Top stories in infectious diseases: CDC documents unusual bacteria, FDA issues kratom recall

Among the top stories in infectious diseases is a CDC report about hundreds of cases of an unusual bacteria that emerged in the United States last year and a historic recall by the FDA on some kratom products.

Other stories include a report that indicates patients at a western U.S. hospital may have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis, as well as a study that showed that the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms did not significantly differ between ICUs with or without universal contact precautions. – by Janel Miller

CDC documents hundreds of cases of ‘unusual’ bacterial resistance in US
State and local health departments reported hundreds of cases of rare bacterial resistance in patients in the United States during the first 9 months of 2017, according to new data published recently by the CDC. Read more.

Colorado hospital warns patients of potential exposure to HIV, hepatitis

A Colorado hospital has warned patients they may have been exposed to serious infections through improperly sterilized surgical instruments, according to state health officials. Read more.

Universal contact precautions fail to significantly reduce multidrug-resistant organisms in ICUs

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, or MDROs, did not significantly differ between ICUs with or without universal contact precautions, according to findings recently published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. Read more.

FDA recalls kratom products due to Salmonella risk

The FDA ordered a mandatory recall of all food products containing powdered kratom that were manufactured, processed or packed by Triangle Pharmanaturals LLC after several were found to be contaminated with Salmonella. This is the first time that the FDA has issued a mandatory recall because a company failed to comply with the agency’s request to conduct a voluntary recall, according to a news release. Read more.

C. auris continues to spread, causing large outbreaks in Europe

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, or ECDC, has released a new report demonstrating a substantial increase in the number of Candida auris cases in Europe since 2013. Read more.