Category: Infection

Results of a surveillance study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection showed that the overall rate of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) colonization and subsequent infection is high among infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with extremely low gestational age, extremely low birth weight, and vaginal delivery identified as risk factors for colonization. Researchers examined findings of a retrospective study on the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of MSSA colonization and infection among infants. Data were captured from infants who were admitted to the NICU at Antwerp University Hospital in Belgium between November 2020 and June 2022. Eligible patients included infants who were hospitalized for at least 7 days within 72 hours of birth and had at least 1 MSSA surveillance swab. The researchers evaluated the prevalence of S aureus colonization, the incidence of S aureus infection, as well as associated risk factors. Forward stepwise multivariable nominal logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for MSSA colonization and infection, with adjustment for potential confounders. Among 383 infants included in the analysis, the median gestational age was 32 (IQR, 29-35) weeks, approximately half were boys (52.0%), the median birth weight was 1700 (IQR, 1280-2365) g, and 61.4% were delivered via cesarean section. A total of 164 (42.8%) of infants were colonized with MSSA during hospitalization, of whom 49 (29.3%) developed subsequent infection. Eleven (22.4%) of the infected infants had invasive infections, including 7 with ventilator-associated pneumonia and 4 with bloodstream infections. Neonates who become colonized with MSSA early in their hospitalization have the highest risk of developing invasive infections, indicating the importance of implementing infection prevention measures during this critical period. The median time between MSSA colonization and subsequent infection was 8 (IQR 4-19) days, with colonization and infection occurring after a median of 11 (IQR, 7-17) and 21 (IQR, 10.75-31.2) days of hospitalization, respectively. Overall, mortality occurred among 2 (18.0%) infants with invasive infection and no infants with mild infection. Related Content In the adjusted analysis, extremely low gestational age was the most significant risk factor for MSSA colonization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 17.5; 95% CI, 4.34-102.0; P <.001). Other risk factors independently associated with MSSA colonization were as follows: Vaginal delivery (aOR, 5.41; 95% CI, 1.75-21.8; P <.01); Extremely low birth weight (aOR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.21-10.7; P <.01); and Length of Hospitalization (aOR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.96; P <.0001). In regard to the development of MSSA infection following colonization, significant independent risk factors were as follows: Prior MSSA colonization (aOR, 27.49; 95% CI, 9.96-100.2; P <.001); Extremely low birth weight (aOR, 8.32; 95% CI, 3.19-23.25; P <.0001); Intubation (aOR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.033-5.84; P <.0001); and Length of hospitalization (aOR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98; P <.001). Significant independent risk factors for invasive MSSA infection were as follows: Intubation (aOR, 135.0; 95% CI, 7.8-2373.0; P <.001); Prior MSSA Colonization (aOR, 20.78; 95% CI, 1.92-224.0; P <.05); Extremely low gestational age (aOR, 15.59; 95% CI, 1.39-174.0; P <.05); and Length of hospitalization (aOR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.98; P <.05). Limitations of the study include the single-center setting, the retrospective design, and the lack of molecular microbial analysis. According to the researchers, “Neonates who become colonized with MSSA early in their hospitalization have the highest risk of developing invasive infections, indicating the importance of implementing infection prevention measures during this critical period.” References: Mahieu L, Engelen A, Hensels E, Van Damme K, Matheeussen V. Surveillance on methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection in a neonatal intensive care unit. J Hosp Infect. Published online October 17, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2023.10.003

Ruth Awori, Dr. Nelson Musooba, Jacqueline Mukokha and Dr Steven Watiti during the press briefing. PHOTO URN Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | As Uganda prepares to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st, the country faces a significant challenge due to the high number of new infections, posing a threat to the goal of ending the epidemic by 2030. Dr. Nelson Musooba, the Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, addressed journalists at the government-owned media center, highlighting the country’s substantial progress. He mentioned that the epidemic has been reduced from 18 percent in the 1980s to the current HIV prevalence of 5.2 percent. Additionally, there has been a decrease in AIDS-related deaths from 94,000 to 17,000. However, Musooba expressed concern over the persistently high rate of new infections, averaging 1,000 people per week, predominantly affecting young individuals. Musooba emphasized that girls are disproportionately affected, with infection rates 3 to 4 times higher than those among boys, primarily due to trans-generational and transactional sex. He urged Ugandans