Home Infectious Disease November 2019 Briefing – Infectious Disease

November 2019 Briefing – Infectious Disease

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for November 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Continuous PPI Use May Increase Risk for Acute Gastroenteritis

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Continuous use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is associated with an increased risk for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) during winter epidemic periods with peak circulation of enteric viruses, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in JAMA Network Open.

Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Examined for Adult, Peds HAIs

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In two reports published online Nov. 25 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, authors present updated summaries of common pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns among health care-associated infections (HAIs) in adult and pediatric patients.

Abstract/Full Text 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text 2 (subscription or payment may be required)

Household Environment Plays Role in MRSA Acquisition

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The household environment plays a key role in the acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

U.S. Life Expectancy Dropped Since 2014 for Working-Age Adults

TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. life expectancy increased from 1959 to 2016 but has been decreasing since 2014, according to research published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Death Toll in Samoa Measles Epidemic Reaches 25

TUESDAY, Nov. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The death toll in a measles epidemic sweeping Samoa has reached 25, and all but one of the victims have been young children, an official said Monday.

AP News Article

Polio Vaccines Causing Polio Cases

MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More children worldwide are being paralyzed by polio viruses from vaccines than from viruses in the wild, according to new data.

AP News Article
More Information: WHO

Maternal Efavirenz May Up Risk for Microcephaly Among Offspring

MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In utero exposure to efavirenz is associated with an increased risk for microcephaly among children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected, according to a study published online Nov. 15 in The Lancet HIV.

Risk for Skin Infections, Diabetes Increase With Statin Use

MONDAY, Nov. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Using statins for as short a time as three months can put patients at risk for developing diabetes and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Electronic Health Record Usability Graded F by Physicians

FRIDAY, Nov. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The usability of current electronic health records (EHRs) is classified as unacceptable, with physician-rated EHR usability independently linked to the odds of burnout, according to a study published online Nov. 14 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

CDC: PCV13 No Longer Routinely Recommended for Adults ≥65

THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is no longer recommended for routine use among adults aged ≥65 years, according to research published in the Nov. 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Recommendations Developed for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis

THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a new clinical practice guideline, published online Nov. 15 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, recommendations are presented for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Employee Premiums, Deductibles Eating Larger Share of Income

THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — During the last decade, health care costs have eaten up a larger share of income for millions of middle-class Americans with employer coverage, according to Trends in Employer Health Care Coverage, 2008-2018, a Nov. 21 report from The Commonwealth Fund.

H. Pylori Infection Must Be Wiped Out to Cut Gastric Cancer Risk

THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Only complete eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, not treatment alone, will reduce the risk for developing stomach cancer, according to a study recently published in Gastroenterology.

Most Infants Susceptible to Measles by 3 Months of Age

THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an elimination setting, most infants are susceptible to measles by age 3 months, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in Pediatrics.

Infection Likely Cause of One in Eight Stillbirths

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most cases of infection-related stillbirth may be due to bacterial pathogens, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Distribution of Self-Test Kits Can Up HIV Awareness

TUESDAY, Nov. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Distribution of HIV self-tests among men who have sex with men (MSM) can increase testing and newly identified infections, according to a study published online Nov. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Bipartisan Bill to Curb Drug Costs Backed by White House

MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A bipartisan Senate bill that would curb prescription drug costs is being backed by the Trump administration as a new poll shows that many Americans think the White House has done little to tackle the issue.

AP News Article

White House Wants Hospitals, Insurers to Provide Actual Costs of Care

MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — New rules requiring hospitals and insurers to disclose the actual prices for common tests and procedures before they are performed have been proposed by the Trump Administration.

AP News Article

Studies Confirm Safety of 9-Valent HPV Vaccination

MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The safety of the 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine (9vHPV) has been confirmed, according to two studies published online Nov. 18 in Pediatrics.

