Emerging Infectious Diseases | News, Research, Treatment Studies

Respiratory

Internet-Based Communication Training May Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing in RTIs

By

Brandon May

An internet-based training program designed to enhance communication skills in C-reactive protein point of care testing may be helpful in reducing long-term antibiotic prescribing in respiratory tract infections.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Levofloxacin Pharmacokinetics in Children With Drug-Resistant TB Exposure

By

Bradley van Paridon

The dosing recommendations regarding levofloxacin for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis in children may need to be re-evaluated.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Neighborhood Antibiotic Use May Increase Individual Risk for Resistant Bacteria

By

Sweta Gupta

There was an increased personal risk for acquiring fluoroquinolone-resistant E coli in certain neighborhoods with higher fluoroquinolone consumption.

antibiotics, white tablets, pills, medicine

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Considerations for Antibacterial Agents

By

Zahra Masoud

Pharmacometrics represents a set of tools that help streamline the development of antibacterial agents.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Updated Guidelines for the Management of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

By

Bradley van Paridon

The Infectious Disease Society of America has published updated guidelines for the management of asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Prevention

Antibiotics Unnecessary in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Catheter-Related BSI

By

Sweta Gupta

Study findings indicated that withholding antimicrobial therapy in CoNS-CRBSI is not associated with short-term complications or long-term recurrences.

Ebola

Monoclonal Antibody mAb114 Targeting Ebola Is Safe and Well-Tolerated

By

Bradley van Paridon

A single monoclonal antibody, mAb114, targeting the receptor-binding domain of Ebola virus glycoprotein showed linear pharmacokinetics and was easily and rapidly infused.

Prospective audit allows antibiotic stewards to engage the prescribing clinician after the antibiotic has been used, typically after two or three days, to optimize antibiotic treatments.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Immediate Antibiotic Prescription for UTI in Older Patients Increases Survival

By

Zahra Masoud

Patients aged >65 years with a UTI may have an increased risk for septicemia and death within 60 days if antibiotic treatment is deferred or not prescribed.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Moxifloxacin Not Superior to Ethambutol for Recurrent Tuberculosis

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

Replacing ethambutol with moxifloxacin has not shown efficacy in tuberculosis treatment success in an 8-week trial.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Oral Fosfomycin Safe and Effective for MDR Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

3g of once-daily fosfomycin for 1 week followed by 3g every 48 h for 6 to 12 weeks is a safe and effective therapy for chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a serious condition that has been reported to affect between 30% and 50% of people who are HIV positive vs ≤20% of those who are HIV negative.2 The condition has been associated with elevated immunoglobulin E levels, eosinophilia, and possible Th1-Th2 imbalances.2,12 Because nearly all patients with AIDS demonstrate Th1-Th2 imbalances, they are at particularly high risk for atopic dermatitis.2 Patients generally present with chronic, red, thick, lichenified plaques and severe, incessant pruritus that can have an impact on daily function and sleep and reduce quality of life significantly.13 Isolated pruritic papules are sometimes observed. The hands, face, and eyelids, and areas of the body with large skin folds are most often affected; however, inflammatory flare-ups can affect the entire body and might necessitate hospitalization.13

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

DRESS Associated With Agranulocytosis in a Patient Treated With Oxacillin

By

Diana Ernst, RPh

A recent report published in the American Journal of Case Reports describes a rare case of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)-induced agranulocytosis in a patient treated with the beta-lactam antibiotic oxacillin.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Ceftazidime/Avibactam Approved for Pediatric Use to Treat Complicated Intra-Abdominal, UTIs

By

Diana Ernst, RPh

The FDA has expanded the approval of Avycaz to include pediatric patients aged ≥3 months for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Effect of Antibiotic Stewardship on Fluoroquinolone Prescribing in Hospital

By

Bradley van Paridon

Hospital-based stewardship interventions were associated with decreased fluoroquinolone prescriptions during hospitalization, but not at discharge.

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Microbiology Testing Has Suboptimal Effect on Antibiotic Stewardship

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

A small percentage of microbiologic test results are used to direct the antibiotic stewardship processes.

Preauthorization of broad-spectrum antibiotics and prospective review after two or three days of treatment should form the cornerstone of antibiotic stewardship programs to ensure the right drug is prescribed at the right time for the right diagnosis, according to recommendations included in the new guidelines

Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance

Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Discontinuation May Increase Survival

By

Infectious Disease Advisor Contributing Writer

Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic discontinuation was linked with greater rates of survival and reduced antibiotic utilization in critically ill individuals.