Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for January 2020. 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.
Hydromorphone-CR Exposure Ups Heart Infection Risk in PWID
FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to controlled-release hydromorphone, an opioid that can be abused through crushing and injection, is associated with an increased risk for infective endocarditis among people who inject drugs, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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In Early Stages, Novel 2019 Coronavirus Doubling Every 7.4 Days
FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In the early stages, the novel 2019 coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (NCIP) epidemic doubled in size every 7.4 days, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
U.S. Reports First Person-to-Person Transmission of Coronavirus
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first case of person-to-person transmission of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States was reported by federal health officials on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to six.
CDC Press Release
Illinois Department of Public Health
AP News Article
World Health Organization
2017 to 2018 Saw Increase in Life Expectancy in the United States
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2017 to 2018, there was an increase in life expectancy in the United States and a decrease in age-adjusted death rates, according to a January data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
U.S. Spends More on Health Care, but Has Worse Life Expectancy
THURSDAY, Jan. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The United States spends substantially more than any other wealthy nation on health care, yet it has a lower life expectancy and a higher suicide rate than other wealthy nations, according to a January data brief released by the Commonwealth Fund.
New Coronavirus Infections in China Top 2003 SARS Total
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As the case count in China’s 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak eclipsed those reported in the 2003 SARS outbreak on Wednesday, the United States evacuated 200 Americans from the center of the epidemic.
AP News Article
CNN Article
More Information: CDC
FDA Tells Purell Manufacturer to Stop Making False Claims
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The maker of Purell hand sanitizers has been warned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to stop claiming that the products can protect people from infections and illnesses.
The New York Times Article
More Information: FDA
Drug Price-Fixing Charge Laid Against ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — So-called “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli faces charges of price fixing of a drug used to treat the potentially fatal condition toxoplasmosis.
Coronavirus Deaths Top 100 in China
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As the death toll in China’s coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak surpassed 100 on Tuesday, the United States expanded its travel alert and prepared to evacuate American government workers who are in the center of the epidemic.
The New York Times Article
CDC Media Briefing Transcript
Gender Gap Persists in Starting Salary for Physicians
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The gender gap in starting salary for physicians persists, although it is unclear which factors account for this gap, according to a report published online Jan. 22 in Health Affairs.
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Clinical Features ID’d for First 2019 Novel Coronavirus Patients
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As of Jan. 2, 2020, 41 patients were admitted with laboratory-confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), all of whom had pneumonia, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in The Lancet.
Adult Exposure to Chickenpox Cuts Shingles Risk
TUESDAY, Jan. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The relative incidence of shingles is lower in adults after exposure to a household contact with chickenpox, but full protection is not achieved, according to a study published online Jan. 22 in The BMJ.
Wealthy Pay Most to Finance U.S. Health Care
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Health care payments in the United States are more regressive than previously thought, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Health Services Research.
Coronavirus Cases Top 2,700 in China, Five in the United States
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Chinese officials extended the New Lunar Year holiday on Sunday, as the number of cases of a new coronavirus climbed past 2,700 and the death toll reached 81. The Lunar New Year is China’s busiest travel season and officials there said the end of the holiday was pushed back to “reduce mass gatherings” and “block the spread of the epidemic,” the Associated Press reported.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Tdap or Td Vaccine May Be Used for Decennial Td Booster Doses
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Either tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccine or tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine may be used for Td booster doses every 10 years or when indicated for tetanus prophylaxis in wound management, according to research published in the Jan. 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Many U.S. Adults Misinformed About the Flu, Vaccination
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many U.S. adults are misinformed about the influenza virus and the importance of flu vaccination, according to the results of a survey released by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
New Hospital Being Built in China for Coronavirus Outbreak
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A new 1,000-bed hospital just for patients infected with the coronavirus that has caused 830 confirmed illnesses and 26 deaths in China is expected to be completed in the city of Wuhan by Feb. 3, officials said Friday.
AP News Article
CBS News Article
More Information: CDC
Chicago Woman Is Second U.S. Case of Wuhan Coronavirus
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A Chicago woman in her 60s has been identified as the second U.S. patient to be diagnosed with a new Chinese coronavirus, health officials announced Friday.
Chicago Department of Public Health
More Information: CDC
High-Dose IV Vitamin C Does Not Speed Resolution of Septic Shock
FRIDAY, Jan. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with intravenous vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine does not improve the duration of time alive and vasopressor administration-free compared with intravenous hydrocortisone alone among patients with septic shock, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Major Insurers Offer $55 Million to Lower Generic Drug Costs
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A nonprofit that develops and sells cheaper drugs will receive a $55 million investment from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and associated organizations to create cheaper versions of expensive generic drugs.
CDC: HIV-1/HIV-2 Differentiation Test Increasingly Used in U.S.
