Articles tagged with Acute Infections
A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found a significant 'antibiotic culture' in US hospital ICUs, with up to 70% of patients receiving unnecessary antibiotics. The preference for antibiotics is driven by urgency, hierarchy, and uncertainty, leading to increased use despite antimicrobial stewardship guidelines.
A recent study found an unusual peak in RSV hospital admissions in the third quarter of 2021, nearly doubling typical annual numbers. The surge in cases was unexpected, with low hospitalizations reported in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers examine how chronological and biological age impact vaccine effectiveness, finding that both factors influence immune system capacity to mount responses. The study highlights the need for further research into 'immune aging' risk and departures from healthy aging.
Scientists have identified a compound that prevents C. difficile infection caused by multiple strains of the bacterium, including those causing serious illness. Researchers are now developing new drug candidates to prevent serious C. diff infections in people. The research also explores how diet and sex affect C. diff infection severity.
A new study warns of a rise in potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria found along parts of the US coast, driven by global warming. The number of Vibrio vulnificus infections has increased from 10 to 80 per year over 30 years, with cases now found further north than ever before.
The study found that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of long COVID, while factors such as being overweight, female, smoker, or over 40 increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Vaccination halves people's risk of developing long Covid
A cohort study found that nirmatrelvir treatment within five days of a positive COVID-19 test result was associated with reduced post-COVID-19 condition risk, regardless of vaccination status and prior infection history. The study suggests that nirmatrelvir may reduce the risk of long COVID across the risk spectrum.
Researchers from China have identified inosine as a potential broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory agent that improves survival in mice infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study also highlights TBK1 as a promising target for inhibiting cytokine storms and mitigating acute inflammatory lung injury.
The new test helps detect new HIV infection and follows current guidelines for testing patients on HIV prevention medication. The study identified successful efforts and opportunities for process improvement during the first three months of implementation.
New research reveals that children's immune systems have a strong initial reaction to coronavirus but don't develop long-lasting memory T cells like adults do. This means they are at risk of getting sick when reinfected and may experience an immune over-reaction, leading to severe symptoms.
A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that promoting autophagy with rapamycin restores intestinal barrier function during sepsis. The study also identifies the PLK1-mTOR axis as a crucial regulator of autophagy and intestinal barrier dysfunction, providing novel insights for treatment of sepsis.
The December issue of CHEST journal features articles on COVID-19 lessons learned and future pandemic preparedness. The journal also explores various topics in chest medicine, including asthma, critical care, and sleep medicine.
Researchers identified two molecularly distinct subsets of long COVID symptoms with opposing gene expression patterns during acute COVID-19. These findings suggest multiple independent processes leading to different long COVID symptoms, which are already present during the acute infection.
Research suggests that long COVID patients share similar lingering negative effects on physical, mental, and social well-being with individuals who have other illnesses. The study found moderate-to-severe residual symptoms in 40% of COVID-positive participants and 54% of those who tested negative.
A new study finds that COVID-19 patients exhibit higher liver stiffness months after infection, indicating possible long-term liver damage. The study also suggests that even pre-pandemic patients showed increased liver stiffness, likely due to changing referral patterns during the pandemic.
A Rutgers study found that COVID-19 patients, especially those treated with antibiotics, experience significant disruptions in their gut microbiome balance. This imbalance may lead to the development of targeted probiotic supplements to improve treatment outcomes.
A systematic review of 36 studies found that influenza vaccination reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 20% and poor outcomes like ICU admission and death by 17-31%. The findings suggest that routine influenza vaccination could offer non-specific immunity against COVID-19 symptoms.
A cross-sectional study found that at least one post-COVID-19 symptom occurred in 59.7% of hospitalized patients and 67.5% of non-hospitalized patients two years after infection. The study suggests that small differences in symptoms at the onset of COVID-19 existed between hospitalization status.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found significant long-term morbidity in children, adolescents, and adults after COVID-19 infection. Children and adolescents are at risk of post-COVID-19 syndrome, with rates of malaise, cough, and headache increased compared to controls.