Abstract/Full Text – Shimabukuro (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Donahue (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Common TB Vaccine Associated With Lower Lung Cancer Rates

MONDAY, Nov. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Childhood vaccination with the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in JAMA Network Open.

Some Progress Made in Slowing Antibiotic Resistance-Linked Deaths

FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Progress has been made in slowing antibiotic resistance-associated deaths, but more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year in the United States, according to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2019

Treatment Response Rates High for Seniors With Hep C Infection

FRIDAY, Nov. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, sustained viral response (SVR) rates are similar for those aged 65 years and older and those younger than 65, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

First Ebola Vaccine Approved by European Commission

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The world’s first Ebola vaccine has been approved by the European Commission, and it was quickly prequalified by the World Health Organization.

ABC News Article

Survey of U.S. Registered Nurses Points to Worsening Shortages

THURSDAY, Nov. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 AMN Healthcare Survey of Registered Nurses raises concerns about the outlook for the nursing profession in the United States.

2019 Survey of Registered Nurses

Syringe Exchange Program Has Positive Impact on HIV Diagnoses

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A syringe exchange program (SEP) has averted thousands of injection drug use (IDU)-associated HIV diagnoses over 10 years in Philadelphia and Baltimore, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

Imaging Rates Continue to Rise Despite Efforts to Reduce

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Despite initiatives to reduce the use of medical imaging, rates continue to rise in both the United States and Ontario, Canada, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Injecting Illegal Drugs Ups Risk for Death After Heart Surgery

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — People who inject drugs (PWID) have shorter survival following cardiac surgery than non-PWID, according to a review published online Nov. 8 in BMC Infectious Diseases.

Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients Often Undervaccinated

TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many pediatric liver transplant recipients are undervaccinated, according to a research letter published in the Nov. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Crowd Diagnosis of STDs Frequently Sought Online

FRIDAY, Nov. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Crowd diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is common online, according to a research letter published in the Nov. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Early Postop Infection Ups One-Year Infection, Mortality Risk

THURSDAY, Nov. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with 30-day postoperative infection have an increased risk for long-term infection and mortality, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in JAMA Surgery.

Mailing HPV Kits to Underscreened Women Can Up Screening

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Mailing human papillomavirus (HPV) kits to underscreened women is associated with increased screening uptake but does not significantly increase precancer detection or treatment, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in JAMA Network Open.

Medical Practices Burdened by Regulatory Requirements

TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The vast majority of group medical practices report that regulatory requirements, including prior authorization and quality payment programs, are burdensome, according to a survey released by the Medical Group Management Association.

Annual Regulatory Burden Survey

Effect of Legislation on School Vaccination Rates May Be Limited

TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Assuming the current rates of medical exemptions persist, the overall exemption rate in California schools is expected to stabilize at 1.87 percent by 2027, according to a research letter published online Nov. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant Cuts Bloodstream Infection in C. diff

TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) who receive treatment with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are less likely to develop a primary bloodstream infection (BSI) than those receiving antibiotics, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Poll: Many Seniors Do Not Follow Instructions Related to Antibiotics

TUESDAY, Nov. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older adults do not follow instructions related to antibiotic use, according to a report published online Nov. 4 based on the results of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.

Seriously Ill Medicare Beneficiaries Face Financial Hardship

MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Seriously ill Medicare enrollees experience considerable financial distress, according to a report published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

Dr. Stephen Hahn Nominated to Head FDA

MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Radiation oncology expert Stephen Hahn, M.D., has been nominated as the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner.

CNN Article

Religious Exemption Rate for Vaccination Up in 2017 to 2018

MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The rate of religious exemptions for vaccination among kindergartners is associated with the availability of personal belief exemptions, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Pediatrics.

CDC: 1 Dead, 8 Hospitalized in Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Ground Beef

MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ground beef tainted with Salmonella has led to 10 known infections across six states, including eight people who were hospitalized, and one death.

Recommendations Developed to Address Clinician Burnout

FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout, a new report published online Oct. 23 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, recommendations are presented to address clinician burnout.

Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout

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