Infectious Disease Alert – June 1, 2024

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) — From Birds to Cows to Human Infection

The spread of influenza H5N1 in dairy cows with documentation of a human infection raises pandemic concern.

De-Escalation of an Empiric Antipseudomonal Beta-Lactam Is Appropriate with Enterobacterales Bacteremia

Patients with Enterobacterales bacteremia were assigned randomly to receive a course of an anti-pseudomonas beta-lactam or de-escalation to a narrower agent based on sensitivity results. De-escalation was non-inferior to continuing empiric therapy.

New (Old) Treatment for Scabies

With increasing concern about reduced effectiveness of topical 5% permethrin cream against scabies, new data show that topical therapy with 25% benzyl benzoate is significantly more effective than permethrin.

Do Bed Nets Prevent Cancer?

When used properly, bed nets prevent malaria in endemic areas. A new systematic review and a meta-analysis confirm that bed net use also is associated with a reduced incidence of Burkitt lymphoma in children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus or Influenza in Older Patients: Which Is Worse?

In individuals 75 years of age or older, respiratory syncytial virus infection was associated with more severe illness than was influenza virus infection.

‘Vampire’ Facials and HIV Transmission

Evidence indicates that human immunodeficiency virus was transmitted in association with microneedling of facial lesions with platelet-rich plasma.

Infectious Disease Alert Updates

Nontyphoidal Salmonella Drug Resistance in the United States; Alternative to Fecal Microbiota Transplant; How Best to Save that Prosthetic Joint