Skin & Soft Tissue Diseases

Empirical antibiotic therapy in diabetic foot ulcer infections increases hospitalization and prolonged symptoms in patients being treated for lower limb cellulitis are common. Two recent papers examine the need for effective communication, the importance of objective findings in cellulitis management, and the benefits of culture-based antibiotic therapy in diabetic foot ulcer cases.

A comparative study found that using linezolid in place of clindamycin in combination with vancomycin for the treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections resulted in similar 30-day mortality rates but lower rates of acute kidney injury and composite adverse outcomes, suggesting the effectiveness and safety of linezolid as an alternative therapy.

The federal agency gave the nod to Verrica Pharmaceuticals for its therapy, VP-102 (Ycanthe), for molluscum contagiosum (molluscum), making it the first treatment indicated for the viral-borne skin disease.

New York City has ended their mpox outbreak after months of successful community outreach and vaccination campaigns.

These diseases, exacerbated by poor water quality, sanitation, and health care access, are highlighted today.

Changes in microbiology and antimicrobial resistance patterns warrant reevaluation of our current therapies for this condition.

A clinician has a novel approach to patient conversations around this topic to determine if they want to assess if their penicillin allergies truly present a problem for treatment.

In episode 1 of this short video series, a clinician discusses what types of patients are best suited for inpatient or outpatient care for these infections.

A recent study in the United Kingdom suggests that more research into the possible benefits of antiviral drug tecovirimat for treating monkeypox may be warranted after showing positive results in one patient.

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

At a media briefing this morning, Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) experts discussed the worldwide 600 confirmed cases of monkeypox.

Verrica received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA regarding their New Drug Application for the topical molluscum contagiosum treatment, VP-102.

Shortages of health care workers and an increase in COVID-19 cases has put a severe strain on the health care system. Thus, the opportunity to reduce the hospitalizations for other conditions and expand outpatient treatment opportunities should be welcomed.

A case series observation study found a slightly higher risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome among Medicare beneficiaries within 42 days after receiving the recombinant zoster vaccine Shingrix, but no changes are needed to guidance recommending the vaccine, investigators said.

This approval of the non-live, recombinant sub-unit adjuvanted vaccine, Shingrix, is for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 18 years and older with increased risk of immunodeficiency or immunosuppression.

This therapy becomes the first single-dose infusion to treat acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in pediatric patients from birth.

CDC and WHO Data shows a 50% increase worldwide from 3 years ago.

“The compound appears to be safe and well-tolerated, [and we observed] excellent efficacy based on a very small sample size,” Peter G. Pappas, MD, said.

A closer look at the 2018 enterovirus A71 outbreak in Colorado highlights the need for non-sterile site testing to detect infections.

Treating parents colonized with S aureus reduced neonatal colonization with concordant S aureus strains when compared to placebo.

How many nursing homes have these microbes?

Global efforts to eliminate measles took a step backward, with the number of cases rising to 353,236 in 2018, up 167% from 132,413 cases in 2016.

Measles infection leaves patients vulnerable to a wide range of other pathogens by destroying antibodies for months or even years, according to a new study.

Treating patients who have skin and soft tissue infections with a single dose of oritavancin may lower hospital admission rates compared to vancomycin, at a similar cost.

New research found enterovirus antibodies in dozens of patients diagnosed with AFM and ruled out other viruses, offering more insight into the cause of the mysterious polio-like illness.

Although use of gowns and gloves in targeted settings may still be helpful in preventing health care-associated infections, contact precaution policies in VA long-term care facilities had no impact on MRSA acquisition.