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# Healthcare Hygiene magazine

Building bridges between infection prevention/epidemiology, scientific R&D, manufacturing and regulatory/compliance

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## Posts

- [New Broad-spectrum Infection Prevention Approach to Drug-resistant Bacteria and Influenza is Validated](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-broad-spectrum-infection-prevention-approach-to-drug-resistant-bacteria-and-influenza-is-validated/) - Secondary infections caused by bacteria or viruses during hospital care remain a long-standing global challenge, despite advances in modern medicine. In particular, mixed bacterial-viral infections in critically ill or immunocompromised patients are extremely difficult to treat and are associated with significantly increased mortality. At the same time, the rapid rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the
- [Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Found in Many Healthy Birthing Moms and Their Newborns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-found-in-many-healthy-birthing-moms-and-their-newborns/) - A recent study - first of its kind in the U.S. - from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found gut bacteria resistant to common antibiotics (ampicillin and ceftriaxone) in a sizable percentage of healthy birthing moms and their newborns. In this study, 38% of bacterial strains resistant to ceftriaxone transmitted from
- [New Cochrane Review Says Nurses Can Deliver Hospital Care Just as Well as Doctors](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-cochrane-review-says-nurses-can-deliver-hospital-care-just-as-well-as-doctors/) - Nurses can safely deliver many services traditionally performed by doctors, with little to no difference in deaths, safety events, or how patients felt about their health, according to a new Cochrane review. In some cases, nurse-led care even outperformed doctor-led care. Healthcare services are facing pressure due to an ageing population, complex health needs, long
- [Study Identifies Substantial Burden of Invasive E coli Disease With High Rates of Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-identifies-substantial-burden-of-invasive-e-coli-disease-with-high-rates-of-antimicrobial-resistance/) - Extraintestinal invasive Escherichia coli infections are a leading cause of sepsis and hospitalization, further complicated by increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance, say Grome, et al. (2026) who sought to describe the U.S. epidemiology of invasive E coli infections and their clinical and molecular features. This cohort study used active laboratory- and population-based surveillance data from
- [Researchers Identify Strategies for Preventing the Most Infectious Strains of S. aureus in the NICU](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-strategies-for-preventing-the-most-infectious-strains-of-s-aureus-in-the-nicu/) - A new study led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Penn Medicine) has identified which strains of Staphylococcus aureus are commonly transmitted in neonatal intensive care units and which specific strains are most likely to cause invasive and serious infections. The findings, published today in
- [Existing Prediction Models for PICC-related Bloodstream Infections are Limited in Clinical Applicability, Researchers Suggest](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/existing-prediction-models-for-picc-related-bloodstream-infections-are-limited-in-clinical-applicability-researchers-suggest/) - Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are widely used in patients requiring medium- to long-term intravenous therapy. Catheter-related bloodstream infection is a common complication that significantly impacts patient prognosis. Current research primarily focuses on identifying risk factors for infection, while studies integrating these factors into predictive models remain limited. This paper by Li, et al. (2026)
- [Scientists Uncover Link Between Influenza and Heart Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-link-between-influenza-and-heart-disease/) - Mount Sinai researchers have identified a cellular mechanism linking infections from influenza A viruses (IAVs) to cardiovascular disease, providing critical insights on how influenza can damage the heart and increase the risk of a heart attack or other major cardiovascular event. Through its work with mouse models and human data, the team also provided evidence
- [Next-generation Genetics Technology Developed to Counter the Rise of Antibiotic Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/next-generation-genetics-technology-developed-to-counter-the-rise-of-antibiotic-resistance/) - Antibiotic resistance (AR) has steadily accelerated in recent years to become a global health crisis. As deadly bacteria evolve new ways to elude drug treatments for a variety of illnesses, a growing number of "superbugs" have emerged, ramping up estimates of more than 10 million worldwide deaths per year by 2050. Scientists are looking to
