Infectious Disease

The AJMC® Infectious Disease compendium is a comprehensive resource for news and interviews about the viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that create illness and outbreaks.

Latest News

RSV risk survey | Image credit: Richelle - stock.adobe.com
Community Pharmacies Hold Key Role in Protecting Older Adults From RSV

November 20th 2024

New research reveals gaps in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) knowledge among older adults and emphasizes the impact community pharmacies can have at improving education and vaccine uptake.

Blood sample tube for RSV test. | Image credit: JUN LI - stock.adobe.com
RSV Vaccine Proven Effective in Reducing RSV-Related Hospitalizations

November 15th 2024

RSV, COVID, Flu vaccines. | Image credit: angellodeco - stock.adobe.com
Impact of RSV on Hospitalizations in US Adults Prior to Vaccine Introduction

November 14th 2024

STI test | Image credit: Saiful52 - stock.adobe.com
STI Epidemic May Be Slowing, CDC Data Suggest

November 13th 2024

RSV vaccine | Peter Hansen - stock.adobe.com
FDA Approves Abrysvo RSV Vaccine for Adults at Increased Risk

October 23rd 2024

More News

Experts on clostridium difficile infection
November 18th 2021

Defining Traditional Risk Factors for Developing C. Diff Infection

Neil Minkoff, MD Dale N. Gerding, MD Jessica Allegretti, MD, MPH Kevin U. Stephens, Sr, JD, MD Karina Abdallah, PharmD
Opening their discussion, panelists elucidate patient factors that may impact risk of developing clostridium difficile infection.
Leslie Kantor, PhD, MPH
November 12th 2021

Dr Leslie Kantor on Communicating Importance of Receiving Both Flu, COVID-19 Vaccines

Leslie Kantor, PhD, MPH, chair and professor of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, discusses the key messages that people need to hear about the continued importance of the flu vaccine, even if they have been immunized for COVID-19.
Email being sent
November 11th 2021

What We’re Reading: Measles Outbreaks Possible; NIH vs Moderna; Mental Health Benefits Expand

AJMC Staff
The World Health Organization and CDC warn of the potential for measles outbreaks; the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Moderna battle over patent rights to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine; a new Kaiser Family Foundation shows employers have increased mental health care offerings.
Review Clarifies Pediatric Treatment of CDI
November 4th 2021

Review Recommends Options for Pediatric Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection

Tony Hagen
Evidence is insubstantial for treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), but authors of a review of available evidence provide recommendations for agents and testing.
What We're Reading
November 3rd 2021

What We’re Reading: CDC Recommends Pfizer Vaccine for Younger Children; Drug Price Reform Agreement; Vaccination Status and Death Benefits

AJMC Staff
The CDC director endorsed a pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years; proposed drug pricing reform will allow Medicare Part D to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies; some employers may not send death benefits to families of employees who die of COVID-19 without being vaccinated.
Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, FASTMH, Baylor College of Medicine
October 30th 2021

Dr Peter Hotez on the Urgent Need for a COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

Maggie L. Shaw
Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, FASTMH, professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and dean, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, and codirector, Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, addresses the approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 and emphasized its benefits far outweigh the rare possibility of myocarditis.
FDA Issues EUA for COVID-19 Vaccine for Children
October 29th 2021

FDA Issues EUA for COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

Allison Inserro
In a long-awaited move, the FDA approved a pediatric dose of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years.
Investigators Elucidate Outcomes and Costs in CDI
October 27th 2021

Investigators Elucidate Outcomes and Costs in CDI

Tony Hagen
In studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2021 meeting, success was reported for RBX2660, a treatment for clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).
Emerging Antibiotic Resistance Predicted With Machine Learning
October 24th 2021

Emerging Antibiotic Resistance Predicted With Machine Learning

AJMC Staff
Many novel traits are shared through gene transfer, but scientists haven’t been able to determine why some bacteria engage in gene transfer while others do not.
c diff image
October 23rd 2021

Study Identifies Possible Molecular Target for Clostridioides difficile Infection Therapies

AJMC Staff
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that Glucosyltransferase domain is a possible molecular target for therapeutic interventions for Clostridioides difficile infection.
Trials Support Interchangeability of Merck’s V114 Vaccine With PCV13 in Infants for Pneumococcal Disease
October 7th 2021

Trials Support Interchangeability of Merck’s V114 Vaccine With PCV13 in Infants for Pneumococcal Disease

Hayden E. Klein
Research presented during IDWeek 2021 showed data on V114, Merck’s investigational 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
WWR banner
October 7th 2021

What We’re Reading: FDA to Decide on Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine; WHO Endorses Malaria Vaccine; Texas Abortion Law Blocked

AJMC Staff
Pfizer and BioNTech ask FDA to authorize their COVID-19 vaccine in children; the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended widespread use of the world’s first malaria vaccine; a US judge blocks Texas’ strict abortion law.
Shoe Soles Are a Major Cause of C difficile Transmission
October 1st 2021

Shoe Soles Are a Major Cause of C difficile Transmission

Hayden E. Klein
Samples from 12 countries suggest shoe soles have a high positivity rate for Clostridium difficile, a strain primarily thought of as a hospital-associated infection.
Bacteria
October 1st 2021

Research Highlights Effect of New Biotherapeutic on Clostridioides difficile Infection

