Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for January 2019. 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.
Oral Antibiotics Noninferior to IV for Bone, Joint Infection
THURSDAY, Jan. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients being treated for bone or joint infection, oral antibiotics are noninferior to intravenous antibiotics, according to a study published in the Jan. 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Infective Endocarditis Related to Injection Drug Use Rising
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for infective endocarditis related to injection drug use increased from 2006 to 2015, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Hand Hygiene Compliance Low Among EMS Providers
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among emergency medical service (EMS) providers, compliance with hand hygiene (HH) is low, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in the Emergency Medical Journal.
Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Eye Infections in Newborns Advised
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed the recommendation for use of ocular prophylaxis for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. This recommendation forms the basis of a final recommendation statement published online Jan. 29 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Final Recommendation Statement
Evidence Review (subscription or payment may be required)
Public Health Interventions Could Cut Global Burden of Hepatitis C
TUESDAY, Jan. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Public health interventions can go a long way toward meeting World Health Organization hepatitis C virus (HCV) targets, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in The Lancet.
Washington State Declares Health Emergency as Measles Spreads
MONDAY, Jan. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A statewide public health emergency was declared in Washington after a measles outbreak near Portland, Oregon, reached 31 cases on Friday. The outbreak in the Pacific Northwest is in what has been called an antivaccination “hot spot” in the United States, the Associated Press reported.
Direct-Acting Antivirals Not Tied to Liver Cancer Recurrence
FRIDAY, Jan. 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is not associated with increased overall or early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence among patients with a previous complete response to HCC treatment, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in Gastroenterology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Report IDs Areas Lacking Good Practice in Health Tech Assessment
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 
Poor Mental Health Tied to Premature Heart Disease 
Autism Tied to Higher Risk for Developing Cardiometabolic Disease 
Cardiovascular Hospitalization Increased After Sepsis Hospitalization 
Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Increased for Patients With Celiac Disease 
