Top 5 Infectious Disease News Stories Week of November 16-22
November 23rd 2024Recent studies show oral vancomycin reduces CDI by 64% in stem cell transplant patients, Biktarvy is effective for HIV/HBV co-infection, climate change drives rising dengue cases, and a 7-day antibiotic regimen is as effective as 14 days for bloodstream infections.
One Health, One Mission: Combatting AMR During US Antibiotic Awareness Week 2024
November 22nd 2024Along with the CDC, we highlight the One Health approach and advocate for effective infection control measures, such as vaccination and innovative technologies, to prevent the spread of resistant pathogens and combat AMR.
7-Day Antibiotic Regimen Found Noninferior to 14-Day Treatment for Bloodstream Infections
November 21st 2024The BALANCE trial suggests that shorter treatment durations may reduce healthcare costs, antibiotic exposure, and antimicrobial resistance risk, providing an alternative for critically ill patients.
Imdusiran for Chronic Hepatitis B Achieves Functional Cure in 50% of Patients
November 18th 2024Arbutus CEO Michael McElhaugh discussed trial results showing that a combination of imdusiran, an RNAi therapeutic, and pegylated interferon alfa-2α can achieve a functional cure in chronic hepatitis B patients.
Echinocandin Dosing Considerations in Obese Patients: A Review
Published: November 18th 2024 | Updated: November 18th 2024Obesity significantly impacts the pharmacokinetics (PK) of antifungal drugs like echinocandins, including volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance. However, despite these PK differences, current clinical evidence generally does not support the need for universal dose adjustments in obese patients. Clinicians should consider personalized dosing based on patient characteristics, infection severity, and specific drug properties due to echinocandins' favorable safety profiles.