- [Researcher Using New Device to Administer Antibiotics Via Spray Mist](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researcher-using-new-device-to-administer-antibiotics-via-spray-mist/) - Hongmin Sun, an associate professor in the University of Missoula-Columbia School of Medicine, demonstrated that a spray-mist device can deliver last-resort antibiotics directly into infected tissue without the harmful side effects often caused by delivery via the bloodstream. In a recent study, researchers worked with an industry partner to use a needle-free device to treat
- [Paid Sick Leave as Disease Prevention Among Home-Service Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/paid-sick-leave-as-disease-prevention-among-home-service-workers/) - With new evidence from home service workers, George Mason University researchers found that paid sick leave can function as a public health intervention. Home service workers-those who provide care, inspections, or repairs inside private homes-can often lack paid sick leave, making illness a direct financial risk. New research from George Mason University College of Public
- [Researchers Overcome Major Obstacle to Grow and Study Human Norovirus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-overcome-major-obstacle-to-grow-and-study-human-norovirus/) - Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine report in Science Advances a breakthrough in human norovirus (HuNoV) research. Norovirus is a leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis worldwide with severe outcomes mostly among young children, the elderly and people with weakened or compromised immune systems. There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral therapies, and management
- [Estimated Effectiveness of 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccination Against Severe COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/estimated-effectiveness-of-2024-2025-covid-19-vaccination-against-severe-covid-19/) - As SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 lineage descendants continue to evolve, evaluating COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe COVID-19 remains important to guide vaccination strategies. Ma, et al. (2026) sought to estimate the VE of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines against COVID-19-associated hospitalization and severe in-hospital outcomes overall and by time since dose (7-89, 90-179, and ≥180 days), JN.1
- [Scientists Say These Two Animal-Related Viruses May Become the Next Public Health Threats](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-say-these-two-animal-related-viruses-may-become-the-next-public-health-threats/) - Researchers warn that canine coronavirus, which has been linked to human respiratory illness in Southeast Asia, and influenza D, commonly found in cows, deserve closer monitoring to prevent future human outbreaks. Two emerging pathogens with animal origins - influenza D virus and canine coronavirus - have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but
- [Clinical Trial to Test Investigative Nasal Spray to Prevent Illnesses From Respiratory Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/clinical-trial-to-test-investigative-nasal-spray-to-prevent-illnesses-from-respiratory-viruses/) - Last year, at least one million people in the U.S. were hospitalized for respiratory virus illnesses like the flu or COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these individuals were at higher risk of getting infections due to living or working around young children who contract more respiratory infections. A
- [Why Aren’t More Older Adults Getting Flu or COVID-19 Shots?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/why-arent-more-older-adults-getting-flu-or-covid-19-shots/) - This winter's flu season isn't over, and COVID-19 cases have risen recently too. But a new poll taken in recent weeks shows that vaccination against both viruses lags among people 50 and over, and the national survey reveals key reasons why. In all, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging shows, 42% of
- [New Dashboard Helps Predict and Plan for Disease Outbreaks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-dashboard-helps-predict-and-plan-for-disease-outbreaks/) - When infectious diseases surge, response often comes down to timing: whether communities can position the right people and supplies before case counts spike. Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy are helping bridge that gap with a new platform designed to translate academic disease forecasting into actionable guidance
- [CDC Surpasses 1 Million Voluntary Air Travel Participants in Biosurveillance Program](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-surpasses-1-million-voluntary-air-travel-participants-in-biosurveillance-program/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces that its Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program has surpassed 1 million voluntary participants, marking a significant milestone in the United States' ability to detect and respond to emerging public health threats at our borders. TGS is one of many tools the United States uses to strengthen
