Day: July 2, 2024

Jul 02

Rare Flesh-Eating Bacteria Has Killed 3—What You Need to Avoid Right Now

Flesh-eating bacteria isn’t something we worry about on a day-to-day basis. However, officials are now warning people about a rare variety that has already claimed the lives of three people this summer. According to news reports, Vibrio vulnificus is a flesh-eating bacteria that can cause a range of symptoms—and officials are taking action to warn the general public about staying safe. Read on to find out what they say you need to avoid right now. RELATED: Malaria Returns to the U.S. for the First Time in 20 Years—How to Stay Safe. iStock Vibrio vulnificus is a species of bacteria that can cause “life-threatening wound infections” called vibriosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In mild cases, people experience gastrointestinal symptoms, fever, and chills, while more severe cases can result in sepsis, CNN reported.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Vibrio vulnificus is often defined as “flesh-eating” because it can lead to “necrotizing fasciitis,” which is an infection that causes flesh around an open wound to die. (The agency notes that necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by more than just one type of bacteria.) Now, Vibrio vulnificus has been identified in the Northeast, prompting officials in New York and Connecticut to issue updated guidance. RELATED: If You’ve Done This, Don’t Go in the Ocean, Doctors Warn—And It’s Not Eating. Nopchin design / Shutterstock According to recent news reports, three Connecticut residents between the ages of 60 and 80 have been infected with Vibrio vulnificus since July 1, and two of those people died. In Suffolk County, New York, another individual was found to be infected with the bacteria and later died, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced in an Aug. 16 news release. While it’s unclear whether the New York resident encountered the bacteria “in New York waters or elsewhere,” the two Connecticut residents who died were confirmed to have gotten infected after swimming in “salt or brackish water” of the Long Island Sound with open wounds, Christopher Boyle, spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), told The Washington Post. “Brackish” water is a mix of salt and fresh water often found where the river and sea meet, per the CDC. As the agency states, the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria can enter the body through these open wounds, causing severe complications, including intensive care and limb amputations. Having an open wound and going swimming is especially dangerous, as Vibrio vulnificus bacteria “occurs naturally in saltwater coastal environments and can be found in higher concentrations from May to October when the weather is warmer,” the New York press release reads. With that in mind, the Connecticut DPH notes you shouldn’t swim or wade in saltwater or brackish water if you have open wounds. “While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous,” Hochul said in the release. “As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater.” RELATED: Walmart Shopper Horrified to Find Mold on Food: “Do Not Buy Perishables.” Shutterstock Most people become infected by eating raw or uncooked shellfish, specifically oysters, according to the CDC. The third Connecticut resident was infected with Vibrio vulnificus after “consuming raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment,” the state’s DPH confirmed. This patient was hospitalized and later released. In general, officials advise you not to consume these foods if they’re raw or undercooked. If you handle raw seafood, you should also wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly when you’re done. “Particularly during the hottest months of the summer, bacteria are more likely to overgrow and contaminate raw shellfish,” Manisha Juthani, Connecticut’s public health commissioner, said. “Given our current heat wave, this may be a time to exercise particular caution in what you consume.” Hochul specifically addressed those with compromised immune systems, instructing them to avoid “raw or undercooked shellfish which may carry the bacteria.” RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. Csaba Deli / Shutterstock According to the CDC, one in five people with a Vibrio vulnificus infection die, “sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill.” Anyone can get the infection, but those who take medications that suppress the immune system or have liver disease are more at risk, per the CDC. WaPo points out that death is rare, but there have been several reports of infection and death over the past couple decades. In 2005, at least five people in two states died from the infection after Hurricane Katrina, while a man in Maryland died in 2016 after becoming infected through a wound on his leg. After Hurricane Ian devastated Florida in 2022, there was an uptick in infections as well—and in Connecticut, a death was reported in 2019, while five cases of infection (with no deaths) were reported in 2020. Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you’re taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.

