PharmDs dig into the literature to explore the latest in ID care

Each month, we ask one of our PharmD columnists to dig into the literature to find evidence-based answers to important clinical questions in the field of infectious diseases.

In 2024, the columnists provided evidence-based answers to questions about UTI treatment, surgical site infections, measles prevention, pneumococcal vaccination and more.

Below are the 12 articles they filed this year for our “Pharmacology Consult” column.

New developments in treating gram-negative infections

Kelly M. Percival, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, explored the issue of gram-negative resistance and new developments in treating gram-negative infections. Read more.

The best treatment of surgical site infections is prevention

Jennifer Ross, PharmD, BCIDP, summarized updated recommendations outlining essential practices to minimize the development of surgical site infections. Read more.

Advancements in Zika virus vaccine development

Jeff Brock, PharmD, MBA, BCIDP, provided an update on the ongoing development of vaccines against Zika virus. Read more.

Advances in HIV treatment for adolescents: Are long-acting injectables the future?

Lauren Steil, PharmD, and Kati Shihadeh, PharmD, BCIDP, explored advances in HIV treatment for adolescents, including the development of long-acting injectables. Read more.

Antibiotic durations for UTIs in men and children: How long is long enough?

In our most popular “Pharmacology Consult” column of the year, Percival reported on the optimum antibiotic durations for UTIs in children and men. Read more.

Tele-antimicrobial stewardship programs change the game

Did you know the term “antimicrobial stewardship” dates to 1996? Ross took us through the history of stewardship programs, and what the future might look like. Read more.

Strategies for measles prevention in health care facilities

Measles is a particular challenge in health care settings, Brock noted in this article describing ways health care facilities can prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus, should they see a case. Read more.

Optimizing flu protection in older adults: Enhanced vs. standard-dose vaccines

Caitlin Hart, PharmD, and Shihadeh scanned the literature to answer questions about preventing influenza in older adults. Read more.

The changing landscape of adult pneumococcal vaccines

Recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination are notoriously complicated. Percival took a crack at explaining the adult vaccine landscape. Read more. [Editor’s note: Percival’s column was written before the CDC recommended lowering the age of routine pneumococcal vaccination to 50 years.]

Lessening the ‘ick’ in fecal microbiota-based therapies

According to Ross, fecal microbiota-based therapies are becoming more prevalent in the management of Clostridioides difficile. Read more.

Safer, shorter regimens needed for latent TB infection

The world needs safer, shorter regimens to treat latent tuberculosis infection, Brock wrote in this piece. Read more.

Syphilis, pregnancy and penicillin allergies: Challenges, strategies and desensitization

Although there are signs the STI epidemic may be slowing, cases of congenital syphilis continue to increase, underscoring the need for enhanced testing, targeted treatment and comprehensive preventive measures, according to Michelle Reyes, PharmD, and Shihadeh. Read more.