Respiratory Infections News

Much of published antimicrobial stewardship literature has focused on reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. However, in addition to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, prolonged antimicrobial use is also associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance. Durations of therapy often are determined upon discharge, and this transition period has not been a focus of many antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Neither seasonal severity nor vaccine effectiveness were associated with influenza vaccination rates over eight recent influenza seasons, although vaccination rates have decreased overall in recent years, according to study findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.

The last Pharmacology Consult column, “Antihistamines for the common cold: Where’s the evidence?” (September 2019), reviewed recently published data suggesting that antihistamine product use may be increasing for the treatment of common cold symptoms. Because recent recommendations and regulations have decreased the use of cough/cold products in the pediatric population, pediatric health care providers may be turning to antihistamine-based products instead. Commonly used first-generation antihistamines have strong anticholinergic properties, and recently published data from the adult population have suggested that long-term use of these drugs may increase the risk for developing dementia. As summaries of these publications find their way to the lay media, it is understandable that parents may wonder about the long-term safety of using antihistamines in children. Although the diagnosis of dementia is certainly not associated with the pediatric population, parents may still express concern about the adverse effects and long-term safetyof antihistamines.

An increased incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases is associated with an increase in proposed bills restricting vaccine exemptions, according to study findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.

An analysis of more than 1.1 million urgent care encounters in a large health care network revealed an “intense” variation in their antibiotic prescribing practices, according to a recent study. Researchers said the data can help to inform and improve stewardship programs.

A new point-of-care rapid triage test for human blood samples can differentiate active cases of tuberculosis from TB-like disease in adults in less than an hour, according to data published in Science Translational Medicine.

Today marks World Pneumonia Day, a day during which the Forum of International Respiratory Societies, including the American Thoracic Society, raises awareness about the effect of this disease.

Researchers have found three microRNAs that may predict respiratory failure and sepsis among patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

A 2-day course of prophylactic antibiotic therapy lowered the incidence of early ventilator-associated pneumonia among patients treated with target temperature management after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, according to results from the ANTHARTIC trial.

A new agreement announced last week by Unitaid, the Global Fund and Sanofi drastically lowers the price of Priftin, a drug used for preventing tuberculosis, according to a press release. The pricing agreement has the potential to significantly help people in low-income countries with a high burden of disease.