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FDA OKs Talicia, US sues Gilead over HIV PrEP patent — top stories in infectious disease

The FDA’s approval of Talicia for Helicobacter pylori infection, which is associated with up to a six-fold increased risk for gastric cancer, was among the top stories in infectious disease last week.

News that the U.S. government filed a lawsuit against Gilead for patent infringement for PrEP was another top story.

FDA approves Talicia for H. pylori infection in adults

The FDA approved Talicia for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults, manufacturer Redhill Biopharma announced. H. pylori infection is the major cause of peptic ulcers and gastritis and is associated with an up to six-fold increased risk for gastric cancer and mucosal associated-lymphoid-type lymphoma, according to the CDC. Read more.

US government sues Gilead over patent for HIV PrEP

The United States government filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Gilead Sciences in federal district court, accusing the drug maker of “willfully and deliberatively” infringing on HHS patents for pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, for HIV prevention. Read more.

Measles causes ‘immune amnesia,’ leaving patients vulnerable to repeat infections

Two studies investigating the immune systems of unvaccinated children in the Netherlands demonstrated that measles virus can give patients “immune amnesia” — that is, it erases the immune system’s memory of past encounters with other pathogens, leaving them vulnerable to future infections. Read more.

VIDEO: The pharmacist's role in antimicrobial stewardship

In this video from the World Anti-Microbial Resistance Congress, Kerry LaPlante, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, a professor of pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, discusses the pharmacist’s role in antibiotic stewardship. Read more.

Clofazimine-containing regimen effectively treats rapidly growing mycobacteria infections

Findings from a retrospective cohort study showed that a clofazimine-containing regimen was safe and effective at treating rapidly growing mycobacteria, particularly in nonpulmonary and non-Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections, researchers reported. Read more.