Contagion Winter 2024 Digital Edition

Widespread antimicrobial use disrupts vital microbial communities that regulate Earth’s biogeochemical cycles, driving antimicrobial resistance, worsening human and environmental health, and significantly contributing to climate change.

New data from the PETERPEN trial suggest that piperacillin-tazobactam may be noninferior to meropenem for early clinical outcomes in select patients with ESBL bloodstream infections, but carbapenems remain the standard of care until final mortality results are available and fully analyzed.

Reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been on the rise for the past decade, and identifying Legionella bacteria requires specialized testing in the microbiology lab. Here is a clinical overview of Legionella bacteria, including required testing, treatment, and reporting to public health officials.

A retrospective multihospital study found that severe adverse events occurred at similarly low rates with ceftriaxone and other IV cephalosporins suggesting there is no evidence to support avoiding ceftriaxone despite recent health department safety alerts.

A retrospective study of 225 patients across Cook County Department of Health clinics found that the novel 1-month 1HP regimen (isoniazid plus rifapentine) for latent TB infection had a completion rate comparable to standard longer regimens and was well tolerated, suggesting it may be a viable shorter alternative.

Here is a review of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use in people with HIV.