Infectious Disease Alert – February 1, 2024
February 1, 2024
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Molnupiravir vs. Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir for Early Symptomatic COVID-19
A randomized, controlled, multicenter Phase II clinical trial compared molnupiravir, ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir, or no drug for low-risk adult patients ages 18-50 years with symptomatic COVID-19. Viral clearance was 84% faster with ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir and 37% faster with molnupiravir compared to no treatment.
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Limitations to Life-Saving Effect of Azithromycin in Africa
Twice-yearly oral doses of azithromycin reduce the incidence of potentially blinding trachoma and the incidence of overall death in children in West Africa. However, new data analysis suggests that the favorable effect of azithromycin is limited to children without ready access to healthcare.
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Infections in Injection Drug Users: The Role of Contaminated Syringes
Multiple bacteria were identified in syringes discarded by injection drug users.
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Fidaxomicin vs. Oral Vancomycin for Clostridioides difficile Infection in Patients Receiving Concomitant Antibiotics
This open-label, randomized trial of patients with Clostridioides difficile infection receiving concomitant antibiotics found no difference in clinical cure between fidaxomicin and oral vancomycin.
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New Species of Human Malaria?
Increasingly, Plasmodium species previously identified in monkeys are being identified in the blood of people living in or near areas of infected monkey populations. International travelers also have become infected by simian malaria.
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Infectious Disease Alert Updates
Plague in the 21st Century; Vertebral Osteomyelitis from Staphylococcus aureus; Rifampin in Vertebral Osteomyelitis Is Useful