Skin & Soft Tissue Diseases

The European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination concluded that Albania, Czechia, Greece, and the United Kingdom have lost ground in the fight to eradicate measles.

Evidence demonstrates that antimicrobial therapy with an anti-staphylococcal β-lactam antibiotic is the gold standard for treatment of SAB caused by MSSA, but confusion about which agent—particularly cefazolin versus an anti-staphylococcal penicillin—is preferred remains an unanswered question

As outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases grow, it is important to review vaccination recommendations by age group.

A study found no significant difference in outcomes between ceftazidime, carbapenems, and piperacillin-tazobactam as monotherapy for treating P aeruginosa, offering insight that may help antibiotic stewardship programs.

The disease remains endemic in the region but an increase in confirmed cases since the start of the year has raised concern.

This In the Literature piece details a study evaluating MRSA nasal screening’s effect on antimicrobial stewardship.

During the week ending July 3, 2019, 14 new cases of measles were confirmed, a sharp decline from the week ending on March 23, 2019, in which 87 new cases were confirmed.

The research team used single site testing for 1442 (32%) patients with 54 positive (4%) results. Multiple site testing was performed on 3037 (68%) patients and 255 (8%) were positive from at least 1 site tested.

A new study investigates the association of S aureus colonization with specific Immunoglobulin E production with common food allergens and allergies in early childhood independent of eczema severity.

Merck, the sole supplier of the MMR vaccine in the United States, is increasing production to meet growing demand from areas where measles outbreaks are ongoing.

Here are the most recent recommendations for these tricky fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients.

The CDC reports 704 cases of measles have been confirmed to date since January 1, 2019, across 22 states.

A new protocol avoids spinal taps and antibiotics in the quest for evaluating febrile infants.

Although the cause of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes remains unknown, a new study links a precursor of the condition to an abundance of certain viruses in the gut.

Post-discharge decolonization education and bioburden reduction could be critical to reducing MRSA infections.

The rise of Shingrix as a first-choice prophylaxis for shingles has lead to increased demand as the manufacturer commits to ramping up production.

Ibuprofen succeeded in fighting S aureus in a laboratory setting, although it’s not clear whether the same effect would hold true in patients with systemic infections.

A shocking find on a CT scan leads to an unexpected diagnosis.

The FDA has approved room temperature stable, premixed vancomycin injections, which will be available in ready-to-use bags.

Although IV antibiotics have been the standard of care for bone and joint infections, a new study finds that oral antibiotics were non-inferior.

The FDA has granted issued a Complete Response Letter to Motif Bio regarding the New Drug Approval for iclaprim.

Studies have shown high rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and opportunity for improvement when it comes to ABSSSIs.

In a report detailing the hospitalization of a college student with complications from a herpes zoster infection, investigators say a corticosteroid prescription likely impaired the patient’s antiviral immune response.

Paratek Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of omadacycline, including 3 antimicrobial susceptibility tests and a surveillance program.

Post-licensure safety data on recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is consistent with pre-licensure clinical trial data, although the CDC cautions that the immunization is still in the “early uptake period.”

Hospital visits for so-called “Victorian-era” diseases are on the rise in the United Kingdom, and experts there believe public health budget cuts may be behind the upswing.

CDC reports that 81 individuals brought measles into the United States following a trip to another country in 2018.

Tests revealed similar genome type—the potentially lethal 7d variant—among cases despite various facilities of origin.

Applying hospital-based outbreak tools helped researchers identify a community MRSA outbreak

An outbreak in California of wound botulism associated with black tar heroin emphasizes the need of raising awareness about the risk of infectious diseases related to the opioid epidemic.