Infectious Disease Alert – July 1, 2025

Early Preoperative Antibiotics Before Appendectomy

Pre-incision treatment did not reduce intra-operative perforation, and likewise did not change purulent contamination, peri-appendicular abscess, or histologic gangrene. It did lower 30-day surgical-site infection (SSI) (1.6% vs. 3.2%; P = 0.03) and re-intervention for SSI (0.3% vs. 1.1%), but the effect was marginally significant, giving a number-needed-to-treat of 63 for any SSI and 125 for a re-intervention.

Patients Hospitalized for Nonsevere COVID-19: No Benefit of CAP Antibiotics

A large population-based, retrospective, cohort study found there was no benefit for antibiotics targeting community-acquired pneumonia in patients hospitalized with nonsevere COVID-19. These results provide evidence against antibiotic use in this population.

What Is New with Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis continues to cause seasonal problems in some urban areas, especially those with large populations of rats and imperfect garbage handling. New diagnostic tests are being developed, and plasma exchange offers the potential of improved outcomes for patients with leptospirosis accompanied by severe pulmonary hemorrhage.

Pemivibart for COVID-19 Prophylaxis: Clinical Trial Confirms its Efficacy

Confirming the results of the immunobridging analysis that led to its initial authorization for emergency use, this study demonstrates that pemivibart is effective as prophylaxis against COVID-19, including in immunocompromised patients.

Diphtheria Surge in Europe

A marked increase in cases of diphtheria in Europe is related to migrants, most often from Syria or Afghanistan, indicating a need to maintain high levels of immunity through vaccination, not only in Europe but everywhere, including the United States.

Infectious Disease Updates

Two-Step Testing for Anal Cancer Screening in HIV; Reducing Complications of PICCs; Plan for the Lifecycle of a PICC