John Parkinson

Hikers in Washington State experienced acute gastroenteritis along the Pacific Crest Trail.

In this week's infectious disease news, the Novavax COVID-19 booster gets authorized in the US; Moderna reports topline data on its influenza-COVID-19 combination vaccine; the differences between live biotherapeutic products and conventional FMTs; and the influence of alcohol on hepatitis C treatment.

Behind the scenes, laboratory professionals are processing tests, assays, and other diagnostics to determine data for clinicians to treat patients.

Without regulations for donation practices for conventional fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), clinicians need to consider which therapeutic agents for recurrent C difficile treatment to utilize.

With its Cherokee Nation Hepatitis C Elimination program, they have worked diligently to increase screening and get people into the continuum of care.

The company plans to begin a phase 3 trial for its mRNA-1083 investigational combination vaccine later this year.

Check out important news you might have missed including the expanded indication for remdesivir to those with severe hepatic impairment; a small study shows that SARS-CoV-2 infects coronary arteries and increases plaque Inflammation; and some antibiotics are associated with C diff Infection.

Steffanie Strathdee, PhD, had to navigate care for her husband who became gravely ill with a multidrug resistant bacterial infection while they were on vacation overseas. He recovered thanks to the use of phage therapy. From that experience, she has dedicated her life to getting phage therapy to the masses.

Small study shows infected macrophages and foam cells cause cytokines to be released and may help explain why patients have cardiovascular complications long after getting the infection.

As we mark this awareness day, education and immunization has helped the United States make great strides in preventing the viral disease, but globally more work needs to be done.

The findings show that treatment with the COVID-19 oral antiviral can develop into different strains and spread.

Toronto, Canada-based Bluedot offers surveillance tracking information to identify trends for viruses and syndromes efficiently to aid public health officials and other key stakeholders to assess situations and make decisions around this data.

The subject is one where it does not garner the attention of other serious health topics, but key stakeholders say it should.

Earlier this year, the company announced its first foray into these types of infections in developing vaccines for the tickborne infection utilizing its mRNA vaccine platform.

In this week's news, learn about a nurse practitioner's experience as both someone who has battled C diff herself and treated patients with the bacterial infection; a new investigational platform for COVID-19 vaccines; and how chronic hepatitis D is identified as the most severe and progressive form of viral hepatitis.

The federal agency says the data shows immunization reduces hospitalizations by more than 57 percent in first 6 months after birth.

This action paves the way for this long-acting injectable to be used in several countries on the European continent.

Sam Aitken, PharmD, president-elect of the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP), discusses how this strategy is one significant part of a complex puzzle to decrease antimicrobial resistance.

The company’s well-known Singles cheese brand is the focus of the recall.

Vaccitech is using a novel approach to address the virus and create a functional cure.

Mollie Lauck, NP, has both battled C diff herself and treated patients with the bacterial infection. In the second installment of our interview, she talks about her clinical approach to patients who might be considered candidates for C diff and specific strategies for infection prevention.

These novel vaccines are utilizing a self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine platform. Study data was reported at the ESWI Influenza Conference in Spain.

A study found variations in treatment initiation, especially showing differences within certain populations, ages, and those with a background of injection drug use.

In this week's news: A CDC committee recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccines; the cost of misinformation during the pandemic; and India is dealing with a Nipah virus outbreak.

The zoonotic virus has claimed 2 lives as Indian officials work to identify potential contacts and get the virus under control.

The federal agency says infants of a certain age should receive this monoclonal antibody to protect against the virus.

In our continuing series with members of the Peggy Lillis Foundation, here is an opportunity to hear about people’s experiences, lessons learned, and the new treatments that can lead to hope and not the hopelessness people have been living with during their ordeals.

The interim analysis of its phase 3 study shows the company’s mRNA-1010 vaccine was efficacious against all 4 A and B influenza strains.

The federal agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation was to authorize and approve the updated 2023-2024 (monovalent, XBB containing) COVID-19 vaccines for persons 6 months of age and older.

Misinformation created unnecessary hospitalizations and mortality and demonstrated the chasm in public health communication.