to take a proactive role in combating the spread of the disease by knowing their HIV status and accessing accurate information about HIV and AIDS. Musooba also highlighted an increase in enrollment in Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) among people living with AIDS. He stated that as of June this year, out of the estimated 1.433 million people living with HIV in December 2022, 1.4 million had enrolled in ART. He emphasized that increasing the enrollment in HIV treatment is crucial to suppressing the virus. Undetectable virus levels prevent transmission and new infections. Jacqueline Makokha, the UNAIDS Country Director, underscored the importance of community leadership in the fight against HIV. She called upon the government and stakeholders to fund community-led programs aimed at scaling up the fight against AIDS. Makokha emphasized the need to remove barriers to community leadership and create a regulatory environment that facilitates the community’s role in providing HIV services. She urged governments to ensure civil society has the space to protect the human rights of all, including marginalized communities, to effectively respond to the global HIV epidemic. Dr. Steven Watiti, the former chairman of People Living with HIV, cautioned against complacency despite lower prevalence rates. He called for collective action to fight the disease if Uganda aims to end AIDS by 2030. Watiti highlighted the persistent stigma associated with people living with HIV, impacting their adherence to treatment. He noted instances of self-stigma where individuals diagnosed with the virus refrain from disclosing their status to family members, resulting in non-adherence to medication. Furthermore, due to stigma, some individuals travel long distances to obtain ART to avoid being recognized, leading to poor adherence to treatment. Ruth Awori, the Executive Director of Young People Living with HIV, pointed out the low levels of treatment literacy within communities, hindering their ability to lead in the fight against HIV. She highlighted the limited funding for the HIV response at the country level and the violation of human rights among those living with the disease. “We know that through stigma and discrimination, many rights are violated, people living with HIV cannot access quality education because of discrimination in the school’s settings where they go and lack of supportive structures for adherence,” Awori stated. This year’s theme, “Let the Communities Lead,” will be observed with main events in Rakai district. *** URN

Although the ongoing outbreak may have raised fears that a new pandemic like COVID-19 is emerging, it has not been caused by a new pathogen, and experts say we shouldn’t be concerned. (Image credit: d3sign via Getty Images) In mid-November, news broke of an outbreak of respiratory illness in China, raising concerns that another pandemic like COVID-19 might emerge. Now, scientists say the pathogens behind the surge are actually quite common. The worries of another pandemic started Nov. 13, when China’s National Health Commission announced a nationwide increase in respiratory infections, mainly in children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Then, on Nov. 21, various media outlets reported clusters of cases of “undiagnosed pneumonia” in children in northern China, notably in Beijing and Liaoning province. The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED), an international network for disease surveillance, also amplified similar news reports. This prompted the WHO to investigate, and on Thursday (Nov. 23), the organization confirmed that the reported increase in infections and hospitalizations among children is actually being caused by several known pathogens. These pathogens include the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses and influenza. M. pneumoniae can cause bacterial pneumonia, while RSV, adenoviruses and influenza can cause viral pneumonia in severe cases. Chinese health authorities also told the WHO that they haven’t detected any “unusual or novel pathogens or unusual clinical presentations, including in Beijing and Liaoning.” In other words, this rise in infection is being caused by multiple known culprits, not a mysterious monster bug. Related: Who should get the new COVID vaccines? What to know about the 2023-2024 shots “This is not an indication of a novel pathogen; This is expected,” Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, told STAT News. “This is what most countries dealt with a year or two ago,” when they began to lift restrictions enacted in the early pandemic, she said. China only loosened its quarantining and testing policies in December 2022. Now that pandemic restrictions have been eased, children are more likely to catch bugs this winter that they were sheltered from before. This also means that their immune systems have not been exposed to many common viruses, and as a result, they have not yet acquired protective immunity against them — something known as an “immune deficit,” Dr. Ben Marais, director of the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute at the University of Sydney, told the Australian Science Media Centre (SMC). Children are also more likely to develop severe RSV infection and to be infected by M. pneumoniae than adults. Experts say that the current outbreak may be a knock-on effect of China easing its strict COVID-19 isolation and testing policies. (Image credit: d3sign via Getty Images) In