- [Nearly Half of CDC Surveillance Databases Have Halted Updates, Raising Concerns About Health Data Gaps](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nearly-half-of-cdc-surveillance-databases-have-halted-updates-raising-concerns-about-health-data-gaps/) - An audit of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public databases found that nearly half of routinely updated federal health surveillance systems had stopped or delayed updates in 2025, raising concerns that gaps in data, particularly on vaccinations and respiratory diseases, could undermine clinical guidance, public health policy, and public trust. The findings are
- [Tracking Antibiotic Resistance in the Environment Gets a High-tech Upgrade](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tracking-antibiotic-resistance-in-the-environment-gets-a-high-tech-upgrade/) - Antibiotic resistance is often framed as a hospital problem, but a growing body of evidence shows that the environment plays an equally critical role in the global spread of drug resistant bacteria. Rivers, soils, wastewater, and even the air can act as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes that may eventually reach humans and animals. A
- [Nudging Both Patients and Providers Boosts Flu Vaccine Numbers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nudging-both-patients-and-providers-boosts-flu-vaccine-numbers/) - Patients were 28 percent more likely to get a flu shot when they got a text message reminder and their primary care provider already had an order for the shot waiting, new research from the Perelman School of Medicine showed. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. "This is important given the rise in
- [COVID-19 Infection Boosts Mask-wearing, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-infection-boosts-mask-wearing-study-finds/) - Researchers at the University of Osaka have found that individuals in Japan who have been infected with COVID-19 are more likely to wear masks than those who have not. In a four-year-long study, they discovered this change is not driven by fear, but by a heightened perception of the risk of "silent infection," the idea
- [Study Reveals How AMR Spreads from Gut Bacteria to Potentially Dangerous Hospital Superbugs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-how-amr-spreads-from-gut-bacteria-to-potentially-dangerous-hospital-superbugs/) - Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have uncovered how a high-risk class of genetic vectors can efficiently spread antibiotic resistance within the gut, enabling even highly virulent bacteria to acquire drug resistance under real-world conditions. The findings shed new light on how so-called superbugs, bacteria that
- [Study Finds That Brain Function Can Influence Vaccine Effectiveness](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-that-brain-function-can-influence-vaccine-effectiveness/) - Can positive anticipation that activates the brain's reward system strengthen the body's immune defenses? A new study by Tel Aviv University, the Technion, and Tel Aviv Medical Center (Ichilov), published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine, provides the first evidence in humans that brain activity associated with the expectation of reward has a measurable effect
- [Human Case Numbers of Yellow Fever Have Grown Alongside the Border Between Forested and Urban Areas](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/human-case-numbers-of-yellow-fever-have-grown-alongside-the-border-between-forested-and-urban-areas/) - Human activity continues to expand ever further into wild areas, throwing ecology out of balance. But what begins as an environmental issue often evolves into a human problem. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara investigated how changes in land use may be driving the growth in human yellow fever cases in the Amazon basin. Their analysis,
- [Early Translational Study Supports the Role of High-dose Inhaled Nitric Oxide as a Potential Antimicrobial Therapy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/early-translational-study-supports-the-role-of-high-dose-inhaled-nitric-oxide-as-a-potential-antimicrobial-therapy/) - Overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the development of bacterial resistance to conventional drugs, a global health crisis projected to result in more than 10 million deaths annually by 2050. The multidrug-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounts for approximately one-fifth of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases and is associated with severe illness and increased mortality. Nitric oxide is a
- [Misuse of AI Chatbots Tops ECRI's Annual List of Health Technology Hazards](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/misuse-of-ai-chatbots-tops-ecris-annual-list-of-health-technology-hazards/) - Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in healthcare top the 2026 list of the most significant health technology hazards. The report is prepared annually by ECRI, an independent, nonpartisan patient safety organization. Chatbots that rely on large language models (LLMs) - such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, and Grok - produce human-like and expert-sounding responses to users'