Jul 02

Easier diagnosis of childhood fever using a new rapid blood test

<div data-thumb="https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/tmb/2023/easier-diagnosis-of-ch.jpg" data-src="https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2023/easier-diagnosis-of-ch.jpg" data-sub-html="Graphical Abstract. Credit: Med (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.06.007″> Graphical Abstract. Credit: Med (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2023.06.007 A simple blood test which may be able to rapidly diagnose the cause of a child’s illness could be “transformative,” say researchers. An international team, led by researchers at Imperial College London, has developed and validated a diagnostic approach capable of simultaneously detecting and distinguishing between 18 infectious or inflammatory diseases—including group B Streptococcus (GBS), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and tuberculosis—with the potential to provide a result in a fraction of the time of current diagnostic tests. Using a single sample of blood, the test could enable clinicians to diagnose the cause of fever based on the distinctive pattern of genes being “switched on or off” by the body in response to specific illnesses. While current tests for some of the conditions can take several hours, days or even weeks, a test-based on this approach would be capable of providing a result in under 60 minutes. Diagnosing childhood diseases The researchers explain that while their study represents a proof-of-concept for the method, showing it works, a diagnostic test based on patients’ gene expression could drastically improve the diagnosis of childhood diseases, reduce delayed and missed diagnoses, and have a significant impact on health care, especially in developing regions. The preliminary findings, published for the first time today in the journal Med, build on more than a decade of research to detect and diagnose illnesses based on patterns of gene expression. This foundational work led to the establishment of the DIAMONDS consortium in 2020, an international project led by Imperial College London to develop rapid diagnostic tests for febrile illnesses. Professor Michael Levin, Chair in Pediatrics & International Child Health within the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, and co-senior author of the paper, explains, “Despite huge strides forward in medical technology, when a child is brought into hospital with a fever, our initial approach is to treat based on the doctors’ ‘impression’ of the likely causes of the child’s illness.” “As clinicians, we need to make rapid decisions on treatment, often just based on the child’s symptoms, information from the parents, and our medical training and experience,” he adds, “but we may not know whether a fever is bacterial, viral, or something else until hours or days after a child has been admitted, when their test results come back.” “Such delays can stop patients getting the right treatment early on, so there is a clear and urgent need to improve diagnostics. Using this new approach, once it’s translated to near point of care devices, could be transformative for health care.” Infectious and inflammatory diseases are the most common cause for children seeking medical care in hospitals and GP or community clinics. But with general symptoms such as fever, it can be difficult for clinical teams to reliably diagnose bacterial infections, which may be potentially life-threatening, from other causes, which may be less serious. Often, patients may be given broad spectrum antibiotics until a bacterial infection can be ruled out. But this approach leads to the widespread overuse of antibiotics, ultimately contributing to antimicrobial resistance and an increase in drug-resistant infections. Most diagnostic tests are focused on detecting pathogens—such as lateral flow tests (LFTs) for SARS-CoV-2, HIV or Influenza, or blood cultures to confirm the presence of bacteria or yeast. But LFTs can only provide a yes or no result for one of the possible causes of the illness, and blood cultures may take 72 hours or more to provide reliable results. In the latest study, researchers explored an approach focused on detecting the pattern of a patient’s gene expression in blood that occurs in response to specific infections and inflammatory conditions. Using data from thousands of patients (including more than 1000 children with 18 infectious or inflammatory diseases) the team was first able to identify which key genes were switched “on” or “off” in response to a range of illnesses—providing a molecular signature of disease. Machine learning Machine learning was then applied to identify which patterns of gene expression corresponded to the specific disease areas and pathogens—focusing in on a panel of 161 genes for 18 conditions. This panel was further validated in a cohort of 411 pediatric patients admitted to hospital with sepsis or severe infections (representing 13 of the 18 diseases), where gene expression was captured from blood analysis, and where diagnoses were made using current gold standard clinical methods. New diagnostic tests cannot be tested in a clinical setting until they are approved—as some misdiagnoses could have severe consequences, such as failing to identify a life-threatening bacterial infection. Instead, the team used a ‘cost sensitive’ measure, based on consensus from a panel of five clinical experts, to show where the test could be used to avoid misdiagnosis, and where this would have the greatest consequence. Dr. Myrsini Kaforou, Senior Lecturer within Imperial’s Department of Infectious Disease and co-senior author of the paper, said, “This body of work has enabled us to identify the molecular signature of a wide range of diseases based on 161 genes, out of thousands of genes in the human genome. By distinguishing between many diseases at the same time within the same test, we have developed a more comprehensive and accurate model that aligns with the way clinicians think about diagnosis.” “With this initial proof-of-concept study, we’ve been able to show that our multi-disease machine-learning diagnostic approach works. This kind of advance is only possible through interdisciplinary collaboration and large research consortia, which bring together expertise from infectious disease, molecular science, and bioinformatics.” “There is still much work to be done to progress this test to the clinic, but we are working towards it. A future diagnostic test based on this approach could help provide the right treatment, to the right patient, at the right time, while optimizing antibiotic use, and reducing lengthy time to diagnosis for inflammatory diseases.” Next steps The researchers stress that a functional test is not yet available for