addition, respiratory infections normally surge in winter. “This is a typical ‘winter surge” in acute respiratory infections,” Benjamin Cowling, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Hong Kong, told Nature. “It is happening slightly earlier this year, perhaps because of increased population susceptibility to respiratory infections resulting from three years of COVID measures,” he said. China also recently enhanced its disease surveillance systems, Paul Arbon, a professor at Flinders University in Australia who researches health emergencies and health system strengthening, told the Australian SMC. “There has been an uptick in the rates but it is that time of year and China has implemented a new national reporting system that has, as it should, picked up cases that were not reported under the old system,” he said. The WHO also noted that these enhancements “may have contributed to the observed increase in detection and reporting of respiratory illness in children.” Other countries saw similar waves of respiratory infections in children during the first winter after lifting lockdown restrictions, Francois Balloux, a professor of computational systems biology at University College London, told the U.K. SMC. In the U.S., for example, more people were hospitalized with flu in November 2022 than at any point since 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The WHO is still closely monitoring the outbreak in China and remains in contact with local health authorities, according to the Nov. 23 statement. The WHO recommends that people in China follow standard measures to reduce the risk of infection, such as getting vaccinated as appropriate, wearing face masks and maintaining a safe distance from people who are ill. As for the rest of the world, the WHO currently advises against travel or trade restrictions, and it hasn’t introduced any specific measures for people traveling to China. However, anyone who develops symptoms of respiratory illness while traveling should seek medical attention, the WHO recommends. This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice. 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For patients undergoing chemotherapy, infection risks are a critical concern. To help address this point, AION Biosystems has developed iTempShield, a skin-wearable device and software system that tracks temperature remotely and accurately. It helps patients and clinicians stay ahead of infections, especially for high-risk populations. iTempShield is a small, quarter-sized wearable device that can be placed on the skin. It is supported by cloud-based software and proprietary algorithms, which enable it to continuously measure body temperature for up to 60 days. The device is designed for various clinical applications, including oncology, sepsis monitoring, post-surgical infection detection, long-term care, and consumer home health. It is fully reimbursable and approved for use on adults and children 5 years and older in hospitals, outpatient healthcare facilities, remote patient monitoring environments, and over-the-counter consumer sales. Infection Control Today Infection Intel: Staying Ahead with Company updates and product Innovations. Currently, iTempShield is in use at Ellis Medicine’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The technology is also being deployed broadly across Schenectady, New York, through the Smart City program. To learn more about iTempShield and the program, Infection Control Today® (ICT®) spoke with Vincent Giovagnoli, the Stay Well Program Director at the City of Schenectady; and Tallat Mahmood, MD, medical director at Ellis Medicine’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Schenectady, New York, and affiliate assistant professor of internal medicine. Mahmood explained why checking a patient undergoing chemotherapy is important: “if after you give [patients undergoing] chemotherapy when their blood counts go down, they’re at particular risk for infections. And the sooner you treat them for an infection, the more likely you’re able to get a handle on it and keep them out of the hospital. It’s better to jump on it quickly, then, rather than let them get septic, and then it becomes a huge ordeal. We generally will tell patients to make, especially at that 7 to 14 [day] time period, when we know that they’re at risk, that that’s when the blood counts drop, to check their temperature every day.” Giovagnoli explains the collaboration between the city of Schenectady, New York, and Ellis Medicine’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute: “This is a collaborative effort from the city, the hospital, as AION Biosystems. The goal is to mitigate infections and reduce hospital admissions. This is also a revenue-generating, self-sustaining concept for remote patient monitoring. We want to reduce the [number] of patients [who] are going to the emergency department because, especially if [they] are immunocompromised, we want to support these immunocompromised patients by providing them with some type of remote patient monitoring resource as well as a device that is it’s very easy for them to be compliant with this device because [they] just put it on [themselves and] forget about it. What we found is that we can detect infections at an earlier stage than they typically would if they were doing an oral temperature thermometer, and then at that point, we can monitor the patient in an outpatient setting at the comfort of their home.”

