Top in ID: Convalescent plasma, COVID-19 vs. 1918 flu pandemic

The FDA has authorized emergency use of convalescent plasma as a therapy for patients hospitalized for COVID-19. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story compared excess mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic vs. the 1918 influenza pandemic in New York City.

Read these and more top stories in infectious diseases below:

FDA OKs convalescent plasma for COVID-19 amid questions about its usefulness

Last week, the FDA authorized the emergency use of convalescent plasma as a therapy for patients hospitalized with COVID-19, saying the “known and potential benefits” of the technique outweigh any risks. Read more.

Excess mortality from COVID-19 in NYC comparable to peak of 1918 flu pandemic

The excess mortality observed during the initial 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City was comparable to the excess mortality observed during the peak of the 1918 influenza pandemic, according to a study. Read more.

Study details likely SARS-CoV-2 transmission on international flight

Two people on an international flight from Israel to Germany likely acquired SARS-CoV-2 from fellow passengers who had unknowingly been in contact with an infected hotel manager, according to a study. Read more.

MRSA nasal swabs could determine treatment decisions before culture results are available

A negative MRSA nasal swab could help clinicians determine whether to withhold or discontinue MRSA treatment while wound or tissue culture results are pending, according to results from a single-center study. Read more.

Q&A: IDSA task force ‘laying the foundation’ for diversity and inclusion in medicine

Since its founding in 2018, the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Inclusion, Diversity, Access and Equity Task Force (IDA&E) has worked to address racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Healio spoke with Jasmine R. Marcelin, MD, FACP, an IDA&E task force member, about the program’s first 2 years and the impact that COVID-19 has had on its efforts. Read more.