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Five African Countries Facing Anthrax Outbreaks

The New York Times (12/19, Mandavilli) reports, “Five African countries are battling outbreaks of anthrax, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far and 20 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.” However, “the official tally belies confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which may complicate the efforts needed to contain them.” Just 35 cases “have been confirmed with lab tests. That is not unusual or unreasonable, experts said, especially in regions with limited resources. But at least in Uganda, many of the presumed cases have resulted in negative tests for anthrax, raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating.”

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New Leishmaniasis Drugs Face Hurdle Of Funding Large Trials, Navigating Regulatory Approval Processes

The New York Times (12/19, Nolen) reports, “Among the so-called ‘neglected tropical diseases,’ many experts believe leishmaniasis is in a class of its own in terms of the lack of progress, in the 120 years since it was first identified, to help the two million people who contract it each year.” However, several new treatments are “being developed by the Program for the Study and Control of Tropical Diseases,” all of which “are far less toxic, onerous or expensive than what exists now. But a big hurdle still stands in the way of getting them to the millions of people who need them.” There is little profit “to be made on a drug for a condition that overwhelmingly affects the poor, and academic or public health institutes rarely have the resources to push a drug through to the end of the” drug approval “process, said Marcela Vieira, a Brazilian intellectual property lawyer with an expertise in drug development and access.”

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Prior Authorization May Reduce Access, Uptake Of HIV PrEP

Infectious Disease Advisor (12/19, Barowski) reports, “Prior authorization requirements may be directly associated with reduced access and uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in areas with high rates of HIV diagnoses, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open.” In the study, researchers “evaluated specialty tiering for 2 PrEP regimens: emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) and FTC/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). The primary outcomes were annual variation (2018-2020) in qualified health plan coverage (QHP) and prior authorization requirements for FTC/TDF and FTC/TAF.”

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Daily Toothbrushing Linked To Lower Risk Of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, Study Finds

MedPage Today (12/18, Kahn) reports, “Daily toothbrushing was associated with lower rates of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, according to results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.” In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, “daily toothbrushing was associated with a reduced risk of HAP (risk ratio [RR] 0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.81) and a reduced risk of ICU mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.95), reported” researchers. Healio (12/18, Rhoades, Hornick) reports, “There was also a significant reduction in pneumonia incidence among patients on invasive mechanical ventilation whose teeth were brushed daily (RR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.57-0.82) but not among those who were not on invasive mechanical ventilation.”

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Study Finds COVID-19 Infection Linked To Decreased Fitness, Exercise Capacity

Infectious Disease Advisor (12/18, Nye) reports, “COVID-19 infection is associated with decreases in self-reported fitness and exercise capacity among military service members, according to study results published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.” In the study, “patients with vs without a history of COVID-19 infection were more likely to report new or increased difficulty with exercising (38.7% vs 18.4%; P <.01) and daily activities (30.4% vs 12.7%; P <.01), and decreased fitness test scores (42.7% vs 26.2%; P <.01).”

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Patients With Nonsuppressed HIV Infection More Likely To Experience Severe Mpox Infection Compared To Those With Suppressed Or No HIV Infection, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (12/18, Nye) reports, “Among patients with mpox...those with nonsuppressed HIV infection are more likely to experience severe disease than HIV-negative patients and HIV-positive patients with suppressed viral loads, according to study results published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.” In the study, “the rate of severe mpox was highest in patients with nonsuppressed HIV infection (43.3%), followed by those with suppressed HIV infection (18.6%) and those without HIV infection (9.1%).”

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Prevalence Of Transgender-Related Diagnosis Codes Increased Nearly Ninefold In US From 2014 To 2021, With Significant Increases In HIV Testing, PrEP Prescriptions, Data Show

Healio (12/18, Rhoades) reports, “The prevalence of transgender-related diagnosis codes in the United States increased nearly ninefold from 2014 to 2021, with significant increases in HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis prescriptions in this population, data show.” Nonetheless, “researchers pointed out that PrEP use has been low among transgender people, despite them comprising 2% of new HIV cases in 2019, according to CDC data.” As a result, “‘it is important to monitor the use of HIV prevention services, including PrEP, by transgender persons,’ they wrote in Annals of Internal Medicine.”

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Wastewater Surveillance Effectively Detects Upticks In Viral Respiratory Infections, Study Shows

Healio (12/15, Feller) reported, “Wastewater surveillance can effectively detect upticks in viral respiratory infections, which could help identify outbreaks, another study has shown.” In the study, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers “detected influenza A, RSV, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenzavirus, adenovirus, bocavirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, parechovirus, SARS-CoV-2 and four endemic seasonal coronaviruses in the wastewater samples, all of which corresponded to increased and decreased rates of testing for all of the pathogens during the time samples were taken.”

