The outbreak of E. coli linked to romaine lettuce has now reached 98 cases in 22 states, with 46 of 87 people hospitalized -- 10 with hemolytic uremic syndrome. The CDC said in a press briefing that this is the largest multistate Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak O157:H7 since 2006.
A clinical review of chronic hepatitis B infection in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that nucleos(t)ide analogues "should be considered first-line therapy," and antiviral treatment with either a pegylated interferon or a nucleos(t)ide analogue "should be given to patients with chronic HBV infection and liver inflammation" to slow the progression of liver disease.
Mass distribution of azithromycin was associated with lower childhood mortality rates in young children in Africa who received the drug as opposed to placebo. (New England Journal of Medicine)
An FDA advisory committee today is considering a novel aminoglycoside antibiotic for IV administration, plazomicin, as a last-resort treatment for complicated urinary tract infections, bacterial septicemia, and hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The FDA granted breakthrough therapy status to meningococcal group B vaccine Trumenba (Pfizer) for children ages 1 to 9, the first such designation for a menB vaccine to prevent disease in children as young as age 1. (Pharmabiz.com)
The agency is also reviewing a supplemental marketing application for Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi Pasteur) to use a specific dose of the influenza vaccine, currently indicated for children at least 36 months, to now be used in children ages 6 months to 35 months.
Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency approved the three-drug combination of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (Biktarvy) to treat HIV-1 infection. The combination pill was approved by the FDA in February.
Nearly one in five gonorrhea patients are not receiving the CDC's recommended treatment regimen: dual therapy with ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Those cases diagnosed in STD or family planning clinics were more likely to adhere to the recommendations compared with those diagnosed by private providers or in urgent/emergent care settings. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)
Chembio Diagnostics and LumiraDx entered into an agreement to develop point-of-care diagnostic testing for various infectious diseases. (Seeking Alpha)
Bad news in the fight against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria: researchers found a new resistance mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii, which blocks last-resort antibiotic colistin. (ASM.org)
Speaking of A. baumannii, Entasis Therapeutics and Zai Lab announced a "global strategic development collaboration" and a licensing agreement for Entasis' EXT2514, a novel broad-spectrum IV β-lactamase inhibitor used to treat MDR infections caused by this pathogen. (Globe Newswire)