Top stories in infectious disease: CMS policy fails to significantly impact infection prevention, new app developed for deciding antibiotic treatments

Among the top stories in infectious disease is the impact of CMS policy on infection prevention measures, the results of using an institution-specific antibiotic app, and new developments in the quest for a Zika vaccine.

Other top stories include the first known case of pre-exposure prophylaxis failure in a developing country and the discovery that most armadillos in a certain region of the Brazilian Amazon carry leprosy. – by Janel Miller

Researchers identify first known case of pre-exposure prophylaxis failure in developing country

A 28-year-old man in Thailand appeared to have acquired multidrug-resistant HIV while on pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, researchers reported. It is one of the few cases of PrEP failure with emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) and the first known reported case in a developing country, according to Donn J. Colby, MD, of the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center in Bangkok, and colleagues. Read more.

Researchers create popular institution-specific antibiotic app

The use of an antimicrobial stewardship-focused smartphone app grew over time at a health care system in Denver as clinicians looked up even the most common infections to make decisions about treatment, according to findings published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. Read more.

CMS policy had minimal effect on certain infection trends

In 2008, to encourage hospitals to strengthen infection prevention measures, CMS stopped reimbursing them for hospital-acquired conditions not present when a patient was admitted. Findings published recently in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology show why the policy did not sufficiently impact central line-associated bloodstream infection and catheter-associated urinary tract infection trends. Read more.

Most armadillos in Brazilian Amazon carry leprosy

More than 60% of armadillos in an area of the Brazilian Amazon tested positive for leprosy bacteria, and 63% of residents in the area surveyed were found to have been exposed to the bacteria, according to findings published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Read more.

Highest resolution image of Zika virus can guide vaccine development

Researchers have captured the highest resolution image yet of the Zika virus and said it provides a structural foundation for the design of vaccines and antiviral therapies against the virus. Read more.