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T2Candida Test Linked To Reduced Time To Invasive Candidiasis Diagnosis, Faster Antifungal Therapy Initiation Among Adults Hospitalized With Septic Shock, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (12/15, Barowski) reported, “T2Candida, a nonculture-based diagnostic test, is associated with reduced time to invasive candidiasis diagnosis, faster antifungal therapy initiation, and reduced antifungal use among adults hospitalized with septic shock. These study results were published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.”

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High-Dose Flu Vaccine Offered Additional Protection Against Influenza, Pneumonia Hospitalization Among Adults Aged 50 To 64 Compared To Standard-Dose Vaccine, Study Finds

Healio (12/15, Feller) reported, “A recombinant influenza vaccine offered additional protection against PCR-confirmed influenza and community-acquired pneumonia hospitalization among adults aged 50 to 64 years compared with a standard-dose vaccine, study results showed.” In the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, among “patients aged between 50 years and age 64 years, 559 participants (or two cases per 1,000) tested positive for influenza in the recombinant vaccine group compared with 925 (2.34 cases per 1,000) positive tests in the standard dose group, for a relative vaccine effectiveness against influenza infection of 15.3%.”

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Rates Of Death, Long-Term Effects, And Hospital Readmissions Were Higher For Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Compared To Those With Seasonal Flu, Data Indicate

MedPage Today (12/15, Kahn) reported, “In patients hospitalized for either COVID-19 or seasonal influenza, rates of death, negative effects on long-term health, and hospital readmissions were high, but less so for the” patients with influenza, “a comparative analysis showed.” In a study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, “over 18 months of follow-up, patients hospitalized with COVID had an increased risk of death compared with those hospitalized for influenza...translating into an excess death rate of 8.62 per 100 persons, reported” researchers.

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Incidence Of Hospital-Associated Respiratory Virus Infections Higher Among Pediatric Patients Than Adult Patients, Study Finds

Healio (12/15, Stulpin) reported, “The incidence of hospital-associated respiratory virus infections [HARVI] was higher among pediatric patients compared with adult patients, according to a study of patients at University of Michigan hospitals.” According to the study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, “HARVI incidences were 8.8 per 10,000 admission days for pediatric patients and 3 per 10,000 admission days for adult patients.”

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Mask Use Has Become Less Common, More Situational Since Height Of Pandemic

The AP (12/17, Hajela) reports that use of face masks in the US appears to have declined since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the article says, “look at it a different way, though: These days, mask-wearing has become just another thing that simply happens in America. In a country where the mention of a mask prior to the pandemic usually meant Halloween or a costume party, it’s a new way of being that hasn’t gone away even if most people aren’t doing it regularly.” Now, mask use “tends to be situational, like the recent decision from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital system to reinstate a mask mandate at its facilities starting Dec. 20 because it’s seeing an increase in respiratory viruses.”

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Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine Combined With Pembrolizumab Reduces Risk Of Recurrence, Death From Melanoma In Trial, Companies Say

Reuters (12/14, Erman) reports, “An experimental messenger RNA cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck & Co paired with Merck’s Keytruda [pembrolizumab] cut the chance of recurrence or death from melanoma by half after three years, showing that benefits demonstrated a year ago have held up over time.” According to the companies, “the combination of the personalized cancer vaccine and Merck’s blockbuster immunotherapy cut the risk of recurrence or death of the most deadly skin cancer by 49% compared with Keytruda alone in the midstage trial.” CNN (12/14, Dillinger) also covers the story.

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Heavy Binge Drinking, High Polygenic Risk Score Linked To Sixfold Higher Risk For Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis, Research Suggests

Healio (12/14, Burba) reports, “Heavy binge drinking and high polygenic risk score [PRS] were associated with a sixfold higher relative excess risk for alcohol-related cirrhosis [ARC], with the presence of diabetes mellitus further increasing the risk, researchers reported.” The analysis “demonstrated that as PRS increased within each alcohol consumption group, there was higher risk for ARC, with the ‘most marked’ effect among those in the heavy binge drinking group.” The findings were published in Nature Communications.