- [Using 70% Isopropanol on Healthcare Workers’ Smartphone Surfaces Showed a Fivefold Reduction in Contamination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/using-70-isopropanol-on-healthcare-workers-smartphone-surfaces-showed-a-fivefold-reduction-in-contamination/) - Poor cleaning practices for healthcare workers' mobile phones can promote microbial contamination, posing a latent risk of infections for patients. Despite widespread mobile phone use in healthcare environments, evidence on the effectiveness of disinfection methods in low and middle-income countries remains limited. Torres-Lévano, et al. (2026) sought to evaluate the disinfectant capacity of 70% isopropanol
- [Temperature, Humidity Below Standard Thresholds a Potential Predictor of CRAB Contamination in the ICU](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/temperature-humidity-below-standard-thresholds-a-potential-predictor-of-crab-contamination-in-the-icu/) - Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) has emerged as a pivotal pathogen contributing to healthcare-associated infections. Identifying environmental risk factors associated with CRAB contamination is critical. Miao, et al. (2026) sought to assess the associations of ward microclimate and procedure duration with CRAB contamination risks. High-touch environment and exposure surface, and air samples were repeatedly measured. A
- [58% of Patients Affected by 2022 Mpox Outbreak Report Lasting Physical Symptoms](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/58-of-patients-affected-by-2022-mpox-outbreak-report-lasting-physical-symptoms/) - A cohort study of more than 300 adults either diagnosed with mpox between May 2022 to January 2023 (post-MPX) and or who were at risk but never infected (no-MPX) found that more than half of those diagnosed with mpox during the 2022 outbreak still had lingering physical effects 11 to 18 months later. Most reported
- [The Jan-Feb 2026 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-jan-feb-2026-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - In the December 2025 SHEA Town Hall, "Cracking C. Diff: Evidence-based Approaches & Real-World Impact," panelists tackled the hard questions related to addressing one of healthcare's most formidable foes. Access the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine HERE.
- [Flu Season 2026: What One LA Emergency Department is Seeing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/flu-season-2026-what-one-la-emergency-department-is-seeing/) - People in Los Angeles County are increasingly visiting emergency departments with flu symptoms as cases rise nationwide. "It seems to be a more aggressive strain, and it seems to be a tougher problem," Sam Torbati, MD, co-chair and medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Emergency Department, said of this year's flu. "Last year, I don't recall
- [High Levels of Chagas Disease Parasite Found in Bugs Near U.S.-Mexico Border](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/high-levels-of-chagas-disease-parasite-found-in-bugs-near-u-s-mexico-border/) - Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso have found unusually high levels of parasitic infection in the insects that transmit Chagas disease in the Borderlands. The bugs were collected near homes and natural areas along the U.S.-Mexico border, raising concerns about the potential for local transmission of the disease in the Southwestern U.S.
- [Study Finds Higher Hantavirus Risk in Drier, Underdeveloped Areas](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-higher-hantavirus-risk-in-drier-underdeveloped-areas/) - In a recent study of the contiguous United States, Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers found that the risk of disease from hantavirus is higher in drier, underdeveloped geographic areas with more socioeconomic vulnerability and increased numbers of unique rodent species. This is the first study to examine the combined effects of multiple variables - including
- [Scientists Develop a CRISPR Fingerprint of Pathogenic C. auris](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-a-crispr-fingerprint-of-pathogenic-c-auris/) - Infection with the pathogenic yeast fungus Candida auris (C. auris) can wreak havoc on the health of hospital patients and residents of nursing homes, especially those who are already weakened by other illnesses. The pathogen easily spreads and colonizes surfaces and objects where it can survive for weeks to months, and is often resistant to
- [Should Younger and Older People Receive Different Treatments for the Same Infection?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/should-younger-and-older-people-receive-different-treatments-for-the-same-infection/) - Dealing with an infection isn't as straightforward as simply killing the pathogen. The body also needs to carefully steer and monitor its immune response to prevent collateral damage. This regulation, called disease tolerance, is crucial to protecting our tissues while the immune system tackles the infection head-on. To survive an infection, your body must activate
