Antibiotics

In a new study, researchers with the US Department of Veterans Affairs found that metronidazole is as effective as vancomycin for treating mild cases of Clostridium difficile infection, despite new guidelines no longer recommending metronidazole.

Jason Gallagher, PharmD, FCCP, FIDP, FIDSA, BCPS, reflects on 2018 and his first full year as Contagion®'s editor-in-chief.

A novel study from Seddon and colleagues adds to the body of evidence that supports what antimicrobial stewardship programs are so often challenged to do, early de-escalation.

Patients with uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia respond just as well to a 7-day course of antibiotics as they do a 14-day regimen, according to a new study.

Investigators use Salmonella strains to test accuracy and resistance.

Providers in other states can learn from this multiorganization collaborative that aims to improve antimicrobial utilization and prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance across South Carolina.

Dr. Goff and Mr. Nosta discuss how to use Twitter to communicate about infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.

A collaborative, international effort aims to answer tough antimicrobial resistance questions.

Is it time to screen for these bacteria and modify colorectal surgical prophylaxis?

The synthetic novel tetracycline offers a new option for complicated intra-abdominal infections.

The latest report from WHO highlights trends in antimicrobial consumption and use across the world, underscoring the need for international antimicrobial stewardship programs.

New report highlights risks and costs associated with these infections equal to roughly 1 million deaths and $65 billion in the United States.

Brad Spellberg, MD, highlights research that indicate shorter courses of therapy are safer and as effective as longer ones, as well as the importance of randomized controlled trials.

Despite concerning findings and warnings, fluoroquinolones have remained one of the world’s most commonly prescribed antibiotic classes, with the United States accounting for more than 32 million prescriptions in 2015 alone.

Building on decades-old research, scientists in France say they’ve developed an effective rectal delivery formulation of an antibiotic used to save infants with life-threatening neonatal sepsis.

A new study by investigators in Japan finds that earlier antibiotic stewardship intervention decreased antibiotic usage and costs and were associated with reduced rates of antibiotic resistance.

Because of the recent concern in the United States around the rise of resistant pathogens, intravenous fosfomycin has gained renewed interest because of its activity and demonstrated synergy with other classes of antibiotics.

The system allows for the rapid identification of bacteria directly from positive blood cultures, and can determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the blood-borne pathogens.

Use of the FDA–cleared Accelerate Pheno blood culture detection system can shorten the time required to analyze patients’ blood samples leading to improved clinical outcomes, according to the results of a recent study.

Key considerations when choosing a treatment for gram-negative nosocomial infections include the patient’s referring facility.

The globalization of antibiotic stewardship programs is necessary in the fight against antibiotic resis­tance.

As knowledge and awareness of rising antimicrobial resistance increase, clinicians must continue to adopt strategies for improving antibiotic use.

A study of more than 500 outpatient clinics reveals a new view of antibiotic overprescribing practices in the United States.

Investigators from the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a strategy to fight antibiotic-resistant E coli using genetic disruption.

Efforts such as improved indication documentation and antimicrobial stewardship involvement may improve patient outcomes in some patients who are on outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) for ease of administration (EOA) that are readmitted to the hospital.