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Dartmouth researchers offer new insights into how antibodies function against HSV

Researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and Thayer School of Engineering have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how antibodies combat herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. The study reveals that antibody effector functions play a critical role in protecting against HSV, which may lead to new treatments for n...

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2024

A Chinese Medical Journal Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Review looks at the mechanisms of ‘long COVID’

Researchers document various reasons for long-term clinical symptoms in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Key findings include immune system alterations, chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and mitochondrial issues contributing to post-COVID syndrome.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal - Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 12, 2024

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles RECOVER Study collaborators publish comprehensive report on long COVID symptoms in children

A comprehensive report on pediatric long COVID symptoms has been published, revealing clues to risk factors and common symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and musculoskeletal pain. The study found that older age, more severe initial infection, and underlying medical conditions are associated with an increased risk of long COVID.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 12, 2024

New cell therapy shows promise with ARDS patients

A new type of cell therapy has shown promising results in improving survival rates and reducing pneumonia among critically ill ARDS patients recovering from severe Covid-19. The invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapy, known as agenT-797, triggered an anti-inflammatory response and activated anti-viral immunity.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2024

Large multicenter clinical trial finds that antiseptic containing iodine reduces surgical-site infections in patients with extremity fractures

A large multicenter clinical trial found that an antiseptic containing iodine resulted in about one-quarter fewer post-surgical infections in patients with limb fractures compared to another frequently used skin antiseptic. The study included nearly 8,500 patients across the US and Canada.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 1, 2024

Innovative COVID-19 analysis supports prevention protocols in health care settings

Researchers analyzed electronic health records and contact tracing data to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention measures implemented during the pandemic. Universal masking was found to be a crucial factor in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in healthcare settings, with airborne negative pressure rooms and N95 respirator masks no...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 16, 2024

Long COVID happens in nursing homes, too

A new study reveals that COVID-19 can leave a lasting impact on older adults living in nursing homes, causing them to need more help with daily activities and experience a decline in brain function. The study found that those who tested positive for COVID had effects that lasted up to nine months.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 21, 2023

Long COVID in women may be linked to inflammation levels at peak of infection, new research suggests

A study of 144 Covid survivors found that women with elevated inflammatory biomarkers during the acute phase were more likely to experience lingering symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and sleep disturbance. This research sheds light on a potential link between inflammation and persistent Long Covid symptoms in women.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalImmunity Inflammation and Disease·DateNov 7, 2023

Antibiotics for common childhood infections no longer effective

A study led by the University of Sydney found that many antibiotics for childhood infections have less than 50% effectiveness, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths globally. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance a top public health threat, emphasizing the urgent need for updated guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia·DateOct 31, 2023

Post-COVID condition is not linked to ongoing infection or active brain damage

A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found no correlation between post-COVID condition and ongoing viral infection or active brain damage. The study analyzed 25 participants with confirmed post-COVID condition, six without residual symptoms, and 17 control subjects, revealing undetectable SARS-CoV-2 antigens in all samples.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateOct 25, 2023

Large clinical trial by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, HCA Healthcare, and UCI Health identifies best strategy to prevent life-threatening health care-associated ICU infections

A large multi-state study found that mupirocin ointment is highly effective at preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections in critically ill patients, outperforming an antiseptic solution. The study involved over 800,000 ICU patients in 137 hospitals and showed a durable benefit from mupirocin.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 10, 2023

Study shows how ‘superbacteria’ were prevented from spreading in a large tertiary hospital

A recent study conducted at the University of São Paulo's Medical School found that isolating patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in emergency departments (ER) for over two days can significantly reduce CRE transmission. The researchers also discovered that the ER structure, including bed layout and hand hygiene...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 2, 2023

Brief dialysis may be best for some kidney patients

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that patients with acute kidney injury on outpatient dialysis may not need lifelong treatment if they have the potential to recover. The study tracked data from over 1,700 patients and showed that approximately three-quarters of those who recovered kidney function discontinued dialysis with...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 28, 2023

Reassessing COVID-19 precautions in 2023

The article discusses the need to reassess COVID-19 precautions in 2023, particularly for patients with hematologic malignancies. The researchers highlight the increased risk of poor response to vaccination and worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection among these patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 27, 2023

Mount Sinai receives $6.2 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation for the clinical care of long Lyme disease

The Mount Sinai Hospital's Cohen Center will expand its research and clinical care to include 'long Lyme Disease/Lyme+', exploring key similarities and differences with long COVID. The center will offer novel therapies, including virtual reality and non-invasive brain stimulation technologies, as well as personalized cognitive rehabili...

New guidance: Bridging the gap between what we know and what we do

Medical organizations publish approaches for implementing infection prevention strategies that consider facility conditions, team communications, and leadership support. The guidance aims to bridge the 'knowing-doing' gap by providing practical tools and resources for successful implementation.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 11, 2023

Vaccine candidate prevents diarrhea, improves growth in animal model

A vaccine originally developed to prevent bacteria-caused diarrhea has been found to also help infant nonhuman primates grow faster, according to a new study. The researchers found that vaccinated baby monkeys were taller than the unvaccinated when measured from head to toe, with a significant improvement in growth rate.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2023

CHEST releases clinical practice guideline on antithrombotic therapy in arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism in COVID-19

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has released a new clinical guideline for managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with COVID-19-related arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to improve risk-evaluation and treatment course.

SourceAmerican College of Chest Physicians·Journalthe journal CHEST·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 29, 2023

Updated guidance shows how hospitals should protect patients from resistant infections

The updated guidance emphasizes the importance of antimicrobial stewardship to reduce MRSA infection rates. It also recommends surveillance for asymptomatic carriers and decolonization for those colonized with MRSA. Effective hand hygiene and cleaning practices remain crucial in preventing MRSA transmission.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 27, 2023

People who preserve ‘immune resilience’ live longer, resist infections

A multinational study identified immune resilience as a critical factor influencing life span, HIV/AIDS, flu, sepsis mortality, recurrent skin cancer, and COVID-19 mortality. Individuals with optimal levels of immune resilience were more likely to resist infections and recover from inflammatory stressors.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 13, 2023

“Choosing Wisely” interventions can reduce antibiotic overuse at safety-net hospitals, UCLA-led research suggests

A statewide pay-for-performance intervention based on Choosing Wisely reduced rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections from 43% to 25%. This reduction occurred without measurable harms at safety-net hospitals serving disadvantaged patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2023