Hospitalized children are three times less likely to contract C. diff after implementing antibiotic stewardship programs, which also result in significant cost savings. The programs involve reviewing antibiotic use and providing feedback to physicians, leading to a more than three-fold reduction in C. diff rates.
A recent study found that over half of eligible Americans visiting a travel clinic did not receive the recommended measles vaccine, putting them at risk for infection. Vaccination is also essential for preventing hepatitis A outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation, such as Mexico's Tulum resort destination.
A study finds that infections are a common cause of falls among older adults, with urinary tract, bloodstream, and respiratory infections being the most prevalent. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should consider infection as a potential cause of falls in patients, particularly in those with dementia.
A study found nearly 9 million children are susceptible to measles, with nearly 4% of 17-year-olds unvaccinated. The percentage of vaccinated children must remain above 92% to prevent outbreaks.
A study by the University of Virginia found that low-income HIV patients enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans achieved higher viral suppression rates compared to those receiving only medications through direct AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). This approach allows the state to cover more patients in a cost-effective wa...
A study found that counties with higher flu vaccination rates among adults under 65 had a 21% lower chance of elderly adults being diagnosed with flu-related illness. Community-wide vaccination may boost protection provided by individual vaccination.
Over 30 years of data from San Francisco shows improved survival rates for AIDS patients, but a third still die within five years after initial opportunistic infection. Better prevention and treatment strategies are crucial to address lingering mortality risks.
A study of antibiotic shortages from 2001 to 2013 found that 148 antibiotics were affected, with an upward trend starting in 2007. Many involved gold-standard therapies for life-threatening infections with limited alternative treatment options, raising concerns about patient care.
Researchers found that nasal drops of harmless bacteria can inhibit the spread of meningococcal disease-causing bacteria. The study suggests a possible new approach for preventing outbreaks using a related but harmless type of bacteria, which appeared to prevent the disease-causing pathogen from colonizing the upper airway.
A case report published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases reveals that a woman who underwent fecal microbiota transplant for a recurrent C. difficile infection rapidly gained weight, becoming obese. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid selecting stool donors who are overweight to minimize the risk of similar outcomes.
A study found that taking antibiotics for diarrhea while traveling increases the risk of colonizing drug-resistant bacteria, such as ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Travelers returning home with these bacteria can unknowingly spread them to their own countries, posing a serious public health threat.
A randomized controlled trial found the high-dose flu vaccine produced a stronger immune response in frail older adults living in long-term care facilities. The study suggests the high-dose vaccine may be the better option for this population to protect against flu.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to detect Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi causing pneumonia by analyzing patients' breath samples. The test identified 94% of patients with invasive aspergillosis, making it a potential tool for earlier and more targeted treatment.
A study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America found that social networking strategies are more efficient and targeted, resulting in 2-1/2 times more positive test results. As many as one in five HIV-positive people is unaware of their infection, making testing critical to prevent disease spread.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has significantly reduced serious infections, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant superbugs, among children under five years old. The vaccine's effectiveness led to the early achievement of the Healthy People 2020 goal of reducing antimicrobial-resistant invasive pneumococcal disease.
Antibiotic stewardship programs in hospitals improve care for hospitalized children by reducing unnecessary antibiotics and shortening hospital stays. Children who received program recommendations were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days.
A study found that college athletes playing football, soccer, and other contact sports are more likely to carry MRSA, increasing their risk of infection. Experts recommend practices like frequent hand washing, covering open wounds, and not sharing personal equipment to reduce the spread of the superbug.
A study of 6,800 outpatients found antiviral therapy was given to only 19% of those at high risk for complications, while antibiotics were prescribed to 30%. The findings suggest a need for increased education on appropriate use in outpatient settings.
A new pilot study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that using frozen stool from healthy, unrelated donors was safe and effective in treating patients with relapsing diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile. The treatment was equally effective whether given via a colonoscope or a nasogastric tube.
A new study finds that shingles significantly increases the risk of stroke in the first six months after symptoms appear. However, patients treated with oral antiviral medication for their shingles may experience lower stroke risks compared to those not treated.
A simple change in urine culture reporting reduced unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions by 76% among hospitalized patients at low risk for UTIs. The study suggests that modifying how test results are reported to clinicians can improve prescribing practices and patient safety.
A new study found that antiretroviral therapy has saved 2.8 million years of life in South Africa since 2004, with projections of an additional 15.1 million years saved by 2030. Aggressive HIV testing and treatment strategies could further increase these benefits.
A new study suggests that rotavirus vaccination can also protect children against seizures, with a reduced risk of 20% compared to unvaccinated children. The researchers found that fully vaccinated children had fewer seizure-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
The updated HIV care guidelines recommend focusing on preventive care, including screening for high cholesterol, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Primary care physicians should also be familiar with HIV care recommendations to provide comprehensive care to patients with HIV infection.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has launched a new open access journal, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, which will publish clinical, translational, and basic research findings in infectious diseases. The journal will be fully peer-reviewed and accessible online at no cost.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends investing in new diagnostic tests that can identify the bug causing an infection faster and provide results more accurately. These tests would help protect antibiotics and ensure patients receive the best treatment for various infectious diseases.
