Top in ID: ‘Hidden epidemic’ of viral hepatitis; new trial for universal flu vaccine
President Joe Biden remarked on the “hidden epidemic” of viral hepatitis — which has infected more than 3.2 million Americans, many of whom are not aware of their infection — in a proclamation for Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19.
“Working to beat hepatitis is something that all Americans can agree is important,” Biden said. “It is within our power to save tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs, and by reducing liver cancer, these steps will also bring us closer to meeting our moonshot goal of ending cancer as we know it, achieving one of the greatest public health victories of all time.”
It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
Another top story reported that adults aged 18 to 49 years are being selected for a phase 1 trial of a universal influenza vaccine using a messenger RNA platform. The trial is led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It is one of more than 30 trials trying to find what has been described as the Holy Grail of influenza vaccine development.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
In proclamation, Biden notes ‘hidden epidemic’ of viral hepatitis
According to HHS, many of the more than 3.2 million people in the United States with hepatitis B or C are not aware of their infection, raising their risk for severe complications or death and risking further spread of the viruses. Read more.
NIAID launches trial of universal flu vaccine candidate
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced that it has started enrolling participants in a phase 1 trial testing an experimental universal influenza vaccine that uses a messenger RNA platform. Read more.
Early ID involvement improves mortality in bloodstream infections
Delivering blood culture results to an infectious diseases specialist in real time improved mortality among patients with bloodstream infections compared with delivering the information the following morning, a study found. Read more.
Cefazolin outperforms second-line antibiotics in surgery patients with beta-lactam allergy
Cefazolin reduced surgical site infections compared with second-line antibiotics among patients with a beta-lactam allergy who had total joint arthroplasty, with no increase in hypersensitivity reactions, researchers determined. Read more.
Jynneos vaccine offers ‘substantial’ protection against mpox, studies find
The Jynneos vaccine was up to 86% effective at preventing mpox in people who received two doses during the United States outbreak, according to three studies. Read more.