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2010 to 2017, use of the HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation test increased, but the number of HIV-2 diagnoses remained very low, according to research published in the Jan. 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
China Bans Travel in Wuhan, Four Nearby Cities
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The city of Wuhan was closed off Thursday by Chinese officials in an attempt to stem the spread of a coronavirus that has sickened more than 570 people and killed at least 17.
The New York Times Article
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Fewer Than Half of Clinical Trials Comply With Reporting Laws
THURSDAY, Jan. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 is low, with only 40.9 percent of trials reporting results within one year, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in The Lancet.
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Fast-Track Review of ACA Lawsuit Rejected by U.S. Supreme Court
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A fast-track review of a lawsuit that threatens the Affordable Care Act was rejected Tuesday by the U.S. Supreme Court.
ACP: Medicare for All Needed to Fix ‘Ill’ U.S. Health Care System
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) says the U.S. health care system “is ill and needs a bold new prescription” that includes coverage for all Americans and lower costs.
AP News Article
American College of Physicians
First U.S. Patient With Coronavirus ID’d in Washington State
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first U.S. case of a new coronavirus illness that originated in central China has been identified in a patient in Washington State, federal health officials announced on Tuesday.
CDC Press Release
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Wearable Device Data May Help Predict Flu-Like Illness Patterns
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Data from activity and physiological trackers may improve prediction of influenza-like illness (ILI), according to a study published online Jan. 16 in The Lancet Digital Health.
Human-to-Human Transmission of Chinese Coronavirus Confirmed
TUESDAY, Jan. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The leader of a Chinese government team of experts announced Monday that human-to-human transmission of a new coronavirus has been confirmed, the Associated Press reported.
Stomach Virus Strikes 170 Yosemite Visitors, Staff
FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — About 170 visitors and employees at Yosemite National Park have been hit by gastrointestinal illness, park officials say.
Second Death From New Coronavirus Reported in China
FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Chinese officials have reported a second death from a new coronavirus responsible for an outbreak of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented enhanced health screenings of travelers flying in from China to three major airports in the United States.
AP News Article
More Information: CDC
Level of Antibiotic Prescribing High for Children in Tennessee
FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The outpatient antibiotic prescribing rate for children was 1,165 per 1,000 in Tennessee in 2016, according to a study published online Jan. 15 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Acute Flaccid Myelitis Features Differ in Peak, Nonpeak Years
FRIDAY, Jan. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) cases differ in peak and nonpeak years, according to a study published online Jan. 15 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sepsis Associated With Almost 20 Percent of Global Deaths
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1990 to 2017, there was a decrease in sepsis incidence and mortality, although considerable regional variation exists, according to a study published online Jan. 16 in The Lancet.
Japan Reports First Case of New Coronavirus
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Japan has reported its first case of a new coronavirus that has caused an outbreak in China.
Single-Payer System Would Likely Save Money
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is near consensus across 30 years of economic analysis of single-payer plans that a single-payer system would reduce health expenditures in the United States, according to a review published online Jan. 15 in PLOS Medicine.
ACA Tied to Narrowing of Disparities in Access to Care
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The Affordable Care Act has reduced disparities in access to health care among black, Hispanic, and white adults, according to a January data brief released by the Commonwealth Fund.
Ageism Predicts Significantly Worse Health Outcomes
THURSDAY, Jan. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ageism predicts significantly worse health outcomes, according to a review published online Jan. 15 in PLOS ONE.
CDC: Romaine Lettuce E. Coli Outbreak Over
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — It is safe again to buy and eat romaine lettuce grown on farms around Salinas, California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
New Coronavirus in China Could Possibly Spread Between Humans
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Human-to-human transmission of a virus causing an outbreak in central China may be possible, but the risk appears to be low, health officials said Wednesday.
Enterovirus A71 Outbreak in Children ID’d in Colorado Hospital
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In an observational cohort study recently published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, details are presented for an outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) neurological disease in children who presented to a Colorado hospital for treatment.
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Evolution of Approval, Regulation Processes for Drugs Explored
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. approval and regulation processes for pharmaceutical agents have evolved during the last four decades, according to a study published in the Jan. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Vaccine Program Recovery Difficult After Public Scares
TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Misinformation in the Danish media between 2013 and 2016 led to a 50.4 percent drop in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations among girls in Denmark, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Vaccine.
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Doctor Replacement Ratios Higher in Largest, Hospital-Owned Practices
TUESDAY, Jan. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2009 to 2016, more physicians entering the Medicare program worked at large group or hospital-owned practices than small group or independent practices, according to a research letter published online Jan. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Physicians Spend >16 Minutes Per Encounter on EHR Use
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Physicians spend a considerable amount of time using electronic health records (EHRs) to support care delivery, with wide variation seen in the distribution of time within specialty, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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China Reports First Death in Coronavirus Outbreak
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first death in an outbreak of a new type of coronavirus was announced Saturday by officials in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.