A new study by Ochsner pharmacist Kevin Lin suggests that oral cephalosporins are as safe and effective as fluoroquinolones for treating acute kidney infections. The study's findings support the use of narrower-spectrum antibiotics to reduce antimicrobial resistance, a growing concern in healthcare.
Researchers developed a faster, more affordable method to analyze serological data and predict COVID-19 wave behavior. The study showed that vaccination boosted immunity, with hybrid immunity producing higher protection levels. Antibody levels rose quickly after the first dose, especially in cities where case numbers were highest.
A study of 127,000 patients with positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 tests found elevated health care use six months post-infection. This suggests that healthcare systems should consider long-term strategic planning to address expected increased use.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 250,000 patients found that those infected with COVID-19 used more healthcare services in the 6 months following their infection. The study revealed a 4% increase in encounters, including virtual visits and emergency department visits, resulting in over 27,000 extra encounters.
A new study by researchers at UTHealth Houston found that children infected with COVID-19, but not hospitalized, can still develop long COVID symptoms up to three months past infection. The study also identified risk factors for long COVID in children, including unvaccination and obesity.
A team of researchers found that two SARS-CoV-2 proteins, NSP6 and ORF7a, are essential for activating the NF-κB pathway, leading to elevated cytokine levels. The study suggests that targeting this pathway may offer a strategy to stop the virus.
Researchers found that mothers who didn't transmit HCMV to their infants had higher levels of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, suggesting a non-neutralizing immunity mechanism. This finding has implications for the development of effective HCMV vaccines.
Cognitive impairment can lead to population declines, particularly for species relying on learning and memory. Infections can impact cognitive abilities differently across animals, depending on their survival strategy and pathogen manifestation.
A study found that healthcare workers in non-COVID-19 wards during outbreaks transmitted new infections, highlighting gaps in infection control practices between different acute care wards. In contrast, those working in COVID-19 isolation wards had lower transmission rates.
Scientists have found that prior exposure to Staphylococcus aureus prevents effective vaccination due to immune response memory. To overcome this, the research suggests targeting only the protective component of the protein IsdB, generating a more effective vaccine against MRSA.
A study found that rates of serious complications associated with shoulder surgery are low, but one in 26 patients need further surgery within a year. The effectiveness of some shoulder procedures is doubtful at best, according to experts.
A state health department's swift action halted a nursing-home outbreak of drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Improved hand hygiene, enhanced environmental cleaning protocols, and colonization screening helped contain the spread of the organism, with no additional cases detected after implementation of infection control recommenda...
Researchers identified immune endothelial cells promoting inflammation and developmental endothelial cells supporting cell development, regeneration, and proliferation. The study's findings may lead to targeted treatments for lung infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers used bacteriophage therapy to treat 20 complex, antibiotic-resistant lung infections in a clinical trial, resulting in no adverse reactions. More than half of treated patients experienced symptom improvement or reduced bacterial presence. The study's findings advance the promise of phage therapy as an alternative to traditi...
This study shows how specific brain regions control the immune response during acute stress, highlighting the detrimental effect on fighting off infection. Researchers found that acute stress prompts a major migration of immune cells, diminishing an immune response to viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and four medical societies release recommendations for preventing ventilator-associated events and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia. Evidence-based practices include oral care, managing dysphagia, and multimodal approaches to prevent viral infections.
A new study estimates that RSV-attributable acute lower respiratory infection was responsible for over 100,000 deaths worldwide in children under five in 2019. The study found that infants under six months old are particularly vulnerable to RSV and account for one in five of the total global cases.
Researchers from Clemson University have discovered a promising therapy for toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the microscopic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. The team has enlisted an unlikely ally - the herbicide oxadiazon - in the fight against the single-celled parasite.
A study of over 8 million adults in England found significant increases in neuropsychiatric illnesses after hospitalization for COVID-19 or other severe acute respiratory infections. Risks were similar for both conditions.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy is associated with elevated inflammatory markers in infants, potentially impacting growth and brain development. Researchers emphasize the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women to avoid long-term adverse consequences for their infant.