A new study reveals that fewer US adolescents have antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), making them more susceptible to genital infections. The prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies declined among 14-19 year olds by nearly 23% and among 20-29 year olds by over 9%.
A study published at IDWeek 2013 found that low-income girls from Spanish-speaking families were less likely to receive the HPV vaccine due to a lack of encouragement from healthcare providers, while English-speaking parents cited concerns over vaccine safety and perceived risk. The findings highlight the importance of culturally sensi...
Early research shows that an investigational norovirus vaccine can reduce the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, such as vomiting and diarrhea, by 52 percent. The vaccine targets two common genotypes of norovirus and appears to be well-tolerated.
Hospitalized HIV patients are more likely to experience medication errors when cared for by hospital providers unfamiliar with HIV therapy complexities. Involing an infectious diseases specialist can significantly reduce these errors, correcting them in 68% of cases versus 32% without
A study analyzing two national surveys found that antibiotics are prescribed in 60% of sore throat visits and 73% of acute bronchitis visits, despite being ineffective for viral infections. The misuse of antibiotics contributes to the creation of antibiotic-resistant superbugs, posing a public health threat.
A study found a pill-based fecal transplant to be effective in stopping recurrent C. diff infections, achieving a 100% success rate among patients. The treatment involves taking capsules containing fecal bacteria, rebalancing the gut microbiome and preventing future infections.
Hospitalized patients with severe infections like meningitis and C. diff. experience improved outcomes and shorter hospital stays when treated by infectious diseases specialists. ID consultation reduces readmission rates, ICU days, and total Medicare costs.
A recent study found that diabetic patients taking oral fluoroquinolones have a higher risk of severe blood sugar-related problems compared to those taking other antibiotics. The increased risk was low, but clinicians should consider this when treating diabetic patients with fluoroquinolones, especially moxifloxacin.
A Minnesota high school dance team banquet led to a strep throat outbreak among 18 people who consumed cooked pasta. DNA fingerprinting revealed the bacteria isolated from throats matched those found in the pasta.
A new guide from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Society for Microbiology provides guidance on using laboratory tests to diagnose infectious diseases. The guide highlights key findings, including the importance of accurate lab results and proper specimen collection and management.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only one new antibiotic since the Infectious Diseases Society of America launched its 10 x '20 Initiative in 2010. Despite this, only seven new drugs are in development to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli bacteria.
A study suggests a link between untreated depression and decreased response to the shingles vaccine in older adults. Depression treatment, however, boosts cell-mediated immunity and increases vaccine effectiveness.
A study found that 26% of influenza patients released virus into the air during routine care, with some 'super-emitters' transmitting more than 32 times more virus. Current infection control recommendations may not be adequate to protect providers from influenza exposure.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that vaccinating children against rotavirus indirectly protects unvaccinated adults from severe diarrhea and vomiting. The study suggests pediatric immunization may be more cost-effective than previously thought due to reduced health care costs among adults.
A Danish study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV patients who smoke lose more years of life to smoking than to HIV infection. Researchers estimated the effect of smoking on mortality and life expectancy among nearly 3,000 HIV-infected patients treated in Denmark from 1995 to 2010.
A new study suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in older women may represent reactivation of the virus, rather than a new infection. Nearly 90% of HPV infections were detected in women with multiple lifetime sexual partners, highlighting the need for further research on HPV persistence and reactivation.
New IDSA guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing and treating prosthetic joint infections, which affect up to 20,000 people each year. The guidelines recommend multidisciplinary teams and evidence-based treatment, including debridement, prosthesis replacement, and amputation as last resort.
A new study found that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is safe for seniors, with minor injection site reactions being the most common adverse event. The study's findings support the recommendation that older adults receive the vaccine to protect themselves and others from pertussis.
A 15-year analysis shows that state-of-the-art HIV care improves health outcomes across all patient groups, including those most affected by the disease. Comprehensive care models with multiple levels of support lead to better clinical outcomes.
Researchers found that urban infants had lower rates of human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infections than suburban infants. Adenovirus infections were more common in urban babies, suggesting a potential link to altered lung development or airway function.
New guidelines from Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend penicillin or amoxicillin for confirmed strep throat infections. The guidelines also advise against tonsillectomy for children with recurrent strep throat unless in specific cases.
A nationwide study found inconsistent standards for medical exemptions from kindergarten immunization requirements across states. The research suggests that granting more accountability to parents and physicians may ensure valid medical exemptions are used appropriately.
A new study links nasal irrigation with contaminated tap water to rare disease Naegleria fowleri infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports two fatal cases in Louisiana where the organism was found in home water systems, highlighting the importance of using safely treated water for sinus irrigation.
A long-term study found increased deaths from both liver-related and non-liver diseases in patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections who had not cleared their infection. Chronic HCV infections can lead to increased mortality, even in people without symptoms.