Mortality Risk in Oropharynx Cancer Varies Based on HPV Status
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with oropharynx cancer, the rates of head and neck cancer (HNC) mortality and competing mortality vary depending on human papillomavirus (HPV) status, with increased risks for HNC mortality and competing mortality in HPV-negative patients, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in Cancer.
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Mandatory Vaccination Ups Prevalence of Vaccine Coverage
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mandatory vaccination is associated with increased vaccination coverage for measles and pertussis as well as reduced measles incidence in Europe, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in Pediatrics.
Incidental Lymphopenia Linked to Increased Risk for Mortality
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Incidental lymphopenia is associated with an increased risk for all-cause and cause-specific mortality, according to a study published in the Jan. 13 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
Burnout in Med Students Tied to Perceived Stress, Phone Behavior
MONDAY, Jan. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of perceived stress, poorer sleep quality, and smartphone addiction contribute to burnout in osteopathic medical students, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
California May Start Producing Its Own Medicines
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A proposal for California to contract generic drug companies to make medications would make the state the first in the country to produce its own medications.
Recruitment Satisfactory for Foreign-Educated Health Providers
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Foreign-educated health professionals (FEHPs) in the United States are overall satisfied with their recruitment experience, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing.
Neighborhood Disadvantage Impacts Hospital Quality Ratings
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hospitals caring for neighborhoods with high levels of disadvantage may have lower hospital ratings due to social risk factors (SRFs) in the community, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in Medical Care.
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New Coronavirus May Be Cause of Viral Pneumonia Outbreak in China
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A new type of coronavirus may be responsible for dozens of viral pneumonia illnesses in China, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
CDC Warns of Tough Flu Season Ahead
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Flu cases and flu-related hospitalizations have risen sharply since October, with at least 6.4 million reported cases and 55,000 hospitalizations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 2,900 Americans have died from the flu, the CDC reported late last week.
Untreated Oral Infection Not Tied to Stem Cell Transplant Outcomes
THURSDAY, Jan. 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Untreated chronic oral infection is not associated with post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in PLOS ONE.
Large Gap Found in Health Administrative Spending for U.S., Canada
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is a large and widening gap in health administrative spending between the United States and Canada, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Heart Transplants From Hep C Virus-Positive Donors Seem Safe
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adult heart transplants from hepatitis C virus-positive (HCV+) donors appear safe, with no increased risk for adverse effects on one-year survival, according to a study published online Jan. 8 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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Early Antiretroviral Therapy May Not Achieve HIV Remission in Infants
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected infants within hours of birth does not seem to result in a higher proportion of infants who attain and sustain viral suppression on ART, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in EClinicalMedicine.
HIV+ Patients Lose Immunity to Smallpox Despite Vaccination
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — HIV-infected patients lose immunity to smallpox despite childhood vaccination and immune reconstitution with antiretroviral therapy, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
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CDC: Young Adults Who Ever Received HPV Vaccine on the Rise
TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2013 to 2018, there was an increase in the percentage of adults aged 18 to 26 years who received one or more doses or the recommended number of doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to a January data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
American Embassy in China Issues Health Alert Over Illness Outbreak
TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China has prompted the U.S. embassy there to warn Americans traveling in the country to avoid contact with sick people and animals.
CBS News Article
More Information: CDC
Risk for Blood Clots Increased With PICC Placement in Children
TUESDAY, Jan. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Central venous catheter (CVC) placement with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in children is associated with increased risks for venous thromboembolism (VTE), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and CVC malfunction, according to a study published online Jan. 7 in Blood.
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Price Hikes for Hundreds of Medications
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — U.S. drug companies have started the new year by raising the prices of hundreds of medications.
Poll: Older Adults Frequently Use Online Physician Ratings
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older adults commonly use online ratings to choose a doctor, according to a report published online Jan. 6 based on the results of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
National Poll on Healthy Aging
Treating Colonized Parents May Cut S. Aureus Transmission in NICU
MONDAY, Jan. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Treating colonized parents may reduce the risk for Staphylococcus aureus transmission to neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), according to a study published online Dec. 30 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Routine HPV Testing May Be Warranted for Sinonasal Cancers
FRIDAY, Jan. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Only one in four patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) is tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a study published online Dec. 30 in Cancer.
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Guidance Developed for Providing Quality STD Care
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a report published in the Jan. 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, recommendations are presented for providing quality sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinical services.
Patient Experiences Modestly Worse After Hospital Acquisition
THURSDAY, Jan. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Modestly worse patient experiences are seen following hospital acquisition by another hospital, according to a study published in the Jan. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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