Five medical societies release recommendations for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in hospitals. The new guidance highlights the need to strengthen infection prevention programs amid worsening rates of these infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet study how the immune system protects against malaria, finding that people who have contracted the disease before develop a tolerance that prevents severe disease. This knowledge can aid in the development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers developed an automated system called Clinical Antimicrobials Susceptibility Test Ramanometry (CAST-R) to identify the best antibiotics for treating acute blood infections. The system uses Raman microspectroscopy and machine learning to achieve rapid and accurate results, outperforming conventional methods in just three hours.
A study led by University of Gothenburg researchers found that comprehensive preventive measures cut catheter-related urinary tract infections (UTIs) in frail elderly patients with hip fractures from 18% to 4%. The interventions included aseptic procedures, training videos, and knowledge testing.
A new study found that severe COVID-19 illness is associated with increased risk of long-term adverse mental health effects. Non-hospitalized patients with a SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to experience depressive symptoms up to 16 months after diagnosis, with those bedridden for seven days or more having higher rates of depress...
Researchers developed a technique to track changes in bacterial mutation frequencies, which can inform initial and switched antibiotics. The study found that rare antibiotic-resistant bacteria can rapidly expand within days in response to treatment.
A new study found that hospital-affiliated emergency physicians prescribed antibiotics to patients with acute respiratory infections nearly twice as often as contractor-supplied physicians. This disparity highlights the need for improved antibiotic stewardship in telemedicine settings.
Researchers found that some painkillers and fever medications may help fight infection, while others can weaken the immune system. The review highlights the need for more studies on the impact of these medicines on infectious diseases.
A new study from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology reveals that two groups of regulatory CD4+ T cells develop at different times to combat acute inflammation. The early Tregs reduce autoimmune damage, while the second wave shuts down the entire immune response to signal infection clearance.
A VA research team found increased risks of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, in individuals who had COVID-19 infection. The study analyzed medical records of nearly 154,000 patients with COVID-19 and compared them to over 11 million people without COVID-19.
A small study found statistically significant improvements in various symptoms, including fatigue and chest discomfort, after EECP therapy in long COVID patients. Researchers believe this is the most plausible explanation for the benefits derived from EECP and its link to long COVID.
A new study found that hospitalized children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to develop neurological symptoms, including headache and altered mental status. The research also showed that these symptoms were more common in kids with MIS-C, a condition characterized by fever, inflammation, and organ dysfunction.
Researchers have identified several factors that can predict the development of long COVID, including the presence of certain autoantibodies, pre-existing Type 2 diabetes, and low cortisol levels. The study found that administering antivirals early in the disease course may also prevent some long COVID symptoms.
The WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute is leading a national study on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) among adults. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and develop effective treatments for this disabling complication.
Researchers at FAU are developing an affordable, disposable self-testing HIV-1 chip that can detect HIV from whole blood samples and measure viral load without refrigeration or skilled technicians. The technology aims to increase access to HIV testing and improve treatment outcomes in any setting.
A recent study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that COVID-19 patients in ICUs have a high risk of developing invasive fungal secondary infections. In fact, the MYCOVID study revealed that 22% of intubated and mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients in ICUs had proven or probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and...
Researchers confirm that skin infections, not just throat infections, trigger acute rheumatic fever, with Māori and Pacific children at highest risk. The study's findings have huge implications for prevention, suggesting a new focus on addressing skin infections to reduce the risk of rheumatic fever in New Zealand and internationally.
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is part of a $470 million RECOVER initiative studying post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in children. The study aims to investigate long-term effects, symptoms and treatments for PASC, such as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that COVID-19 public health measures, such as social distancing and travel restrictions, were associated with a decrease in pink eye emergency department visits. The findings suggest these measures may have helped reduce the spread of infectious conjunctivitis.
Researchers have identified specific bacterial interactions in disease-resistant children that protect against chronic middle ear infections. This discovery could lead to new treatments and preventative measures for Indigenous communities, which are disproportionately affected by the condition.
A new review suggests zinc can reduce the duration of acute viral respiratory tract infections like the common cold and flu. Zinc use has also been linked to reducing symptom severity, particularly during peak illness days.