Healthcare Providers Can Address Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance-guided testing targeting a single gene mutation could let clinicians safely reintroduce ciprofloxacin for the majority of gonorrhea cases still susceptible to it, sparing ceftriaxone as resistance climbs worldwide. Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz, MD, MPH, offers insights into his work in this area.

In this week's top infectious disease stories, a Pennsylvania teen became the state's fourth measles death in weeks, the CDC reported a 17% summer surge in rabies exposure calls, new research revisited whether cefepime raises mortality risk, a multihospital review examined ceftriaxone's safety after state alerts, and examining Legionella pneumonia diagnostics.

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.

New gyrA testing guides ciprofloxacin use for gonorrhea, cutting ceftriaxone reliance while tackling resistance, access, and FDA hurdles.

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.

Food expert Lynette Johnston, PhD, provides some context around the ongoing outbreak, discusses prevention, and compares 2026 food recalls with previous years.

The Peggy Lillis Foundation will host its 17th Annual Changing the Odds Gala this month in New York City, and it will include a casino, fellowship amongst the C diff community, and an award ceremony honoring a physician-scientist, philanthropist, a researcher, and a patient advocate for their contributions to C difficile awareness, treatment, and prevention.

Adding bismuth to amoxicillin-vonoprazan increased efficacy of the combination for H pylori, and exceeded that of clarithromycin-based triple therapy without contributing to clarithromycin resistance.