Jul 02

Flesh-eating bacteria linked to three deaths around Long Island Sound. Here’s how to stay safe

A Suffolk County, N.Y. resident has died from complications related to vibriosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio. The disease is rare, but is more common in people who are immunosuppressed, especially if they have cirrhosis of the liver. Two Connecticut residents died from the disease last month after eating uncooked shellfish, possibly oysters, from out of state and exposing open wounds to warm ocean waters where the bacteria thrives, including Long Island Sound. Here’s what you need to know, according to Connecticut and New York epidemiologists: What is Vibrio? Vibrio is a flesh eating bacteria that thrives in warm, brackish, salty water. It can cause a bacterial infection called vibriosis. “It’s a bacteria that likes to live in marine environments, and oysters associated with marine environments as well,” said Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiology and system director at Hartford Healthcare. How is it spread? Most infections are caused by eating raw shellfish, especially oysters. It can also be spread through warm, salty (brackish) water that gets into open wounds. It does not change the smell, taste, or appearance of the shellfish. “If the oyster is sitting in contaminated water, then it can get contaminated with the Vibro and then when you eat a raw oyster or clam, you’ll get sick,” said Dr. Bruce Farber, public health and epidemiology chief at Northwell Health. “The other way that it happens with Vibrio vulnificus is that if you’re in contaminated water, and you have an open wound, you can get infected through the skin. And that causes severe soft tissue infections.” It can not be spread person to person. What are the symptoms of vibriosis? Symptoms of the gastrointestinal infection are similar to other GI illnesses. They include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Symptoms usually surface within 24 hours of infection and last 2-3 days. The skin infection is easier to diagnose. “I use the analogy with Vibrio vulnificus, it would be like how do you know if I’ve been hit by a truck,” Dr. Farber said. “I mean, it is profound what it will do to somebody. The skin infections when you get infected from contaminated water with an open wound produces terrible pain, blistering destruction of the skin, enormous inflammation and swelling and is often associated with fever, chills, and sepsis.” Who is at risk? Anyone can get Vibriosis, but immunocompromised people, especially those with cirrhosis of the liver, are particularly at risk. “People with hepatitis, people with cirrhosis, alcoholics who may or may not have liver disease, people with hereditary iron overload syndromes, which tends to affect the liver as well,” Dr. Wu said. “These are the people that are going to be at highest risk.” All three of the fatalities in Connecticut and New York occurred in residents over age 60. Is it treatable? Vibriosis is treatable with antibiotics. Patients can recover at home. “There are certainly a number of antibiotics that can be utilized,” said Dr. Susan Donelan, director of healthcare epidemiology at Stony Brook Medicine. “But for patients that have the most concerning and life threatening Vibrio infections, if they develop necrosis, or necrotizing fasciitis, which is a destruction of the underlying muscle and tissue, it may be necessary in extreme circumstances in order to save the life, to perform debridement in that area, or amputation.” Most people who contract the disease recover within a few days, but extreme cases can result in limb amputations or death. Around 20% of Vibrio vulnificus cases are deadly, but contracting the disease is rare. What can you do to avoid it? The easiest way to avoid infection is to skip raw seafood and stay out of the ocean if you have an open wound. “If people have open wounds or cuts, they should try to avoid coming into contact with seawater or brackish water. Because those are the places where, if these bacteria are present, they’ll be present in higher numbers and that may provide them more of a risk than they might otherwise have,” Dr. Donelan said. “And of course if anyone is immune compromised, I would suggest that this would be a good time to avoid raw seafood from which the origin is unclear.” If you feel sick within 24 hours after consuming raw shellfish or swimming in brackish water, contact your doctor.

