Infectious Diseases
News from the FDA/CDC
Flu season takes another turn for the worse
Season breaks nearly decade-old record – and not in a good way.
From the Journals
Are two drugs as good as three in maintaining HIV suppression?
Dual-drug regimen comparable to triple-drug regimen in maintaining virologic suppression of HIV-1 in adults.
From the Journals
DMARDs may hamper pneumococcal vaccine response in systemic sclerosis patients
Vaccination before DMARD initiation or while on a drug holiday might be a good idea.
News from the FDA/CDC
U.S. influenza activity widespread to start 2018
In one way at least, this flu season is already worse than 2016-2017.
From the Journals
Novel herpes zoster vaccine is more cost effective than old vaccine
Cost-effectiveness can be an important factor in considering patient treatment for herpes zoster.
Conference Coverage
FDA panel doesn’t back inhaled ciprofloxacin for chronic lung infections
The panel voted against recommending the new drug application for Linhaliq, ciprofloxacin dispersion for inhalation.
From the Journals
Common food additive makes C. difficile more virulent
Since trehalose has become commercially available, epidemic strains of C. difficile are on the rise.
From the Journals
Risks identified for drug-resistant bacteremia in cirrhosis
Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organism bacteremia was 33% in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.
News
Don’t give up on influenza vaccine
The influenza vaccine needs some help with its image.
News
FDA bans 24 ingredients from OTC health care antiseptic products
Affected products include health care personnel hand washes and hand rubs, surgical hand scrubs and hand rubs, and patient antiseptic skin...
Conference Coverage
Majority of influenza-related deaths among hospitalized patients occur after discharge
SAN DIEGO – More than 50% of hospitalized patients who died after a diagnosis of influenza expired within 30 days of hospital discharge.