- [Decline in U.S. Nursing Home Capacity Since COVID-19: Rural Areas Hit Hardest](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/decline-in-u-s-nursing-home-capacity-since-covid-19-rural-areas-hit-hardest/) - Though the U.S. population is aging, nursing home capacity has declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic began. According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine this week, one quarter of U.S. counties experienced declines of 15 percent or more, with the greatest declines reported in rural areas. Analyzing licensed beds, staffing, and patient census
- [Understanding How People Make Decisions Related to Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/understanding-how-people-make-decisions-related-to-vaccination/) - Flu infections are rising across the United States, contributing to at least​ 81,000 hospitalizations and ​3,100 deaths so far this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).​ As flu outbreaks increase, why are people getting vaccinated at lower rates, seemingly against their self-interest? A Cornell psychology professor argues in new research
- [Study Examines How the Last Two Respiratory Pandemics Rapidly Spread Through Cities](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-examines-how-the-last-two-respiratory-pandemics-rapidly-spread-through-cities/) - Public health researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health used computer modeling to reconstruct how the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in the U.S. The findings highlight the rapid spread of pandemic respiratory pathogens and the challenges of early outbreak containment. The study, published in the journal Proceedings
- [New Clinical Standards Strengthen Antimicrobial Stewardship in Tuberculosis Care](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-clinical-standards-strengthen-antimicrobial-stewardship-in-tuberculosis-care/) - Resistance to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. This also applies to drugs that are central to the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), such as bedaquiline. An international panel of experts from 32 countries has therefore presented specific antimicrobial stewardship standards for TB care for the first time. The recommendations, published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and
- [Researchers Evaluate PPE Doffing Procedures Using Pathogen-Mimicking Lipid Nanoparticles](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-evaluate-ppe-doffing-procedures-using-pathogen-mimicking-lipid-nanoparticles/) - Personal protective equipment (PPE) should effectively protect healthcare workers (HCWs) when treating infectious patients; however, during doffing contamination from outside of the PPE could be transferred and might cause serious infection, say Pfuderer, et al. (2025). Therefore, complex doffing procedures have been developed, which include disinfection steps and would thereby protect the HCWs even if
- [Sepsis Outbreak Triggered by Probable Contamination of Propofol by Escherichia coli](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sepsis-outbreak-triggered-by-probable-contamination-of-propofol-by-escherichia-coli/) - Petrucci, et al. (2025) report that over a 14-day period, four patients developed sepsis within hours of undergoing endoscopic procedures at a gastroenterology outpatient clinic in Geneva, Switzerland, triggering an urgent epidemiological investigation upon notification to authorities. The case clustering raised concerns about a iatrogenic source, prompting a coordinated public health response. This report outlines
- [Engaging Medical Interns in a Multimodal Educational Intervention Did Not Significantly Increase Overall Hand Hygiene Compliance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/engaging-medical-interns-in-a-multimodal-educational-intervention-did-not-significantly-increase-overall-hand-hygiene-compliance/) - Hand hygiene is vital for infection prevention, yet compliance among medical staff remains low. This study by Wong S-C, et al. (2025) assessed whether training medical students using a multimodal educational intervention, including their roles as hand hygiene covert observers (HHCOs) in their pre-internship phase, could improve hand hygiene compliance during their internship. A retrospective
- [Local Translation of National Guidance on Discontinuing COVID-19 Isolation Into Policies Resulted in Considerable Differences Among Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/local-translation-of-national-guidance-on-discontinuing-covid-19-isolation-into-policies-resulted-in-considerable-differences-among-hospitals/) - The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vital role of infection prevention and control (IPC) policies in hospitals to protect patients and healthcare workers, with national guidance documents traditionally providing a framework for local IPC policy development. This study by Haanappel, et al. (2025) aimed to examine the translation of the Dutch national COVID-19 IPC guidance documents