Jul 02

3 people die after infection with rare flesh-eating bacteria in Connecticut, New York

At least three people have died in Connecticut and New York after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacteria that can be found in warm, brackish waters or raw shellfish, officials confirmed Wednesday.Two people in Connecticut became infected with Vibrio vulnificus and died after swimming in two separate locations on Long Island Sound, according to Christopher Boyle, director of communications for the state’s Department of Public Health.A third person was infected in July after eating raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment, according to the Department of Public Health. All three were between 60 and 80 years old, according to the department.The bacteria has also been detected in an individual who died in Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. Officials are still investigating the death in Suffolk County to determine whether the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere, according to the news release.Vibrio vulnificus comes from the same family as the bacteria that causes cholera.A mild case of the bacterial infection vibriosis can cause skin wounds, blisters, abscesses and ulcers. It typically includes chills, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and possibly vomiting. In more severe cases, people can develop septicemia. This is more common for those with underlying health conditions, particularly liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or other diseases that suppress the immune system.Anyone can get vibriosis, but people with an open wound, such as a cut or scrape, a recent piercing or a new tattoo, should avoid exposing skin to warm seawater in coastal environments or cover the area with a waterproof bandage, the news release says.Doctors say it is important to seek treatment quickly if you develop a skin infection after possible exposure to the bacteria.Vibrio vulnificus causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Related video below: College wrestler recovers from flesh-eating bacteria infectionOfficials advising people to be cautiousOfficials from Connecticut and New York are advising people to take precautions before consuming raw oysters or being exposed to salty or brackish water.“People should consider the potential risk of consuming raw oysters and exposure to salt or brackish water and take appropriate precautions,” Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said in a news release on July 28. “Particularly during the hottest months of the summer, bacteria are more likely to overgrow and contaminate raw shellfish.”New York’s governor echoed those sentiments Wednesday.“While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous,” Hochul said. “As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater and for those with compromised immune systems, avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish which may carry the bacteria.”Connecticut routinely monitors oyster harvest areas statewide for vibrio levels in the summer, and since 2014, the state has added to its requirements for oyster harvesting.In part, oyster harvesters are required to shade oysters while on a vessel and in high-risk areas, and harvested oysters must be placed in an ice slurry to drop the internal temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit within three hours of harvest, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture. At least three people have died in Connecticut and New York after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacteria that can be found in warm, brackish waters or raw shellfish, officials confirmed Wednesday. Two people in Connecticut became infected with Vibrio vulnificus and died after swimming in two separate locations on Long Island Sound, according to Christopher Boyle, director of communications for the state’s Department of Public Health. Advertisement A third person was infected in July after eating raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment, according to the Department of Public Health. All three were between 60 and 80 years old, according to the department. The bacteria has also been detected in an individual who died in Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday. Officials are still investigating the death in Suffolk County to determine whether the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere, according to the news release. Vibrio vulnificus comes from the same family as the bacteria that causes cholera. A mild case of the bacterial infection vibriosis can cause skin wounds, blisters, abscesses and ulcers. It typically includes chills, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain and possibly vomiting. In more severe cases, people can develop septicemia. This is more common for those with underlying health conditions, particularly liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV or other diseases that suppress the immune system. Anyone can get vibriosis, but people with an open wound, such as a cut or scrape, a recent piercing or a new tattoo, should avoid exposing skin to warm seawater in coastal environments or cover the area with a waterproof bandage, the news release says. Doctors say it is important to seek treatment quickly if you develop a skin infection after possible exposure to the bacteria. Vibrio vulnificus causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Related video below: College wrestler recovers from flesh-eating bacteria infection Officials advising people to be cautious Officials from Connecticut and New York are advising people to take precautions before consuming raw oysters or being exposed to salty or brackish water. “People should consider the potential risk of consuming raw oysters and exposure to salt or brackish water and take appropriate precautions,” Dr. Manisha Juthani, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said in a news release on July 28. “Particularly during the hottest months of the summer, bacteria are more likely to overgrow and contaminate raw shellfish.” New York’s governor echoed those sentiments Wednesday. “While rare, the vibrio bacteria has unfortunately made it to this region and can be extraordinarily dangerous,” Hochul said. “As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their

