Respiratory Infections

CDC links 2021 outbreak of tuberculosis in US affecting 113 persons and causing at least 3 deaths to bone grafts from one infected, deceased donor.

The CDC is advising clinicians to test for parechovirus in infants exhibiting fever, sepsis-like syndrome, or signs of neurological impairment.

Children and adolescents previously infected with COVID-19 or MIS-C demonstrated insufficient antibody titers and neutralization capability against the Omicron variant.

At 12 months after COVID-19 infection, anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain IgG persisted in all age groups.

Investigational vaccine demonstrates efficacy against respiratory syncytial virus in trial with adults inoculated with active RSV.

Antibody levels decline in individuals with hybrid immunity similarly to vaccinated individuals, meaning all people need a booster vaccine to protect against future, potentially severe, infection.

Maternal mortalities increased 33.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic, while overall deaths increased 22%. Excess deaths were most prevalent in Hispanic and Black mothers.

Many people who self-report as symptomatic for COVID-19 neglect to get tested, largely citing not knowing where to go for a test as the reason.

With the impending start to the 2022-2023 influenza season just a few months away, here is some information on what is being studied for vaccines as well as recommendations and new testing.

Dr. Heather Platt discusses the process of developing V116, a pneumococcal vaccine that targets the serotypes most prevalent in those 65 years and older.

Women who were taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least 6 months before COVID-19 infection had a 22% reduced risk of mortality.

Studies, advances, and authorizations continue in this paramount area within infectious disease.

Out of 102 monoclonal antibodies tested, only Cv2.1169 and Cv2.3194 cross-neutralized all variants of concern, including Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants.

The FDA VRBPAC votes to recommend mRNA vaccines in youngest children; WHO moves to rename monkeypox; Anthony Fauci is diagnosed with COVID-19; and Pfizer stops recruiting for a Paxlovid trial.

Today, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously voted to recommend both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old.

Sanofi and GSK’s booster vaccine candidate is modeled on the Beta COVID-19 variant, and increases Omicron-neutralizing antibody titers 40-fold.

Data results from its phase 3 trial showed it was statistically significant and the company plans to follow-up with regulatory bodies later this year.

AstraZeneca’s Evusheld, dual injections of tixagevimab and cilgavimab, reduced the risk of severe or fatal COVID-19 disease by 50%. When administered within 3 days of symptom onset, Evusheld had an 88% risk reduction.

Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster, mRNA-1273.214, generated nearly twice the protective antibodies against Omicron.

Impairment of cognitive function is a growing, concerning effect of "long COVID."

In 2020, COVID-19 mortality rates were 5 times higher among adults in low socioeconomic positions.

Community transmission of monkeypox outside traditional endemic regions of the virus prompts calls for increased vigilance.

Synairgen's inhalable Interferon-beta treatment, SNG001, may be a treatment option for hospitalized and immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.

The organization is behind community-based funding and educational programs to propel a healthier society at a grassroots level.

Companies say the 3 doses of their vaccine meet all immunobridging criteria required for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

In hospitalized COVID-19 patients, remdesivir stewardship reduced hospital length of stay and therapy duration.

Among community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) outpatients, 49% were prescribed unnecessary antibiotics.

Leveraging antimicrobial stewardship programs was crucial to ensure COVID-19 hospital inpatients received monoclonal antibody therapy quickly and safely.

Data on hospitalizations of children during the pandemic highlighted the seriousness of MIS-C, particularly in children of color.

A third, “booster,” dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now FDA-approved for children 5-11 years old.