Top stories in infectious disease: significant risk of resistance to letermovir while treating cytomegalovirus, Singapore accuses American of disclosing HIV status of more than 14K

Among the top infectious disease stories last week were a study that found letermovir led to clinical improvements in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis but some patients developed resistance to the drug, and the Singapore Ministry of Health’s claim that an American illegally released the HIV-positive status of 14,200 people.

Other highlights included findings that indicated the flu vaccine was 72% effective this season in protecting against H1NI in Canada, results from a randomized controlled trial that found oral antibiotic therapy was noninferior to IV antibiotic therapy when used in the first 6 weeks of treatment for complex bone and joint infections and a study that determined common insect repellents, like DEET, masked human odors from malaria transmitting mosquitoes.

Resistance to letermovir occurred with ‘unnerving frequency’ while treating active cytomegalovirus

According to a recent study, letermovir led to clinical improvements in patients when used as salvage treatment in organ transplant recipients with ganciclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus retinitis. However, according to researchers, some patients failed to maintain virologic suppression, and resistance to letermovir eventually developed. Read more.

Singapore says American leaked HIV status of more than 14K people

The Singapore Ministry of Health said the HIV-positive status of 14,200 people, along with their names, identification numbers, phone numbers, addresses and other health information, were illegally leaked online by an American. Read more.

Flu vaccine 72% effective against H1N1 in Canada

In Canada, the influenza vaccine has been 72% effective this season against the predominant circulating virus, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, offering “substantial” protection, researchers said. Read more.

OVIVA: Oral therapy noninferior to IV therapy for bone and joint infections

Oral antibiotic therapy is noninferior to IV antibiotic therapy when used in the first 6 weeks of treatment for complex bone and joint infections, according to results from OVIVA, a randomized controlled trial. Read more.

Common insect repellents mask human odors from malaria mosquitoes

Researchers found that two commonly used insect repellents, including DEET, mask human smell, making people invisible to Anopheles mosquitoes, which transmit malaria. Read more.