Kenneth Bender, PharmD, MA

Shortening the OraQuick HCV antibody test from 20 to 5 minutes reduced false positives and unnecessary follow-up RNA testing, but detected fewer viremic individuals.

A wearable health monitor synced with a smartphone app could enable remote detection of early SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The role of oral vancomycin in preventing recurrence of C difficile infection (CDI) in at-risk persons receiving systemic antibiotic for non-CDI infection remains unclear after randomized trial.

Study findings underscore value of obtaining sputum culture prior to initiating antibiotics for greater detection of pathogens without opportunistic bacteria of uncertain clinical relevance.

Long-acting lipoglycopeptides were as effective as daily standard-of-care antibiotics in step-down regimens for serious infections.

Bacteria genetically engineered to express human chemokine to enhance wound healing demonstrates direct activity against MDR bacteria in-vitro.

An "alarmingly" wide treatment gap for antimicrobial-resistant infections in under resourced countries is attributed to multiple factors including barriers to access.

Primaquine safely and effectively blocks malaria transmission across age-groups and different rates of regional transmission, leading to call for lower, pediatric-appropriate dose formulation.

The INSPIRE 3 trial demonstrates that computerized order entry recommendation prompts can reduce empiric use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in favor of targeted treatment for skin and soft tissue infections.

A surge in invasive group A Streptococcal (IGAS) infections in children marked by more virulent strains followed a reduction in cases coinciding with protective measures for the pandemic.

One hospital related the evolution of resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in its ICU to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients with suspected sepsis in the emergency department are twice as likely to survive at 28 days when antibiotics are started within 1 hour.

This is the second installment of a 2-part report on a new guideline on candidiasis from the European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ECMM) highlights selected treatment recommendations.

This first of a 2-part report on new guideline from the European Confederation for Medical Mycology (ECMM) summarizes diagnostic considerations; with part 2 describing recommended treatments.

A machine learning assessment agrees with an evaluation based on factors identified by infectious diseases experts that IDSA guidelines for treating uncomplicated UTI, last issued in 2011, remain valid today.

An inoculum effect in methicillin-susceptible S aureus infective endocarditis is suspected factor in higher all-cause 30-day mortality with cephazolin treatment than with oxacillin.

Levofloxacin was associated with statistically significant reduction in tuberculosis developing in household contacts of persons with multidrug- resistant TB in a meta-analysis, but not in the constituent controlled trials.

Children with invasive candidiasis had successful outcome whether IV antifungal treatment was completed or converted to enteral to reduce risk of infusion site infections and costs.

Oral omadacyline or linezolid was equally efficacious to intravenous dosing for acute bacterial skin infections, and associated with less cost and risks.

Promptly vaccinating the "ring" of contacts and contacts-of-contacts along with standard infection control measures interrupted Ebola transmission in the DRC.

Selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and beta-adrenergic blockers among agents with potential to mitigate chronic wound infections.

Randomized controlled trial rates PCR-based molecular testing over traditional culture-sensitivity in guiding treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.

Study finds optimal timing of annual COVID-19 booster depends on regional transmission patterns and if/when breakthrough infection has occurred.

Study finds antibiotic selection generally follows CAP guidelines but identifies determinants of frequently longer treatment durations.

Reactogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 with inactivated influenza vaccine was similar whether given at same time or separated by 1-2 weeks.

Women were found more likely than men to die following Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in both a national cohort study and a meta-analysis.

Investigators propose limiting initial use of antibiotics for group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children after finding placebo noninferior in reducing symptoms.

Forty percent of the dose of the PCV 13 vaccine, but not of the PCV 10 or lower dose, was found noninferior to full doses when immunizing infants in Kenya.

In the second installment of a 2-part series on this form of guided therapy, the lead investigator describes findings and the potential of biomarkers in antibiotic stewardship.

In part 1 of a 2-part story, an investigator discusses the use of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein guided protocols for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).