Hayden E. Klein
New research presented at IDWeek 2021 presented data on the microbiota-based live biotherapeutic RBX2660 for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.
Doctors in hospital corridor
September 27th 2021

Readmission Common Following CDI Hospitalization, Study Finds

Jared Kaltwasser
When patients are quickly readmitted, they have higher health care costs, a new study has found.
Receiving email
September 24th 2021

What We’re Reading: CDC Recommends Booster; Vaccine Skepticism Declining; STI Screening Recommendations Updated

AJMC Staff
The CDC says yes to COVID-19 booster shots; a new survey shows vaccine hesitancy and skepticism are falling; the US Preventive Services Task Force updates screening suggestions for 2 sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Sad, sick older man
September 23rd 2021

New Study Questions Classification of “Severe” CDI in Elderly Patients

Jared Kaltwasser
Advanced dementia and serum albumin levels were better predictors of poor outcomes, the investigators said, among older patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI).
graphic of hospital
September 19th 2021

Study: Antibiotic Stewardship Programs Do Not Worsen Outcomes in Elderly Patients

Jared Kaltwasser
A new report shows patient readmissions and mortality dropped among patients aged 65 and older following the institution of an antibiotic stewardship program.
Colleen R. Kelly, MD, FACG, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
September 18th 2021

Dr Colleen R. Kelly on the Lack of Evidence to Support Probiotics for C difficile 

Clinicians are finding that there really is no basis to recommend probiotics for patients with Clostridioides difficile infection, that instead they may cause harm, said Colleen R. Kelly, MD, FACG, gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
FDA Committee Votes Against COVID-19 Vaccine Booster for General Population
September 17th 2021

FDA Committee Votes Against COVID-19 Vaccine Booster for General Population

Laura Joszt, MA Allison Inserro
The advisory committee voted against COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for individuals 16 years and older, but unanimously voted for booster shots for people 65 years and older or who are at high risk of severe COVID-19.
What We’re Reading: Billions Spent on Preventable COVID-19 Hospitalizations; US Seeks to Bar Texas Abortion Law; States Limit Public Health Officials
September 15th 2021

What We’re Reading: Billions Spent on Preventable COVID-19 Hospitalizations; US Seeks to Bar Texas Abortion Law; States Limit Public Health Officials

AJMC Staff
COVID-19 hospitalizations among the unvaccinated cost billions between June and August; the Department of Justice called for a temporary block on the Texas abortion law; legislators limited the power of public health officials in at least 26 states, a report shows.
US to Require Most Firms to Mandate Vaccination Against COVID-19
September 9th 2021

US to Require Most Firms to Mandate Vaccination Against COVID-19

Allison Inserro
The Department of Labor rules will affect employers with 100 or more workers.
doctors in hospital
September 3rd 2021

CDC Data Chart Rises in Health Care–Associated Infections Throughout 2020

Gianna Melillo
New CDC data show an increase in some health care–associated infections during COVID-19.
Race, Ethnicity, and Education Factor Into HPV Diagnosis Gap, Study Suggests
September 1st 2021

Race, Ethnicity, and Education Factor Into HPV Diagnosis Gap, Study Suggests

Hayden E. Klein
The findings of this study suggest possible poor communication about human papillomavirus infection (HPV), the authors said, since they do not align with epidemiologic evidence.
Hospital setting
August 19th 2021

High-Touch Surfaces, Objects Drive C difficile Transmission, Even With Regular Cleaning, Study Says

Jared Kaltwasser
A new mathematical model highlights the challenges of preventing Clostridioides difficile transmission in the hospital.
What We’re Reading: Delta Variant Accounts for 98.8% of Cases; Elective Surgeries on Pause; Racial Health Care Inequities Persist
August 18th 2021

What We’re Reading: Delta Variant Accounts for 98.8% of Cases; Elective Surgeries on Pause; Racial Health Care Inequities Persist

AJMC Staff
Some hospitals may revisit crisis standards of care; Florida hospitals to pause elective surgeries; studies find nearly a quarter of Black Americans with low incomes report fair or poor health care.
Teddy bear and stethoscope to illustrate pediatric care
August 16th 2021

Clinical Decision Support Tool Raises Flu Vaccination Rates in Hospitalized Children

Jared Kaltwasser
A recent study found half of hospitalized children received a flu vaccination when their providers used a clinical decision support tool; however, that is still lower than the 63% national average for all children.
CDC Advisory Committee Endorses Booster Shot for Immunocompromised
August 13th 2021

CDC Advisory Committee Endorses Booster Shot for Immunocompromised

Allison Inserro
The meeting comes a day after the FDA approved a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna in people who have received organ transplants or have other conditions that have damaged their immune systems.
Purple staph bacteria
August 11th 2021

In COVID-19 Era, Modeling Shows Promise in Preventing Health Care–Associated Infections

Jared Kaltwasser
An uptick in modeling and genomic data caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to important infection-prevention measures in health care settings.
Hospital administrator figuring costs
August 7th 2021

Clostridioides difficile Infection Prolongs Hospital Stays, Increases Costs, Says New Study

Jaime Rosenberg
Clostridioides difficile, a bacteria that creates inflammation of the colon and causes symptoms like infectious diarrhea, is of particular risk among hospitalized patients.
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