RA’ANANA, Israel, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Inspira Technologies OXY B.H.N. Ltd. (Nasdaq: IINN) (Nasdaq: IINNW) (the “Company” or “Inspira”), an innovator in life support technology, is excited to announce a partnership with Ennocure MedTech Ltd. At the core of Inspira’s mission is a groundbreaking approach to oxygenate blood directly to replace life support mechanical ventilation. Inspira seeks to include bio-electronic technology as part of the INSPIRA ART and Company’s IP portfolio, to prevent the growth of bacteria that often results in a bloodstream infection (sepsis) and has partnered with Ennocure for the development of such treatment. Today, it is estimated that 250,000 bloodstream infections related to intravenous lines occur worldwide each year, leading to prolonged hospital stays and increasing healthcare costs. Once developed, Inspira plans to combine the bio-electronic novel physical stimulation technology, as a preemptive measure for potentially at-risk patients, providing a cost-competitive solution to reduce complications. Dagi-Ben Noon, CEO of Inspira, reflects on the partnership’s significance: “By Integrating our technology to oxygenate blood directly with Ennocure’s infection prevention solutions, we are focusing on potentially improving patient outcomes in ICUs and paving the way for safer, more effective life-support treatments. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the development and broaden the implementation of our advanced technology.” About Ennocure MedTech Ltd. Ennocure, is a pioneer in the development of bio-electronic Wound Dressing. At the core of the technology is a proprietary bio-electronic wound dressing designed to prevent bacterial infections, while providing remote wound monitoring & infection alerts based on AI-driven personalized therapy. Inspira Technologies OXY B.H.N. Ltd. Inspira Technologies is leading the way in transforming life-support care. Its innovative solutions are paving the way for direct blood oxygenation, bypassing the lungs, and potentially reducing the need for traditional mechanical ventilation. Beyond this, the Company is committed to advancing blood circulation technology and incorporating AI-driven monitoring systems. These advancements are part of its strategy to offer more patient-focused, data-informed care. The integration of these technologies signifies the potential to enhance patient outcomes and streamline hospital operations, marking a new era in respiratory care. For more information, please visit our corporate website:https://inspira-technologies.com/ Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements pursuant to U.S. Federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of the Company only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it discusses the partnership with Ennocure MedTech Ltd for the development of a bio-electronic treatment to prevent Associated Bloodstream Infections in ICU Patients, when it discusses the benefits of the treatment and the integration of Ennocure’s technology, when it discusses Inspira’s plans to combine the bio-electronic novel physical stimulation technology, as a preemptive measure for potentially at-risk patients, providing a cost-competitive solution to reduce complications, or when it discusses that this collaboration is expected to accelerate the development and broaden the implementation of Inspira’s technology . Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC, which is available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. For more details: Public Relations ManagerAdi ShmueliInspira Technologies[email protected] +972-9-9664485 Copyright © 2018-2023 Inspira Technologies OXY B.H.N. LTD., All rights reserved. Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1668495/Inspira_Technologies_Logo.jpg SOURCE Inspira Technologies

The NAPS campaign will target people at risk from infections. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally read aloud pause The government wants to eradicate new infections with the AIDS virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C in Switzerland by 2030. This content was published on November 29, 2023 – 14:59 November 29, 2023 – 14:59 Kestone-SDA To this end, the Federal Council has adopted the program “Stop HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus and sexually transmitted infections (NAPS)”. This goal is in line with that of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Council wrote on Wednesday. Hepatitis B and C are new additions to the prevention program. The first national program against HIV was launched in 1987. The NAPS program is intended to particularly target those people who are at increased risk of such infections. Everyone, especially younger people, should be made aware of the risks posed by these diseases and learn how they can protect themselves. The programs also provide simple and low-threshold test offers. In addition, health insurance companies will cover the costs of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at increased risk from July 1, 2024. Do you have more questions about this story? How we work This news story has been written and carefully fact-checked by an external editorial team. At SWI swissinfo.ch we select the most relevant news for an international audience and use automatic translation tools such as DeepL to translate it into English. Providing you with automatically translated news gives us the time to write more in-depth articles. You can find them hereExternal link. If you want to know more about how we work, have a look hereExternal link, and if you have feedback on this news story please write to [email protected] link. End of insertion External Content Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Articles in this story In compliance with the JTI standards More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning the public about a lab-confirmed case of measles in the Calgary area, adding that the public may have been exposed. On Tuesday evening, AHS said an individual with a lab-confirmed case of measles had been in public areas while infectious. The agency said the infected person was on Air Canada flight AC206 from Vancouver on Nov. 23. The flight landed in Calgary at 12:45 p.m. and the patient then spent two and a half hours in the domestic arrivals area of the Calgary International Airport. The individual then checked into the emergency room at the Alberta Children’s Hospital at 4 p.m. on Nov. 24 where they spent five and a half hours in the waiting room before leaving. AHS says the patient returned to the hospital on Nov. 27 at 1:15 p.m., and spent an additional three hours in the waiting room. Health officials say the patient is now being monitored, but everyone who may have been in the above areas during the indicated times should take precautions. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and call HealthLink 811 for advice,” AHS said in a statement. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times who either were born after 1970, or have less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.” Anyone who exhibits symptoms of measles, which include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, cough, runny nose/and or red eyes and a red blotchy rash that appears between three to seven days after fever, should stay home and call 811 for advice instead of visiting their health care provider. “Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization,” AHS said. Immunization for measles is offered to Albertans at no cost and is typically first administered to children at 12 months old, with a second dose given to them between four and six years old. AHS says anyone who believes they may have been exposed to this case of measles may also be able to receive immunizations. “Exposed people who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are encouraged to contact Health Link as they may be eligible for medication to prevent measles.” Further details about Alberta’s childhood immunization program can be found online.

