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Top infectious disease stories: Infections after hip, knee replacements expected to increase; pertussis resurgence linked to acellular vaccinations

Among the top stories in infectious diseases this week was a prediction by researchers that failure to meet HHS targets for reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) following knee and hip arthroplasties will result in a 14% increase in SSIs by 2030 and study findings that the transition to acellular vaccinations has contributed to the resurgence of pertussis in the United States.

Other top stories included the development of a novel plastic drain cover that prevents spread of pathogens from hospital sinks, data indicating racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care and findings that older children and those with arthralgia are more likely to contract chikungunya virus infection.

Surgical site infections following hip, knee replacements will increase by 14% if HHS goal not met

Unless rates are reduced, researchers predict that surgical site infections following knee and hip arthroplasties will increase by 14% between 2020 and 2030 in the United States. Read more.

US pertussis resurgence linked to transition to acellular vaccinations

The overall incidence of pertussis in the United States increased between 2000 and 2016, with age-specific case counts coinciding with the transition to acellular vaccination, according to study results published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Read more.

Drain cover prevents spread of pathogens from hospital sinks

Researchers developed a novel plastic drain cover that they said could reduce the dissemination of pathogens from contaminated hospital sinks. Read more.

Study identifies racial/ethnic disparities in HIV care

Targeted clinical and public health interventions are needed to improve HIV care among older black men who have sex with men, as well as among young white women and middle-aged black men who have sex with women, researchers wrote in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Read more.

Arthralgia, age suggestive of chikungunya virus infection in kids

Older children and those with arthralgia were more likely to be infected with chikungunya virus during an epidemic in Haiti, according to study results published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Read more.