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Mpox Vaccination With Two-Shot, Low-Dose Intradermal Approach Produced Similar Antibody Titers Levels Compared With Standard Subcutaneous Dosing Regimen, Study Finds

MedPage Today (12/14, Kahn) reports, “Mpox vaccination with a two-shot, low-dose intradermal approach produced similar antibody titers levels compared with the standard subcutaneous dosing regimen, an observational study showed.” The findings appeared in a New England Journal of Medicine correspondence.

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Drugmakers Agree To Supply Additional RSV Immunization Doses To US Market

Reuters (12/14, Hunnicutt, Erman, Jackson) reports, “The makers of a respiratory syncytial virus immunization for infants that has been in tight supply will deliver an additional 230,000 doses in January, the White House said on Thursday, after U.S. government officials met with the companies to discuss meeting winter demand.” The new doses of the RSV shot Beyfortus (nirsevimab) “are from supply originally intended for the Southern Hemisphere RSV season, which will be replenished before that season starts later next year, a Sanofi spokesperson said.” The Hill (12/14, Weixel) also covers the story.

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Public Health Officials Say Majority Of People Who Believe They Have A Penicillin Allergy Do Not, Can Safely Use Antibiotic

NBC News (12/14, Edwards) reports, “A growing number of allergists and public health officials nationwide are pushing to prove that the majority of people who believe they have a penicillin allergy are not, in fact, allergic to the antibiotic – and can use it safely.” According to the CDC, “about 10% of the U.S. population report having a penicillin allergy,” although “less than 1% are truly allergic.” Delabeling penicillin allergies, physicians “say, would have major health impacts: faster and more effective treatments for people who have spent their lives avoiding penicillin and related drugs, including amoxicillin, as well as the opportunity to drive down rising antibiotic resistance.”

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CDC Issues Alert Urging Increased Respiratory Vaccine Coverage

Reuters (12/14) reports the CDC “on Thursday issued an alert urging healthcare [clinicians] to increase immunization coverage for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).” According to the agency, “low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in respiratory disease activity, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks.” CNN (12/14, McPhillips) also covers the story.

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The new WHO 2022 category of molecularly defined renal carcinomas: Accessible to practicing pathologists

Abstract Not Available

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Five African Countries Facing Anthrax Outbreaks

New Leishmaniasis Drugs Face Hurdle Of Funding Large Trials, Navigating Regulatory Approval Processes

Prior Authorization May Reduce Access, Uptake Of HIV PrEP

Daily Toothbrushing Linked To Lower Risk Of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia, Study Finds

Study Finds COVID-19 Infection Linked To Decreased Fitness, Exercise Capacity

Patients With Nonsuppressed HIV Infection More Likely To Experience Severe Mpox Infection Compared To Those With Suppressed Or No HIV Infection, Study Finds

Prevalence Of Transgender-Related Diagnosis Codes Increased Nearly Ninefold In US From 2014 To 2021, With Significant Increases In HIV Testing, PrEP Prescriptions, Data Show

Wastewater Surveillance Effectively Detects Upticks In Viral Respiratory Infections, Study Shows

T2Candida Test Linked To Reduced Time To Invasive Candidiasis Diagnosis, Faster Antifungal Therapy Initiation Among Adults Hospitalized With Septic Shock, Study Finds

High-Dose Flu Vaccine Offered Additional Protection Against Influenza, Pneumonia Hospitalization Among Adults Aged 50 To 64 Compared To Standard-Dose Vaccine, Study Finds

Rates Of Death, Long-Term Effects, And Hospital Readmissions Were Higher For Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19 Compared To Those With Seasonal Flu, Data Indicate

Incidence Of Hospital-Associated Respiratory Virus Infections Higher Among Pediatric Patients Than Adult Patients, Study Finds

Mask Use Has Become Less Common, More Situational Since Height Of Pandemic

Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccine Combined With Pembrolizumab Reduces Risk Of Recurrence, Death From Melanoma In Trial, Companies Say

Heavy Binge Drinking, High Polygenic Risk Score Linked To Sixfold Higher Risk For Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis, Research Suggests

Mpox Vaccination With Two-Shot, Low-Dose Intradermal Approach Produced Similar Antibody Titers Levels Compared With Standard Subcutaneous Dosing Regimen, Study Finds

Drugmakers Agree To Supply Additional RSV Immunization Doses To US Market

Public Health Officials Say Majority Of People Who Believe They Have A Penicillin Allergy Do Not, Can Safely Use Antibiotic

CDC Issues Alert Urging Increased Respiratory Vaccine Coverage

The new WHO 2022 category of molecularly defined renal carcinomas: Accessible to practicing pathologists