Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oct. 19-22

The annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America was held this year from Oct. 19 to 22 in Atlanta, drawing participants from around the world, including scientists, physicians, and other health care professionals. The conference featured education courses and comprehensive educational programs that focused on the latest advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. The meeting also provided insight into emerging infections, new diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic interventions.

In one study, Ali Dehghani, D.O., of University Hospitals/Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and colleagues found that the herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix) reduces the long-term vascular and cognitive impact of shingles in addition to preventing the infection itself.

The authors reviewed the medical records of more than 174,000 adults across 107 U.S. health systems and found that shingles can increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia, and death for years afterward. The investigators noted that adults who received the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) before their shingles episode had much lower long-term risks for these complications.

“The shingles vaccine may protect against both infection and inflammation. Even when breakthrough cases occur, prior vaccination was linked to fewer cardiovascular and neurocognitive events over several years of follow-up,” Dehghani said. “It suggests that vaccination can blunt the body”s inflammatory response to the virus and help prevent downstream damage to blood vessels and the brain.”

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In another study, Muhammad Sohaib Asghar, M.B.B.S., M.D., of AdventHealth Sebring in Florida, and colleagues found a marked increase in Clostridioides difficile infection (C. diff)-associated deaths during the early 2000s, largely driven by the emergence of hypervirulent strains and increased antibiotic resistance. However, more recent years have shown a gradual decline in mortality rates, which the study authors attribute to improved infection control practices, hand hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship programs, and public awareness.

The authors used demographic data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database to gain insight into C. diff mortality trends and found that disparities persisted among racial, geographic, and age-specific subgroups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.