Top in ID: Nasal staph colonization and postoperative infections; future COVID-19 vaccines
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In a large cohort of adults who underwent surgery, nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus accounted for most postoperative staph infections, according to a study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
Among 3,369 patients in the study who were S. aureus carriers, 100 developed a staph surgical site infection or postoperative bloodstream infection. Researchers found that increases in bacterial load in the nose and the number of colonized locations contributed to heightening the risk for surgical site infection or postoperative bloodstream infection.
“Depending on the resources at hand, a ‘screen-and-treat’ strategy consisting of screening multiple bodily sites for SA colonization and then decolonizing the carriers could be a cost-effective strategy for preventing [staph infection],” the researchers concluded.
It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
In another top story, Healio discussed the future of COVID-19 vaccines and changing recommendations with Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, PhD, an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard's School of Public Health.
“As the endemic [phase] continues, I believe it is fair to eventually reach a point of which COVID-19 boosters are only recommended for the most at-risk populations,” Corbett-Helaire told Healio.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
Nasal S. aureus colonization accounts for most postoperative staph infections
Nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus accounted for most postoperative staph infections in a large cohort of adults who underwent surgery, according to a study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Read more.
COVID-19 vaccine pipeline could bring more changes to ‘menu of options’
Given the nuances of COVID-19 vaccine protection, Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, PhD, an assistant professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard's School of Public Health, said the U.S. “should remain diligent in reviewing efficacy and safety data of each COVID-19 vaccine update to make progressional recommendations.” Read more.
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