Jul 02

Weekly Rounds: Moderna’s Updated Vaccine, COVID-19 News, White Coats, and More

Here are 5 highlights from Infection Control Today®’s (ICT®’s) wide-ranging coverage of the infection prevention and control world. Everything from interviews with known opinion leaders to the news that infection preventionists and other health care professionals can use on their jobs. News Release: Moderna: Clinical Trial Data Demonstrate Strong Response Against Eris and FL.1.5.1 Variants In the upcoming fall, vaccination may be necessary for Eris (EG.5) and FL.1.5.1, as they are believed to be the variants of concern. Flying Blind as COVID-19 Rates Increase: The Eris Variant What is a COVID-19 infection? With the definition not consistent, the answer is far from simple. The Dx and Rx of Head Lice As children get ready to return to school, pediatric health care providers may start seeing more of this condition in their offices. Here is what you should know. White Coats: Potential Carriers of Bacteria Are white coats a symbol of medical expertise or a source of potential contamination? Hot Topics in IPC: New Leadership, Tuberculosis, and COVID-19 Updates In this Hot Topics in IPC, Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, gives the latest on COVID-19, tuberculosis, and changes in leadership at the CDC and NIAID.

Jul 02

A Secret in the Blood: How PF4 Restores Youth to Old Brains

For years, scientists have known that the anti-aging hormone klotho, infusions of young blood, and exercise each improve brain function in older mice. But they didn’t know why. Now, two UC San Francisco research teams and a team from the University of Queensland (Australia) have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) – a small protein released by blood platelets – as a common denominator behind all three. Remove this text and use the embed button to add an image. Saul Villeda, PhD, led the study on young blood and its effect on brain function. Dena Dubal, MD, PhD, led the study on the anti-aging hormone klotho. Platelets are blood cells that normally release PF4 to alert the immune system and clot blood at wounds. The researchers found that PF4 also rejuvenates the old brain and boosts the young brain, potentially opening the door to new therapies that aim to restore brain function, if not tap into a fountain of youth. “Young blood, klotho, and exercise can somehow tell your brain, “Hey, improve your function,” said Saul Villeda, PhD, associate director of the UCSF Bakar Aging Research Institute and the senior author on the Nature paper. “With PF4, we’re starting to understand the vocabulary behind this rejuvenation.” Details of the breakthrough appear in a trio of papers in Nature, Nature Aging and Nature Communications published August 16, 2023. Villeda led the study on young blood published in Nature. Dena Dubal, MD, PhD, UCSF professor of neurology and David A. Coulter Endowed Chair in Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, led the study on klotho published in Nature Aging. Tara Walker, PhD, senior research associate in neuroscience at the University of Queensland, led the study on exercise published in Nature Communications. They committed to releasing their findings at the same time to make the case for PF4 from three different angles. “When we realized we had independently and serendipitously found the same thing, our jaws dropped,” Dubal said. “The fact that three separate interventions converged on PF4 truly highlights the validity and reproducibility of this biology.” Can a 70-year-old brain function as if it’s 40? In 2014, Villeda found that blood plasma, consisting of blood minus red blood cells, from young mice restored brain