Top stories in infectious disease: FDA rejects long-acting HIV treatment, primary care intervention reduces antibiotic prescriptions

The FDA’s decision not to approve a long-acting HIV treatment was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about an antimicrobial stewardship intervention that significantly reduced overall antibiotic prescribing at several primary care clinics.

FDA declines to approve long-acting HIV treatment

The FDA has declined to approve a long-acting HIV treatment that patients would be able to receive as a monthly injection, but not over safety concerns, according to the two manufacturers that developed the investigational regimen. Read more.

'Simple' stewardship intervention reduces antimicrobial prescriptions

A multifaceted outpatient antimicrobial stewardship intervention implemented at seven primary care clinics significantly reduced overall antibiotic prescriptions, as well as unnecessary and suboptimal prescriptions rates, researchers reported. The reductions were sustained even after one intervention — peer comparison — was removed. Read more.

HIV test-and-treat policies in NYC nearly halve time to treatment

There was a 42% reduction in the median time from HIV seroconversion to ART initiation among people with HIV in New York City over a recent 10-year period, suggesting an increase in the implementation of test-and-treat policies, including the recommendation to “treat all” infected patients immediately, researchers said. Read more.

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority awards Paratek up to $285 million to develop anthrax treatment

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, awarded Paratek Pharmaceuticals a contract worth up to $285 million to develop and test omadacycline — marketed as Nuzyra — for the treatment of pulmonary anthrax, the company announced. Read more.

44% of Medicaid enrollees do not reinitiate HIV treatment after discontinuation

Many Medicaid enrollees with HIV do not reinitiate antiretroviral therapy after discontinuing their treatment, according to study findings. Researchers found that, during a 12-year period, only 44% reinitiated treatment within 18 months, and that engagement in care was significantly associated with patients resuming treatment. Read more.