Dame Jenny said it was ‘appropriate’ to release Covid-infected into care homes She told the Covid inquiry advice wasn’t ‘an invitation’ to discharge patients By Emily Craig Deputy Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 08:47 EST, 29 November 2023 | Updated: 10:49 EST, 29 November 2023

Video Credit: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, can significantly weaken the immune system and compromise blood vessels, amplifying the challenges of combatting viral respiratory infections. In the second episode of Know Plan Go: Protect Yourself from Respiratory Infections, by Gulf News in partnership with Pfizer, Dr Sara Abdelmgeed breaks down different aspects of hypertension, highlighting its impact on blood vessels. She also discusses the ideal blood pressure readings and emphasises the need for consistent monitoring, especially at home, considering that over 40 per cent of hypertensive individuals might be unaware of their condition. Due to the greater susceptibility of individuals with hypertension to complications from common colds and flu, Dr Sara underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in case of flu-like symptoms. “In the long term, hypertension will affect the wall of the blood vessels and it can lead to complications in different organs. It makes it a challenge for the immune system to fight and kill viruses. So, people with hypertension, especially those who have uncontrolled high blood pressure, are at high risk of getting complications and severe respiratory infections compared to those with normal blood pressure,” says Dr Sara. To watch the other episodes of the vodcast series, Know Plan Go, visit Gulfnews.com/know-plan-go. You can also listen to the episodes wherever you get our podcasts.

New research has demonstrated the potential for the ADDomer ™ platform to produce thermostable vaccines and reagents to tackle viral infections The study led by the University of Bristol and Imophoron, a biopharmaceutical company developing thermostable nanoparticle vaccines using its ADDomer platform, is published in Antibody Therapeutics today [29 November]. The research team explored the innovative technology behind the development of an ADDomer vaccine targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The study, using an integrated approach, combined synthetic, computational and structural methods with in vitro antibody selection and in vivo immunisation to design, produce and validate nature-inspired nanoparticle-based vaccines and reagents. The research demonstrates the use of Imophoron’s patented multivalent nanoparticle superbinder technology against SARS-CoV-2, including immune-evasive variants of concern. Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology at the University of Bristol, and co-author on the paper, said: “COVID-19 reminds us of the critical importance of being prepared for the next pandemic, requiring innovative approaches to help and speed up reagent and vaccine development against emerging threats. “Our study demonstrates the use of ADDomer-based nanoparticles in active and passive immunisation and provides a blueprint for developing reagents and vaccines to tackle respiratory viral infections.” Richard Bungay, Chief Executive of Imophoron, commented: “This important paper highlights Imophoron’s unique ADDomer and Gigabody technology platforms and their significant potential in developing novel, thermostable vaccines to combat infectious diseases. “The research represents a significant milestone for our team of world-class scientists, in collaboration with the excellent team at the University of Bristol, in our ongoing commitment to advancing global health.” Paper ‘In vitro generated antibodies guide thermostable ADDomer nanoparticle design for nasal vaccination and passive immunization against SARS-CoV-2′ by Imre Berger et al. in Antibody Therapeutics [open access] Further information About ImophoronImophoron was founded in 2017 and has developed a thermostable nanoparticle platform, ADDomer, a disruptive technology for the development of vaccines. The ADDomer platform is focused initially on the development of vaccines to combat present and future infectious diseases, and also has significant potential to treat diseases with high unmet needs such as oncology. The ADDomer platform is based on a self-assembling thermotolerant protein that permits rapid insertion of large numbers of epitopes in a single particle. Imophoron is building a pipeline of thermostable, nanoparticle ADDomer vaccines, including multivalent approaches, to address critical medical challenges that impact communities worldwide. Imophoron has also developed a novel nanobody platform, Gigabody, which has broad range of potential applications across multiple therapeutic areas.