Top in ID: New insight on COVID-19 boosters; lung infection drug shows promise
A fourth dose of a bivalent messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine offered more protection regardless of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with the original monovalent formulation, according to results of a retrospective study.
The analysis included than 2 million adults in Singapore. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
Also, Insmed released positive topline results for Arikayce, a drug developed to treat nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections caused by Mycobacterium avium complex. The drug manufacturer said it plans to seek accelerated approval for use in newly infected patients.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
Fourth dose of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine more protective than monovalent booster in study
A fourth dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine provided added protection for previously infected and SARS-CoV-2-naive patients compared with a fourth dose of a monovalent vaccine, researchers in Singapore found. Read more.
Arikayce shows promise among patients newly diagnosed with NTM lung disease
A drug that treats nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections caused by Mycobacterium avium complex performed well among newly diagnosed patients who had not started antibiotics, its manufacturer said. Read more.
Safe to fit test N95 masks every 3 years instead of annually, study finds
Findings from a recent study suggest that fit tests for N95 masks can safely be done every 3 years instead of every year. Read more.
Sexual contact remains most common route of mpox exposure
Mpox can spread a variety of ways — including through close face-to-face and skin-to-skin contact — but sexual activity remains the most common route of exposure, new study findings suggest. Read more.
VIDEO: Public health workforce not ready for next pandemic
Is the public health workforce ready for the next pandemic? According to Jonas Nguh, PhD, MSN, RN, president-elect of the Maryland Public Health Association, the answer is no. Read more.