function in old animals. His team then found that young plasma contained much more PF4 than old plasma. Moreover, just injecting PF4 into old animals was about as restorative as young plasma. It calmed down the aged immune system in the body and the brain. Old animals treated with PF4 performed better on a variety of memory and learning tasks. “PF4 actually causes the immune system to look younger, it’s decreasing all of these active pro-aging immune factors, leading to a brain with less inflammation, more plasticity and eventually more cognition,” Villeda said. “We’re taking 22-month-old mice, equivalent to a human in their 70s, and PF4 is bringing them back to function close to their late 30s, early 40s.” This microscopic image shows microglia, immune cells in the brain, in red. The green and yellow areas point to age-related inflammation in an old mouse. In this image, an old mouse that was treated with PF4 has less brain inflammation. Credit: Adam B. Schroer Even young brains get a boost A decade ago, Dubal, a member of the UCSF Weill Institute of Neurosciences, showed that the hormone klotho enhances brain function in young and old animals and also makes the brain more resistant to age-related degeneration. But klotho, injected into the body, never reached the brain. So, how? Dubal’s team found that one connection was PF4, released by platelets after an injection of klotho. PF4 had a dramatic effect on the hippocampus, where memories are formed in the brain. In particular, PF4 enhanced the formation of new neural connections at the molecular level. It also gave both old and young animals a brain boost in behavioral tests, suggesting that “there’s room to go even in young brains to improve cognitive function,” according to Dubal. Other recent findings from Dubal have bolstered the prospects for using klotho therapeutically. Klotho’s benefits depend on platelets that release PF4 and other molecules, which could each have their own benefits during aging. “Ideally, we’ll have multiple shots on goal for one of our biggest biomedical problems, cognitive dysfunction, with the fewest side effects and the most benefit,” Dubal said. Exercise improves brain health thanks to PF4 Exercise can keep the mind sharp for decades. In 2019, Walker and her lab found that platelets released PF4 into the bloodstream following exercise. When she tested PF4 on its own, like Dubal and Villeda, it improved cognition in old animals. “For a lot of people with health conditions, mobility issues or advanced in age, exercise isn’t possible, so pharmacological intervention is an important area of research,” Walker said. “We can now target platelets to promote neurogenesis, enhance cognition and counteract age-related cognitive decline.” Co-authors: Additional UCSF authors on the Nature paper are Adam B. Schroer, PhD, Patrick B. Ventura, PhD, MS, Juliana Sucharov, Rhea Misra, M. K. Kirsten Chui, Gregor Bieri, PhD, Alana M. Horowitz, PhD, Lucas K. Smith, Katriel Encabo, MPH, Imelda Tenggara, June M. Chan, ScD, and Anthony Luke, MD, MPH. Additional UCSF authors on the Nature Aging paper are Cana Park, PhD, Shweta Gupta, PhD, Arturo J. Moreno, Francesca Marino, Dan Wang, MD, MS, Saul Villeda, PhD. Additional UCSF authors on the Nature Communications paper are Adam B. Schroer, PhD, Gregor Bieri, PhD, Saul Villeda, PhD. For all authors, see the papers. Funding and Disclosures: The research was supported, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (Nature: AG064823, AG081038, AG077816, and AG067740; Nature Aging: NS092918, AG068325; Nature Communications: R01AG077816), as well as through philanthropy. For all funding sources and author disclosures, see the papers.

