Top in ID: Record number of STDs, COVID-19 antibody cocktail
The CDC announced a record number of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in the United States in 2019. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
The report demonstrated considerably higher STD rates in gay and bisexual men compared with heterosexual men, and African American or Black people, American Indian or Alaska Native people and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander people compared with non-Hispanic white people.
In other news, researchers conducting a phase 3 trial found that a subcutaneous injection of the antibody cocktail REGEN-COV (Regeneron) significantly reduced the risk for symptomatic COVID-19 among household contacts of infected individuals. REGEN-COV was 72% effective at protecting household contacts in the first week and 93% in subsequent weeks, according to a press release. The protection was 81% through 29 days.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
US reports record number of STDs for 6th straight year
The United States reported more than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2019, setting a record for STDs for a sixth consecutive year, the CDC said. Read more.
Subcutaneous injection of antibody cocktail reduces risk for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2
One subcutaneous injection of REGEN-COV — a combination of two monoclonal antibodies — reduced the risk for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection by more than 80% among household contacts of infected individuals, Regeneron said. Read more.
Q&A: What is herd immunity and what will happen to SARS-CoV-2 if we reach it?
In recent comments regarding COVID-19, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director and chief presidential medical advisor Anthony S. Fauci, MD, referred to the concept of herd immunity as “an elusive number.” Read more.
CDC, FDA recommend pausing rollout of J&J vaccine over six blood clot cases
Federal health officials recommended that the U.S. “pause” the rollout of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine so experts can review six reported cases of a rare but severe type of blood clot in people who have received the vaccine. Read more.
CDC advisory group says it needs more info on J&J vaccine
A CDC advisory committee said that it needs more information before it can decide whether to alter its recommendation for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.