Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for December 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Antimicrobial Stewardship Improves Outcomes for MRSA
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving antimicrobial injections targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program that includes daily review of prescriptions is associated with improved clinical outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
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Study Strengthens Evidence for Mycoplasma genitalium As STI
TUESDAY, Dec. 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is prevalent in more than 1 percent of the sexually-experienced British population, with no infections detected in those reporting no previous sexual experience, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Patients Can Safely Self-Administer IV Antibiotics at Home
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients can be taught to safely self-administer long-term intravenous antibiotics at home, without the help of a health care worker, according to research published online Dec. 15 in PLOS Medicine.
Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.
Efficacy of Azithromycin in Chlamydia Remains High
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Azithromycin is not noninferior to doxycycline for treatment of urogenital chlamydia infection among adolescents; however, the efficacy of both types of treatment is high, according to a study published in the Dec. 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Infusion of HIV-Neutralizing Antibody Decreases Viremia
FRIDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A single infusion of the potent human monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the HIV-1 CD4 binding site, VRC01, decreases plasma viremia, according to a study published in the Dec. 23 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Daily INR Measurement Best for Hospitalized Patients on Warfarin
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For hospitalized patients, international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring less frequently than daily is associated with increased odds of warfarin-associated adverse events, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Distinct Syndrome of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Identified
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Acute flaccid paralysis with evidence of spinal motor neuron involvement represents a unique syndrome, according to research published in the Dec. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Increase in Alcohol Tax Linked to Reduction in Gonorrhea Rates
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Introduction of an increase in alcohol beverage sales tax is associated with a reduction in gonorrhea rates, according to research published online Dec. 9 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Over Half of U.S. States Ill Prepared for Disease Outbreaks
FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than half of U.S. states are poorly prepared to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, according to a new report released Dec. 17 by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Symptoms Frequently Reported by Ebola Virus Survivors
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD) frequently have symptoms, including ocular symptoms, most of which resolve over time, according to a letter to the editor published in the Dec. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Antineoplastic Agent Obscures Diagnosis of Fungal Meningitis
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case of cryptococcal meningitis with false-negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture results following receipt of capecitabine has been described in a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
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Roughly Half of U.S. Hospitals Require Staff Flu Vaccination
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The majority of U.S. hospitals don’t require health care providers to get a seasonal flu vaccine, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
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Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Risk of CV Events Up After Shingles Diagnosis in Seniors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Stroke risk appears to more than double in the first week following a shingles diagnosis, with myocardial infarction (MI) risk also climbing, though not by quite as much, according to research published online Dec. 15 in PLOS Medicine.
c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Essential for HSV Reactivation
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is essential for herpes simplex virus (HSV) gene expression during virus reactivation from latent neuronal infection, according to a study published in the Dec. 9 issue of Cell Host & Microbe.
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USPSTF: Screen All Teens, Adults at Risk for Syphilis
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — All adults and teens at increased risk for syphilis should be screened for the sexually transmitted disease, a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft recommendation says. The recommendation complements a 2009 task force recommendation that all pregnant women be screened for syphilis.
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New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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Hepatitis E Virus Rare Among HIV-Infected Population
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is low in HIV-infected (HIV+) women and men, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in Hepatology.
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Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Live Attenuated Flu Shot Feasible for Children With Egg Allergy
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For young people with egg allergy, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is well tolerated, with low risk of systemic allergic reactions, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in The BMJ.
Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.
AFP Levels Predict Fibrosis Regression After SVR in Hep C
MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), lower post-treatment α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and HCV genotype 2 correlate with liver fibrosis regression after sustained virological response (SVR), according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Levels of Ebola Virus in Blood Could Help Predict Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The levels of Ebola virus in a patient’s blood can strongly predict the mortality risk, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in PLOS Medicine.
Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
PrEP for Men at High Risk for HIV May Be Taken on Demand
TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that men at high risk for HIV can benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken before and after sex instead of every day. The study was published online Dec. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with World AIDS Day.
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Chikungunya Virus Deemed Significant Cause of CNS Disease
TUESDAY, Dec. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A 2005 to 2006 chikungunya outbreak on Reunion Island, east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, affected more than 300,000 people, with a higher-than-expected rate of encephalitis, researchers report online Nov. 25 in Neurology.
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