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Use of Doxycycline as Postexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections

In an open-label, randomized study involving men who have sex with men and transgender women, the use of doxycycline within 72 hours of condomless sex was associated with a two-thirds reduction in the incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections as compared with those who received standard care.

Blastomycosis Outbreak

The largest reported outbreak of blastomycosis has affected at least 115 employees, contractors, or visitors to a paper mill in the Michigan Upper Peninsula.

CDC Update on Candida auris Epidemiology 2019 to 2021

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses the changing epidemiology of Candida auris between 2019 and 2021, including a 200% jump in screening cases from 2020 to 2021.

Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing Is Common for Elective Surgeries

A retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent an elective craniotomy, hip replacement, knee replacement, spinal procedure, or hernia repair revealed only 59% adhered to recommended guidelines on prophylactic antibiotic prescribing. Unnecessary vancomycin use was the most common reason for nonadherence and had 19 times higher risk for acute kidney injury.

Healthcare Workers Not Likely Infected, Colonized with C. auris

Recent reports highlighting the continuing increase and geographic spread of Candida auris — a multidrug-resistant fungus that is moving between healthcare facilities — have raised the question of whether healthcare workers could be infected or colonized with the emerging pathogen. It is highly unlikely, but the risk is not zero.

CDC: Be Wary of Travelers From African Outbreaks

Marburg virus has caused outbreaks in two African nations, and healthcare workers should be aware of travel history for incoming patients with classic hemorrhagic fever symptoms.

First Oral Fecal Microbiota Product Wins FDA Approval

There is a new tool available in the battle against one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in the United States.

Rezafungin Injection (Rezzayo)

Rezafungin can be prescribed to treat candidemia and invasive candidiasis in patients age 18 years or older with limited or no alternative options.

Viral Exposure and the Risk of Developing Neurodegenerative Disease

In two national European biobanks, researchers identified and replicated 22 pairs of viral exposures associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Challenges in Diagnosing MIS-C

Even though there are clear diagnostic criteria for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), the initial diagnosis is not always certain, and there can be overlapping concurrent bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that also require prompt treatment.