Jul 02

Ukraine’s first infection prevention and control centre opens with WHO support

In August 2023, the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital opened its new infection prevention and control (IPC) centre to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. In the past years, the hospital has made consistent steps in enhancing its IPC practices, from training all health-care workers on the importance of hand hygiene to establishing the IPC centre, working with the WHO Country Office in Ukraine and setting an example of how co-investment multiplies the benefits for patients. Over the span of several years, the Country Office has steadily supported the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital, offering training in IPC and antimicrobial resistance. The training was open to all health-care workers at the hospital, ranging from surgeons to anaesthetists, ensuring a uniform foundation to discuss key issues and changes in practice. WHO supported the procurement of hand sanitizers for each department within the hospital, alongside arranging specialized training sessions for health-care workers focused on proper hand hygiene practices. Vita Postolnyk, an epidemiologist, emphasizes that this robust start paved the way for the implementation of comprehensive IPC programmes throughout the hospital. From an endoscopic department to an IPC centre The next IPC milestone for the hospital was receiving endoscope reprocessing equipment donated by WHO. In the case of such complex instruments, manual disinfection is not sufficient, as it carries a high risk of transmitting infection from one patient to another. “It takes around 20 minutes for 1 person to be examined, and the more people come, the more they could be endangered if endoscopes are not reprocessed properly. Now, as WHO supplied us with disinfection machines, the safety of our patients is ensured,” Postolnyk affirms. Following several rounds of meticulous cleaning cycles, the endoscopes are put into special drying cabinets, also purchased with the help of the Country Office. These are positioned between the reprocessing and endoscopy rooms in a way that doctors can open them from both sides, thus, eliminating the risk of accidental contamination after disinfection. The hospital’s management also undertook renovations at its own expense and created a dedicated endoscopy department featuring several cabinets, which is a good example of co-investment where WHO and the health-care facility combine their efforts to enhance health-care services. “WHO stays committed to supporting health-care facilities in their IPC practices to ensure quality of care and patients’ and health workers’ safety. It is invaluable to see local capacity growing and local initiatives arising with our contribution,” says Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine. Postolnyk shares an example of a surgeon working on the frontline, who frequently sends pictures showing the challenging conditions under which he has to provide medical care. These conditions are often unacceptable. Postolnyk underlines that there is a huge difference between circumstances on the frontline and what a hospital can offer. “While doctors on the frontline might have no choice, we, here in the hospital, must do everything possible to equip our facilities to prevent complications due to poor disinfection.” The Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital is the first to establish an IPC centre in Ukraine. The centre includes a bacteriological laboratory, a health-care-associated infection unit and a central sterilization department. “It is very helpful that we are all united into one centre, as we can now coordinate efforts and use resources more efficiently,” Postolnyk explains. Strengthening IPC practices in the Poltava Regional Clinical Hospital was made possible with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU) within the EU and WHO initiative on health system development in Ukraine.

Jul 02

Lucy Letby was ‘faffing’ when baby she murdered was covered in blood

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Nurse Lucy Letby was “faffing and not doing anything” while a premature baby boy she murdered was covered in blood, the baby’s mother has said. Letby, 33, was convicted on Friday of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. The parents of Child E, a twin boy who was born prematurely in 2015, said they thought they were “in safe hands” when they left their son alone with Letby on an intensive care ward. The boy’s mother told Letby’s trial at Manchester Crown Court the nurse was trusted “completely” with the care of their son. She was an authority and she knew better than me and I trusted her. Completely Child E’s mother However, the nurse injected air into his bloodstream and deliberately caused him to bleed. When his parents returned a short while later they found their son was “dangerously ill” and doctors trying to save him, before being told there was nothing they could do. His mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taking milk to her twins when she heard one of her sons crying loudly. She told the BBC: “The crying, I had never heard anything like it since. “It was screaming, it was screaming and I was like ‘what is the matter with him?’ “He had blood round his mouth and Lucy was there, but faffing about, not doing anything. “Lucy said ‘don’t worry’ (and that the) registrar was coming and she told me to go back to the ward.” Letby told her a feeding tube had irritated the back of his throat and caused bleeding, the trial heard. The baby’s mother left him in an intensive care area and went to call her husband, thinking their son was in safe hands, but had to return soon after when his condition became critical. During the trial, prosecutor Nick Johnson KC asked her: “Did you do what you were told?” Child E’s mother replied: “Yes, because she was an authority and she knew better than me and I trusted her. Completely. “She said the registrar was on the way and if it was a problem someone would ring up to the post-natal ward. “The rules were go back upstairs and if there was a problem I would call you, and that was Lucy Letby on the neo-natal unit. I followed those rules.” She later cried as she told jurors: “I knew. I knew there was something wrong and I had known from leaving him, but I left.” She told the broadcaster: “We were taken in and we were told to talk to him and hold his hand, and then the conversation with the consultant, who said ‘we’re going to stop, it’s not helping, we want him to die in your arms’. ” After the infant died she was asked if she wanted to bathe the baby, as part of the standard bereavement service offered to parents. She told the trial: “At that time I didn’t feel like I was able to. I was just broken and I couldn’t, so Lucy Letby bathed him in front of me.” She broke down in tears as she added: “After he was bathed he was placed in a white gown. I just remember being thankful because we had no clothes for him because he was so little.” Letby was also found guilty of attempting to murder the boy’s twin brother, Child F, who was poisoned with insulin. Letby later presented her with a photograph of Child F holding his twin brother’s teddy, she told the court. She added: “She said ‘I got this picture. He rolled over and hugged his bear. I thought it was so amazing I took a picture for you’.”

