Top stories in infectious disease: Flu vaccine 47% effective in US, rectal gonorrhea may be predictor of HIV

Among the top infectious disease stories last week were a report that concluded the influenza vaccine has been 47% effective overall in the US this season but has not been effective protection for older adults and a study that found a correlation between HIV and rectal gonorrhea among men who have sex with men who are not using pre-exposure prophylaxis, which could help inform future HIV prevention trials.

Other highlights included Oxford’s announcement that it has signed a deal to develop a universal influenza vaccine candidate with Blue Water Vaccines, a study that suggested the risk for acute kidney injury may be reduced if vancomycin area under the curve dosing measured within the first or second 24 hours is lower than approximately 650 mg*h/L and research that found that patients with influenza B had similar rates of associated disease severity and ICU admission as patients with influenza A during two recent influenza seasons in Jerusalem.

Flu vaccine 47% effective in US, early estimates show

The influenza vaccine has been 47% effective overall this season in the United States, including 46% effective against the predominant circulating virus, influenza A(H1N1), but has provided “limited to no” protection in older adults, according to interim estimates published in MMWR. Read more.

Correlation between HIV, rectal gonorrhea could help pre-exposure prophylaxis trial designs

Study findings showed a correlation between the incidence of rectal gonorrhea and HIV infection among men who have sex with men who are not using pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for HIV prevention. Researchers said the finding demonstrates that rectal gonorrhea incidence may serve as a potential predictor of HIV incidence, which could inform future HIV prevention trials. Read more.

Oxford signs deal with US startup to develop universal flu vaccine

The University of Oxford announced that it has signed a deal to develop a universal influenza vaccine candidate with Blue Water Vaccines, a United States-based startup. The technology developed by the university’s department of zoology has the potential to provide life-long immunity against influenza, the university said in a news release. Read more.

Monitoring vancomycin area under the curves may prevent kidney injury

The risk for acute kidney injury may be reduced if vancomycin area under the curve dosing measured within the first or second 24 hours is lower than approximately 650 mg*h/L, according to findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read more.

Influenza B associated with similar illness severity, ICU admission rate as influenza A

Patients with influenza B had similar rates of associated disease severity and ICU admission compared with patients with influenza A(H1N1) during two recent influenza seasons in Jerusalem, researchers reported. Read more.