Pharmaceutical Debrief: Merck PCV Phase 3 Data, Novavax COVID Results, Vaccine Trial Stoppage
A quick debrief of the week’s top FDA approvals, FDA authorizations, or other infectious disease pipeline developments from the past week.
Testing Reagents for SARS CoV 2: Institutional Stockpiling and Supply Chain Issues
Robert H. Christenson, PhD, University of Maryland, outlines the incentives for how SARS-CoV-2 testing reagents are acquired by institutions.
Professor of Medical Technology Provides COVID-19 Testing Breakdown
Robert H. Christenson, PhD, outlines the ways SARS-CoV-2 transmission is prevented during testing, how testing materials are acquired, and more.
Targeting the Innate Immune System to Neutralize the Cytokine Storm in Severe COVID-19
A clinical-stage immunology company has an investigational therapy looking to target the tumor necrosis factor cytokine.
Positive Phase 1 Results for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine
Results of the trial of Novavax’s NVX-CoV2373 vaccine have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showing the vaccine appeared safe and elicited strong immune responses.
Outbreaks of Measles Refute "Sustainability of Elimination"
Outbreaks in countries with high vaccine uptake prompted reassessment of the immunogenicity and persistence of trivalent measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
Does Political Instability Lower Trust in Vaccines?
A new study in The Lancet maps trends in vaccine confidence around the world.
New Treatment Guidelines for Antibiotic Resistant Infections | IDSA Update
New guidance from the Infectious Diseases Society of America offers timely practice advice for the clinical treatment of three of the most common drug-resistant pathogens.
Decision Diagnostics Grapples With FDA Emergency Use Authorization Process
Decision Diagnostics Corp. has submitted 2 applications with the FDA for a COVID-19 testing technology that the firm claims can identify the virus in about 10 seconds.
European Data Tracks Long-term Severe COVID-19 Pulmonary Effects
New research presented at ERS shows how critically ill COVID-19 patients face cardiac and pulmonary burdens weeks after recovery.
Merck Announces Results from 2 Phase 3 Studies on its Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
The investigational vaccine was regarded as well-tolerated and elicited an immune response.
Clinic-Based Interventions Lead to Better Results in Youth with HIV
A new study that compared the results of a behavior intervention program for young adults living with HIV found outcomes were better when the intervention occurred in a clinic rather than at the patients’ homes.
How Can We Achieve Zero-COVID?
A Rapid Response in BMJ argues that to achieve Zero-COVID, we need to broaden our thinking to include the controlled and careful acquisition of population immunity.
Unmet Need? Getting Back Pre-COVID Care Standards Across Patient Health Burdens
In this segment, Dysphagia expert Rinki Varindani Desai shares her perspective on the need for an adaptive health care system response that incorporates equity across health burdens.
An Interview on the First US Double Lung Transplant for COVID-19
How a Chicago-based surgeon managed an unprecedented procedure for young woman at the height of the pandemic.
Laser Therapy for Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
An examination of a patient presenting with the condition in the early days of the pandemic without the access to current care protocols.
Breast Milk of Women Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Unlikely to Transmit Virus
SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to pass through the breast milk of infected mothers to their infants, according to a recent evaluation of breast milk samples from 18 women who tested positive for the COVID-19.
CMS Performance Measure on Sepsis Could Contribute to Overuse of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
The CMS Sepsis Bundle Core Performance Measure of sepsis treatment could contribute to the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics
AstraZeneca, Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Put on Hold for Safety Concern
A new report shows a UK-based participant experienced a serious adverse event, but is anticipated to recover.
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Developers Sign Safety Pledge
A total of 9 firms signed the letter promising to put safety at the top of the priority list in ongoing COVID-19 vaccine development projects.
Rise in PrEP Costs Could Hinder Expansion
Rising costs from 2014-2018 may have hindered PrEP expansion, according to a recent retrospective study.
Is COVID-19 Getting More Virulent in Children?
A follow-up on analysis from earlier in the pandemic reveals that virulence in children remained stable over a 5-month period.
Obesity Medicine Doctor Turns COVID-19 Infection into Learning Experience
The story of an early-infected US physician who launched a non-profit, participated in trials, and guided her peers after overcoming infection.
Exploring a Phenotype of COVID-19-Associated Hyperinflammation
An observational study in the United Kingdom supports the concepts of a hyperinflammation phenotype for severe COVID-19 cases and could help guide risk assessment, precision medicine, and trial design.
Driving Healthy Choices: Where Should Interventions Occur for Youth Living With HIV?
In looking at enhancing intervention efforts, where should we do them?
Diagnostic Algorithm for C Diff Is Confounded in Cancer Patients
The 2-step algorithm for diagnosing Clostridioides difficile infection is difficult to interpret in patients who have cancer or are immunocompromised.
Rapid Testing and Self-Isolation Are Central Components of COVID-19 Control
A new study sought to quantify the impacts of various testing strategies. It found rapid testing and self-isolation were the most critical factors.
Recalls Radar: "Always Be Clean" Hand Sanitizer & More
Weekly, we identify which FDA recall announcements might be most clinically relevant.
The ID Pipeline: HIV Differentiation, SARS-CoV-2, and Influenza A/B Testing
The following is a quick review of the week’s top FDA approvals and authorizations.
Russia Investigators Release Data for New COVID-19 Vaccine
The phase 1/2 findings show the recently regulated two-dose vaccine was associated with no serious adverse events and antibody response within 21 days.
