Top stories in infectious disease: FDA rejects antibiotic to treat complicated UTIs, US measles cases highest since 1994

Among the top stories in infectious disease last week were the FDA declining to approve a new antibiotic for the treatment of complicated UTIs due to issues related to facility inspections and manufacturing deficiencies and the CDC reporting that there have been 704 cases of measles in the United States so far in 2019, which is the greatest number of measles cases since 1994.

Other highlights included a study that suggested a rapid high-throughput polymerase chain reaction test developed by OpGen “accurately and reliably” predicted antibiotic resistance in common bacteria at a rate of 90% or higher and two presentations from the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service conference that indicated a large shigellosis outbreak at a wedding was linked to asparagus and, within 10 years of vaccine introduction, HPV prevalence decreased 86% among females aged 14 to 19 years in the United States.

FDA rejects Nabriva’s Contepo over manufacturing concerns

The FDA decline to approve a new antibiotic for the treatment of complicated UTIs due to issues related to facility inspections and manufacturing deficiencies, according to a news release. Read more.

US measles cases top 700, highest total since 1994

There have been 704 cases of measles reported by 22 states so far in 2019 — the greatest number of measles cases in the United States since 1994, the CDC reported. Read more.

DNA-based polymerase chain reaction test accurately predicts antibiotic resistance

A rapid high-throughput polymerase chain reaction test developed by OpGen “accurately and reliably” predicted antibiotic resistance in common bacteria at a rate of 90% or higher, researchers reported. Read more.

Large shigellosis outbreak at wedding linked to asparagus

ATLANTA — Contaminated asparagus was the likely source of a large outbreak of shigellosis at a wedding party in Oregon that sickened 112 people, according to findings presented at the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service conference. Read more.

Vaccine reduces HPV prevalence among teen girls by 86% in 10 years

ATLANTA — Within 10 years of vaccine introduction, HPV prevalence decreased 86% among females aged 14 to 19 years in the United States, and 71% in women aged 20 to 24 years, a speaker said. Read more.