Top 5 Infectious Disease News Stories Week of September 13-September 20

Metformin Linked to Lower Risk of Long COVID and Death in Diabetes Patients

A large NIH-funded study has revealed that adults with type 2 diabetes who take metformin have a 13% to 21% lower risk of developing Long COVID or dying from COVID-19 compared to those on other diabetes medications. Analyzing health records from nearly 38 million US patients, the research underscores a significant benefit of metformin within six months post-infection. This finding builds on earlier 2023 NIH-supported research, which demonstrated that metformin reduced Long COVID risk by up to 40% in adults with overweight or obesity, regardless of their diabetes status.

The Roles of Misinformation, Disinformation, and Confirmation Bias in Public Health Discourse

Katrine Wallace, PhD, and Eric John Burnett, MD, explore the distinctions between misinformation and disinformation while discussing strategies to help people better understand the information they encounter. During the height of the pandemic, and unfortunately even today, misinformation and disinformation continue to proliferate on social media and, in some cases, even within traditional media outlets. The algorithms that drive social media platforms are designed to reinforce users' existing beliefs by feeding them content they have liked, shared, or clicked on, effectively trapping them in a silo that prevents engagement with new perspectives. This environment often fosters confirmation bias, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to confront and critically evaluate the information they consume.

Uncovering C difficile Transmission in Hospitals through Whole-Genome Sequencing

By analyzing 38 strains from patients, researchers identified clusters linked to frequent room changes, underscoring the urgent need for improved infection control measures. The hospital transmission of toxin-producing Clostridioides difficile poses a significant concern, as this bacterium, which typically resides in the human intestines, can spread easily, particularly when patients are in close contact with healthcare staff. Further culture tests and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis through draft whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed unnoticed transmission within the wards, especially among patients with frequent room changes and repeated admissions. Thus, employing WGS-based analysis to monitor C difficile transmission could serve as an effective strategy for enhancing infection control in healthcare settings.

Prognostic Model for HCC Risk in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

The model enhances early detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by predicting and stratifying risk through the analysis of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels alongside other factors. Research has revealed a nonlinear relationship between serum HBV DNA levels and HCC risk in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This new prognostic model serves as a crucial tool for assessing HCC risk, particularly in noncirrhotic patients with CHB who are not currently eligible for antiviral treatment. In studies involving median follow-up periods of 10 and 12.2 years, the derivation and validation groups recorded 435 and 467 new HCC cases, respectively. Notably, the baseline HBV DNA level emerged as one of the strongest predictors of HCC risk, with moderate viral loads, approximately 6 log10 IU/mL, associated with the highest risk in cohorts.

Reassessing COVID-19 Treatments: Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir and Molnupiravir Against New Variants

Initially authorized based on trial data, recent analyses have raised concerns about the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir against new COVID-19 variants, particularly in terms of mortality and hospitalization rates. While three therapies have received either full FDA approval or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) due to randomized data showing reductions in deaths and hospitalizations, the emergence of new viral strains and increased population immunity have altered the treatment landscape. Recent evaluations indicate that, although initial trials suggested effectiveness, the overall pooled effects are now no longer statistically significant. This underscores the urgent need to reassess the recommendations for these approved oral COVID-19 treatments considering evolving challenges.