MRSA

A new review examines previous studies and concludes that healthcare professionals could benefit from sensitivity training when dealing with patients who have HAIs.

The results are significant given the ongoing debate regarding the role of contact precautions for the gram-positive bacteria.

Gram-positive multidrug-resistant infections may be managed effectively with a single dose of long-acting lipo­glycopeptide antibiotics in the outpatient setting; however, careful patient selection is important for maximizing the cost-benefit of these relatively expensive drugs.

Alternative agents are often broader spectrum than ß-lactams, subjecting patients to collateral damage and subsequent selection for resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile.

Study suggests that clinicians should perform confirmatory allergy testing on patients with reported penicillin allergies as an important feature of antimicrobial stewardship.

Oritavancin is a useful antimicrobial option to help clinicians manage MRSA infections and other serious GPC infections in patients with cancer, including in those at the end-of-life.

Skin and soft tissue infections appear to be on the decline in the general population, but individuals with HIV have a higher risk.

The FDA seeks a permanent injunction against a company selling unapproved hand sanitizers that claim to be effective against infections from several pathogens.