Top 5 Infectious Disease News Stories Week of June 21-28

ACIP Recommends Clesrovimab for Infants Under 8 Months Without Maternal RSV Protection

In a significant move to protect infants from severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend clesrovimab (Enflonsia), a newly FDA-approved monoclonal antibody, for all infants under 8 months who lack maternal RSV protection during their first RSV season. The committee also voted to include clesrovimab in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, ensuring no-cost access for eligible families. With strong efficacy, over 90% reduction in RSV-related hospitalizations, and a favorable safety profile, clesrovimab offers a simplified, single-dose option that could prevent tens of thousands of RSV-related healthcare visits and deaths annually, reinforcing its role as a vital tool in pediatric RSV prevention.

How Can Scientists and Investigators Find Funding Today?

At the ASM Microbe 2025 conference, Rodney E Rohde, PhD, highlighted growing concerns over federal research funding freezes and their potential impact on public health careers, particularly among students and early-career scientists. As a professor and chair at Texas State University, Rohde emphasized the need for creative alternatives to traditional funding sources, including private foundations, institutional grants, state-level opportunities, and partnerships with local organizations. While federal agencies like the NIH and NSF remain essential pillars of scientific advancement, Rohde stressed the importance of sustained engagement with these institutions to advocate for future investment. Despite current challenges, he remains hopeful that healthy competition for grants will continue to drive innovation and discovery in the life sciences.

Improving Quality of Life For Those With Recurrent C Difficile

Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) significantly diminishes patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), often causing anxiety, isolation, and fear of relapse. Paul Feuerstadt, MD, emphasizes the emotional toll of rCDI, likening it to post-traumatic stress, and highlights the transformative impact of fecal microbiota, live-jslm (Rebyota [RBL]), a non-antibiotic treatment approved by the FDA for over two years. A recent quality-of-life survey conducted by RBL’s manufacturer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, found that patients who responded to RBL reported greater improvements in mental, physical, and social well-being than those on placebo. These gains were linked to beneficial shifts in gut microbiota and bile acid profiles, underscoring the therapy’s dual role in addressing both infection and overall patient wellness.

New Antifungal Drug Olorofim Shows Efficacy in Treating Resistant Fungal Infections

A novel antifungal drug, olorofim, has shown promising efficacy and safety in treating life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFDs), particularly in patients with limited treatment options due to resistance. In a phase 2b trial involving over 200 patients infected with difficult-to-treat pathogens like azole-resistant Aspergillus, Lomentospora, and Scedosporium, olorofim achieved a clinical response in nearly 60% of patients by day 42, with no resistance observed during treatment. John Rex, MD, FACP, chief medical officer at F2G, emphasized the drug’s targeted mechanism and oral formulation, noting its potential as a long-term option for high-risk fungal infections, while cautioning against future misuse in agriculture that could jeopardize its clinical effectiveness.

Antibody Levels Below Traditional Threshold Still Protect Against Hepatitis B in Vaccinated Children

A new longitudinal study published in npj Vaccines suggests that children vaccinated against hepatitis B remain protected even when their antibody levels fall below the traditional threshold of 10 mIU/mL, challenging the long-held assumption that such declines necessitate booster doses. Over a 5.4-year period, researchers followed 395 children born to HBV-infected mothers, one of the highest-risk groups, and found no cases of breakthrough infection, even among those with low or declining antibody levels. Notably, some children with reduced antibody levels experienced a natural immune boost without infection, likely due to HBV exposure, underscoring the strength of long-term immunity. While the study did not assess cellular immunity and booster administration wasn’t randomized, its findings may prompt reevaluation of current hepatitis B vaccination policies, potentially reducing unnecessary booster shots in similarly exposed populations.