Top stories in infectious disease: Protocol decreases broad-spectrum antibiotic use for sepsis, 60% of world’s population may be at risk for dengue by 2080

Among the top stories in infectious disease last week were a study that found a new protocol implemented to treat patients with sepsis reduced the time that they were on broad-spectrum antibiotics and a prediction by researchers that 60% of the world’s population will be at risk for dengue infection by 2080.

Other highlights were from the American Society for Microbiology Microbe and included research that detected a “tremendous amount” of Mycoplasma genitalium from rectal swab specimens through off-label transcription mediated amplification testing in a cohort of young transgender women and men who have sex with men, a study that found bacteria in probiotic beverages may harbor antibiotic resistance genes and research that suggested requiring hospital staff to wear masks may lead to a significant decrease in nosocomial influenza.

Protocol decreases broad-spectrum antibiotic use in patients with sepsis

A new protocol implemented to treat patients with sepsis reduced the time that they were on broad-spectrum antibiotics, decreased their length of stay and saved a hospital in Pennsylvania more than $300,000 in 4 months, according to findings presented at the conference for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control Epidemiology. Read more.

Researchers predict 60% of globe will be at risk for dengue by 2080

Researchers predicted that the geographical range of dengue will expand to put more than 6 billion people — or 60% of the world’s population — at risk for infection by 2080, according to findings published in Nature Microbiology. Read more.

RADAR: ‘Tremendous amount’ of M. genitalium detected rectally with off-label testing

SAN FRANCISCO — Researchers detected a “tremendous amount” of Mycoplasma genitalium from rectal swab specimens through off-label transcription mediated amplification testing in a cohort of young transgender women and men who have sex with men, according to findings from the RADAR study presented at the American Society for Microbiology Microbe. Read more.

Bacteria in probiotic beverages harbor antibiotic resistance genes

SAN FRANCISCO — A genetic analysis of Bacillus strains found in probiotic products that researchers purchased at a supermarket showed that some are resistant to antibiotics, a speaker said. Read more.

Mask policy leads to significant decrease in nosocomial flu

SAN FRANCISCO — Researchers in Germany said they observed a significant decrease in nosocomial influenza A and B infections resulting from a campaign that required hospital staff to wear masks for their entire shift during a recent influenza season. Read more.