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February 27, 2024
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Top in ID: Experts seek rapid tests for deadly viruses; doxy-PEP shows potential for STIs

Fact checked byJohn C. Schoen, MA
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The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, or CEPI, is spending $14.9 million to develop rapid tests for Nipah virus and Lassa fever.

The project is part of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, which aims to develop vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics within 100 days of identifying a pathogen that has pandemic potential.

Lassa fever
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is funding a $14.9 million project to develop rapid diagnostics for Nipah virus and Lassa fever. Image: Adobe Stock

“Access to quality, rapid diagnostic testing is the cornerstone of global health security,” Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, vice president of health programs at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, said in a press release. “Lack of testing to identify frequent outbreaks of both Nipah and Lassa puts individuals at risk of these deadly diseases, as well as posing threats to whole populations. Having the tools to spot these outbreaks early is critical so that outbreaks can be contained.”

It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

In another top story, Healio spoke with Aniruddha Hazra, MD, associate professor and director of the infectious disease fellowship program at the University of Chicago and medical director of the UCM Sexual Wellness Clinic, about the benefits and shortcomings of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) to prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

Scientists pursue on-the-spot rapid tests for Nipah virus, Lassa fever

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI, is funding a project to develop on-the-spot rapid tests for Nipah virus and Lassa fever to better monitor outbreaks of both diseases, the organization announced. Read more.

Q&A: What does the latest research say about doxycycline prophylaxis for bacterial STIs?

In recent years, cases of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been rising in the U.S., affecting all populations and prompting additional prevention efforts. Read more.

Tweak in surveillance leads to more reported Lyme disease cases in US

Although the number of reported Lyme disease cases in the United States in 2022 was nearly double the annual average from 2017 to 2019, the actual increase is not likely to have been that large, according to experts. Read more.

HIV drugs manufactured in space return to Earth

Ritonavir crystals grown in low Earth orbit landed in a spacecraft in the Utah desert Wednesday, completing the manufacturing portion of a proof-of-concept manufacturing effort. Read more.

Cases of ‘walking pneumonia’ on rebound after falloff during pandemic

An early analysis of data from the 2023-2024 respiratory season showed that cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae are on the rebound in the United States after declining during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data reported in MMWR. Read more.