Top infectious disease stories: Each day of antibiotic exposure increases resistance risk, dalbavancin effectively treats osteomyelitis

The most-read story in infectious diseases this past week was a study that found that each additional day of exposure to antibiotics increases the risk for the development of new resistance.

Other popular stories included data indicating that a two-dose regimen of dalbavancin is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of osteomyelitis in adults, Staphylococcus aureus was found in abundance on ICU stethoscopes, and HIV-negative men who have sex with men while receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis acquire sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus.

An FDA warning that there were “higher-than-expected” contamination rates after duodenoscope reprocessing was also a top story.

Each day of antibiotic exposure increases risk for resistance

Each additional day of exposure to antibiotics increases the risk for the development of new resistance, retrospective study findings published in Pharmacotherapy showed. Read more.

2-dose regimen of dalbavancin effectively treats osteomyelitis

A two-dose regimen of dalbavancin — a long-acting lipoglycopeptide antibiotic approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection — is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of osteomyelitis in adults, according to findings from a randomized clinical trial. Read more.

S. aureus found in abundance on ICU stethoscopes

At minimum, more than half of the stethoscopes sampled at a Philadelphia hospital tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, and many were also contaminated with Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter bacteria, indicating that the instruments are a potential vector for hospital-acquired infections, researchers reported. Read more.

HIV-negative MSM on PrEP acquire sexually transmitted HCV

Researchers documented a small number of cases of sexually acquired HCV infection among men who have sex with men, or MSM, taking pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for HIV prevention. The cases underscore a need for HCV prevention efforts and enhanced HCV surveillance among MSM who use PrEP, they said. Read more.

FDA warns of ‘higher-than-expected’ contamination rates after duodenoscope reprocessing

Interim surveillance findings reported by the three manufacturers of duodenoscopes in the United States indicate “higher-than-expected” rates of contamination in the instruments after they are reprocessed, the FDA said. Read more.