Top stories in infectious disease: ‘Intense’ variation in antibiotic prescribing at urgent care centers, Wolbachia bacterium stamps down dengue
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A recent study of 1.1 million urgent care visits found that there was “intense” variation in antibiotic prescribing practices between centers. This was the week’s top story in infectious disease.
Another top story was about data presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting that showed new cases of dengue infection have significantly declined in areas where mosquitos carrying Wolbachia were released.
Variation in antibiotic prescribing at urgent care centers is ‘intense’
An analysis of more than 1.1 million urgent care encounters in a large health care network revealed an “intense” variation in their antibiotic prescribing practices, according to a recent study. Researchers said the data can help to inform and improve stewardship programs. Read more.
Dengue cases plummet in Wolbachia -treated areas of several countries
Cases of dengue infection declined significantly in areas of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam where lab-grown mosquitos carrying Wolbachia were released, according to findings presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting. Read more.
Neovaginal chlamydia documented for first time in transgender women
Researchers documented what are believed to be the first reported cases of neovaginal chlamydia in two transgender women who had recently undergone vaginoplasty, according to a recently published report. Read more.
‘Missed opportunities’: Study finds low rate of STD testing among HIV-positive MSM in US
Surveillance data from six U.S. cities showed that only half of HIV-positive men who have sex with men, or MSM, were tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea during visits to HIV clinics in 2016 and 2017, and less than one-third of the screenings involved three-site testing. Read more.
Ebola RNA persists for months in breast milk, semen of survivors
Study findings demonstrated the long-term presence of Ebola RNA in breast milk and semen samples from survivors of the West African epidemic, including almost 10% of male survivors who tested positive in at least one semen sample. Read more.