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Top infectious disease stories: Produce contains antibiotic-resistant genes, piperacillin-tazobactam damaging to gut microbiota
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Research findings suggesting that common supermarket produce contains transferable antibiotic-resistant genes was the most-read story in infectious diseases this week.
Other popular stories included data indicating that piperacillin-tazobactam is “particularly damaging” to human gut microbiota, research suggesting phage therapy is a safe and effective treatment for infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens and evidence that tickborne diseases have hit an all-time high in the United States. Also among the top stories were updated clinical practice guidelines that emphasize the role of infectious disease specialists in ensuring that patients receiving outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy are treated appropriately.
Supermarket produce contains transferable antibiotic-resistant genes
Common supermarket produce is a reservoir for transferable antibiotic resistance genes that may be missed by traditional detection methods, researchers found. Read more.
Piperacillin-tazobactam ‘particularly damaging’ to gut microbiota
Piperacillin-tazobactam is “particularly damaging” to human gut microbiota and its use is associated with a low abundance of potentially protective bacteria, including those that might defend against Clostridium difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms, according to findings from a study of ICU patients. Read more.
Review indicates phage therapy safe, effective against ESKAPE pathogens
A systematic review of published studies showed that phage therapy is a safe and effective treatment for infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, researchers said. Read more.
Tickborne diseases hit all-time high in US, CDC says
A record number of tickborne disease cases were reported in the United States last year, following an upward trend that has not been fully explained, the CDC said. Read more.
New outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy guidelines emphasize role of infectious disease specialist
Updated clinical practice guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America emphasize the role of infectious disease specialists in ensuring that patients receiving outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, or OPAT, are treated appropriately. Read more.