Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Ground Chuck Products Recalled by Publix Super Markets
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Possible Escherichia coli contamination has triggered the recall of ground beef products made from chuck that were sold at Publix Super Markets in Florida.
Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Pediatric Revisits, Admissions for UTI Similar With Oral or IV Meds
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Very young children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) who receive parenteral antibiotics before emergency department discharge do not have lower rates of revisits leading to admission than children receiving oral antibiotics, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Pediatrics.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
China Withholding H7N9 Bird Flu Virus Samples From U.S.
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Chinese officials have not sent lab samples of H7N9 bird flu virus to their U.S. counterparts despite repeated requests and an international agreement.
FDA: Common Diabetes Meds Tied to Serious Genital Infection
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A rare but serious genital infection known as necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, also called Fournier’s gangrene, has been reported in some patients taking a certain class of type 2 diabetes medicine, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result, the FDA has ordered a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information and patient medication guide of all sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Oral High-Risk HPV Prevalence Appears to Be Low in England
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in adult men and women is low in England, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in BMJ Open.
No Meaningful Increase in Physician Compensation Last Year
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was no meaningful increase in physician compensation in 2017, and a decline in productivity was noted, according to the results of a survey conducted by AMGA Consulting.
Press Release
Survey (subscription or payment may be required)
Many ED Visits for Antibiotic Adverse Drug Events in Children
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Emergency department (ED) visits for antibiotic adverse drug events (ADEs) in children account for 46.2 percent of emergency department visits for ADEs resulting from systemic medication, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.
MICs of Isoniazid, Rifampin May Predict Tuberculosis Relapse
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In pretreatment isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isoniazid and rifampin below the standard resistance breakpoint are associated with increased risk of relapse, according to a study published in the Aug. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Salmonella Outbreak in 4 States Linked to Kosher Chicken
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One person has died and 16 others sickened in a four-state Salmonella outbreak linked to kosher chicken, U.S. health officials say.
CDC: Greater Awareness of Valley Fever Needed Nationally
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Greater nationwide awareness of the fungal infection Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is needed, according to a report published in the August issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
State Public Health Workforce Grew From 2013 to 2017
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The state health department epidemiology workforce increased 22 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to research published in the Aug. 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Emotional Pain Tied to Health Care-Associated Infections
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with health care-associated infections (HAIs) suffer social and emotional pain, according to a review published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
FDA: Hundreds of Human, Pet Homeopathy Products Recalled
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of Dr. King’s water-based homeopathic drugs for children, adults, and pets may be unsafe to use because of high levels of microbial contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Medical Practices Should Address Negative Online Reviews
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical practice staff can effectively handle negative online reviews by staying calm and positive, looking for solutions, apologizing, and thanking the reviewers, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Skin Microbiota Differ for Obese, Non-Obese Undergoing C-Section
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After cesarean delivery (CD), the incision site harbors a higher bacterial biomass in obese women than in non-obese women, according to a study recently published in Scientific Reports.
Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Physicians Lack Knowledge About Serogroup MenB Vaccination
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. pediatricians and family physicians (FPs) have considerable knowledge gaps regarding serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccination, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Pediatrics.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Two Ebola Patients Who Received Experimental Tx Have Recovered
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Two of the first 10 people to receive an experimental Ebola treatment have recovered from the highly dangerous disease, Congo’s health ministry says.
AP News Article
More Information
Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Smartphone App Can Help Improve Outcomes With HIV
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A smartphone app designed for people living with HIV increases users’ consistency in doctor visits and improves their health outcomes, according to a study recently published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs.
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
FDA: Illnesses Linked to McDonald’s Salads Reach 507
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection linked to salads from McDonald’s restaurants was 507 in 15 states and New York City as of Aug. 23, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
FDA Outbreak Alert
More Information
Decline in Hospital-Acquired Conditions Continues
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) continued its decline from 2014 to 2016, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions.
Education RE: Herd Immunity Can Up Readiness to Be Vaccinated
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Educating adults about herd immunity can increase the proportion willing to be vaccinated for influenza, according to a study recently published in Vaccine.
1997 to 2015 Saw Increase in HIV Viral Suppression Rates
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1997 to 2015 there was a considerable increase in HIV viral suppression rates among people living with HIV (PLWH), according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
4 Experimental Ebola Therapies Approved for Use in Congo
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Four more experimental treatments for Ebola virus have been approved by the Congo health ministry for use in an outbreak of the deadly infectious disease in the country’s northeast.
AP News Article
More Information
Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Teen Smoke Exposure Tied to Increase in Related Symptoms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Non-smoking adolescents with tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) have increased risk of TSE-related symptoms, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in Pediatrics.
National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Catch-Up HPV Doses Effective to Age 21 Against Cervical Neoplasia
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Catch-up doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination are effective for girls and women aged 14 to 20 years at the time of first dose, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Doctors Often Not Discussing Risk Factors With Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients report that doctors are routinely not discussing known risk factors for common causes of death, according to a survey conducted by ImagineMD.
USPSTF Updates Guidance for Cervical Cancer Screening
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated the recommendations for screening for cervical cancer; the final recommendation statement has been published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendation Statement
Evidence Report
Modeling Study
Editorial 1
Editorial 2
Pennsylvania Case Could Affect Evidence for Malpractice Defense
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could affect what evidence physicians may present in defense during medical malpractice suits, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Interim Guidance Provided for Men With Possible Zika Infection
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Interim guidance recommends that men with possible Zika virus infection wait three months before trying to conceive or engaging in unprotected sex, according to research published in the Aug. 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
NYU Becomes First Medical School to Cover All Tuition
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The NYU School of Medicine has announced that it is offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in its M.D. degree program, regardless of need or merit.
Declines in Life Expectancy in Many High-Income Countries
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has declined in recent years in some high-income countries, and in the United States, midlife mortality has increased due to several causes, according to two studies published online Aug. 15 in The BMJ.
Abstract/Full Text – Ho and Hendi
Abstract/Full Text – Woolf
Editorial
Few Staff Receive Formal Training on CLABSI Surveillance for Home Infusion 
7.7 Million Deaths Associated With 33 Bacterial Pathogens in 2019 
U.S. Deaths From Infective Endocarditis Increasing in the Young 
Antiseptics Work Equally Well in Preventing Infection After Surgery for Open Fractures 
Implant, Patient Survival Do Not Differ for Robotic and Conventional Total Joint Replacement 
Physical Therapist-Supervised Exercise Improves Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction 
Early Complications Common in Older Kidney Transplant Recipients 
Myeloma Risk Modestly Increased in Adults With Incidentally Detected Vertebral Fracture 
.jpg)
