Infectious Disease Alert – May 1, 2025

Amoebic Encephalitis and Meningoencephalitis: It’s the Water

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated the cases of two patients: a child with meningoencephalitis due to Naegleria fowleri and a man with Acanthamoeba granulomatous encephalitis. Both were associated with exposure to water and both were fatal.

Antibiotics for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: Using Urinalysis to Improve Stewardship

A cohort study found that in patients receiving antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, a urinalysis with pyuria and/or nitrituria identified 40% more cases of unnecessary antibiotic use compared to asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Preventing Respiratory Syncytial Virus Illness in Infants

Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness by using a monoclonal antibody, nirsevimab, in young infants entering the winter RSV season was recommended in 2023. Subsequently, effectiveness was evaluated in children in the northeastern United States. Nirsevimab was 68% effective in preventing RSV-associated need for medical care and 81% effective in preventing hospitalization for RSV-related illness.

Moldy Bloodstream Infections

Bloodstream infections due to molds are uncommon, occurring predominantly in association with severe immunocompromise, even in the presence of anti-mold prophylaxis.

Career Satisfaction and the Unmet Need for Infectious Disease Clinicians

There is a shortage of physicians in the United States, and many current physicians are considering reducing or ending their current clinical practices. Leading risk factors for discontinuing clinical work are taking fewer than 15 days of vacation each year, continuing to respond to electronic medical record inbox messages during vacation, and working more than 30 minutes per day during vacation.

Infectious Disease Updates

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