Jul 02

Mouthwash can detect early cardiovascular disease: Study

Periodontitis, which is connected to cardiovascular risk, results from gum inflammation. The study was published in ‘Frontiers in Oral Health.’ The team tested whether white blood cell counts, an indication of gum inflammation, in the saliva of healthy persons may be connected to cardiovascular disease warning signs using a straightforward mouth rinse. They discovered that elevated levels were associated with impaired flow-mediated dilation, which is a precursor to vascular disease. “Even in young healthy adults, low levels of oral inflammatory load may have an impact on cardiovascular health — one of the leading causes of death in North America,” said Dr Trevor King of Mount Royal University, corresponding author of the study published in Frontiers in Oral Health. Periodontitis is a common infection of the gums which has previously been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease: scientists suspect that inflammatory factors may enter the bloodstream through the gums and damage the vascular system. King and his colleagues set out to study currently healthy young people without diagnosed periodontal issues to determine whether lower levels of oral inflammation can be clinically relevant to cardiovascular health. “We are starting to see more relationships between oral health and risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Ker-Yung Hong, first author of the study, now studying dentistry at the University of Western Ontario. “If we are seeing that oral health may have an impact on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even in young healthy individuals, this holistic approach can be implemented earlier on.” The team chose pulse-wave velocity, which can measure the stiffness of arteries, and flow-mediated dilation, a measure of how well arteries can dilate to allow for higher blood flow, as key indicators of cardiovascular risk. These measure arterial health directly: stiff and poorly functioning arteries raise patients’ risk of cardiovascular disease. The scientists recruited 28 non-smokers between 18 and 30, with no comorbidities or medications that could affect cardiovascular risk and no reported history of periodontal disease. They were asked to fast for six hours, except for drinking water, prior to visiting the lab. At the lab, participants rinsed their mouths with water before rinsing their mouths with saline which was collected for analysis. Participants then lay down for 10 minutes for an electrocardiogram and stayed lying down for another 10 minutes so that the scientists could take their blood pressure, flow-mediated dilation, and pulse-wave velocity. “The mouth rinse test could be used at your annual checkup at the family doctor or the dentist,” said Dr Michael Glogauer of the University of Toronto, a co-author of the study. “It is easy to implement as an oral inflammation measuring tool in any clinic.” The scientists found that high white blood cells in saliva had a significant relationship to poor flow-mediated dilation, suggesting these people may be at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there was no relationship between white blood cells and pulse wave velocity, so longer-term impacts on the health of the arteries had not yet taken place. The scientists hypothesized that inflammation from the mouth, leaking into the vascular system, impacts the ability of arteries to produce the nitric oxide that allows them to respond to changes in blood flow. Higher levels of white blood cells could have a greater impact on vascular dysfunction; the levels found in the participants are usually not considered clinically significant. “Optimal oral hygiene is always recommended in addition to regular visits to the dentist, especially in light of this evidence,” said King. “But this study was a pilot study. We are hoping to increase the study population and explore those results. We are also hoping to include more individuals with gingivitis and more advanced periodontitis to more deeply understand the impact of different levels of gingival inflammation on cardiovascular measures.” (ANI) (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Jul 02

GeninCode files pre-market notification with FDA for cardiovascular risk assessment test

U.K.-based GeninCode announced Wednesday that it has filed a 510(k) pre-market notification with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Cardio inCode-Score (CIC-SCORE) polygenic cardiovascular disease risk score test. The filing is part of GeninCode’s effort to expand its U.S. commercial distribution of CIC-SCORE; the company filed its pre-submission for GeninCode with the FDA last year. The test is currently offered in the U.S. through GeninCode’s CLIA-certified and College of American Pathologists-accredited lab in Irvine, CA as part of an early-access program. The CIC-SCORE test recently received a CPT PLA code (0401U); in a statement, GeninCode says it expects a payment rate for the test to be set by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in October. GeninCode, whose portfolio of tests also includes tests for sudden cardiac death and familial hypercholesterolemia, signed an agreement with Eversana in 2021 to commercialize its tests in the U.S.