- [Can Hepatitis C Cure After Treatment Be Confirmed Sooner?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/can-hepatitis-c-cure-after-treatment-be-confirmed-sooner/) - Millions of people in the U.S. and around the world are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV). But over the past decade, direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have proven effective against HCV, curing more than 95% of those who complete treatment. Traditionally, patients have had to wait at least 12 weeks after finishing treatment to find out
- [The Price of Persuasion: Why Vaccine Messaging May Deepen Social Divides](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-price-of-persuasion-why-vaccine-messaging-may-deepen-social-divides/) - Encouraging people to get vaccinated is often seen as a public health success story. However, understanding how persuading people to roll up their sleeves to receive vaccines creates social division is crucial. Particularly in a post COVID-19 world, where attitudes about infection control have may influence conflict. Recent research, published in Vaccine: X highlights the
- [New Findings on Candida auris Open up Potential Targets for Future Therapies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-findings-on-candida-auris-open-up-potential-targets-for-future-therapies/) - A new study from the Medical University of Vienna shows how the multi-resistant fungus Candida auris utilizes carbon dioxide (CO₂) to survive on the skin and become resistant to antifungal therapies. The research team identified several new targets that could be used in the future to curb the spread and infections caused by Candida auris.
- [Study Suggests that Water Treatment Methods May Impact the Risk of Legionnaires’ Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-that-water-treatment-methods-may-impact-the-risk-of-legionnaires-disease/) - Preliminary results of a nationwide study suggest that the disinfectant used to treat water before it is distributed through pipes may impact the incidence of Legionnaire's disease in certain parts of the country. The findings will be presented Dec. 9 at the annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis in Washington, D.C. Waterborne diseases
- [Could Hidden Infections Be Fueling Long-COVID?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-hidden-infections-be-fueling-long-covid/) - For millions suffering from long COVID, their persistent breathlessness, brain fog and fatigue remain a maddening mystery, but a group of leading microbiologists think they may have cracked the case. The culprit for some long COVID cases, they suggest, might be other infections that accompany SARS-CoV-2. A review published in eLife by 17 experts, including
- [Decoding Long-COVID: Investigators Reveal Why the Body Keeps Fighting the War](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/decoding-long-covid-investigators-reveal-why-the-body-keeps-fighting-the-war/) - A new study from investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) sheds light on why some people never fully recover from COVID-19. In a study analyzing blood samples from more than 140 participants, scientists led by Dan H. Barouch, MD, PhD, and colleagues tracked the immunologic and inflammatory responses over time in patients who
- [Study to Evaluate Whether Dengue Outbreaks Can be Anticipated Earlier](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-to-evaluate-whether-dengue-outbreaks-can-be-anticipated-earlier/) - Thousands of dengue forecasting models have been published, but few have been tested in real public-health settings. Now, researchers from the US and Australia are launching a field evaluation in Vietnam to see whether a new early-warning platform can support earlier interventions against a disease that WHO says puts nearly half the world's population at
- [Cases of Pertussis Remain High, but Knowledge About the Disease Still Low](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cases-of-pertussis-remain-high-but-knowledge-about-the-disease-still-low/) - Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a vaccination-preventable illness that has been on the rise in the United States. Following a several-year lull during the pandemic, cases of whooping cough rose sixfold in 2024 and remain high. As of Dec. 6, data show more than 26,600 U.S. cases reported this year, fewer than in
- [Adults Face Lasting Effects Months After RSV Hospitalization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/adults-face-lasting-effects-months-after-rsv-hospitalization/) - Respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV, is often associated with cold-like symptoms in young children. But a new study led by a University of Michigan School of Public Health researcher finds that RSV can have profound, long-lasting effects in adults as well - especially those who have been hospitalized. The findings, published in the
- [AI Points Scientists to New Drug Target to Fight, Treat Mpox](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-points-scientists-to-new-drug-target-to-fight-treat-mpox/) - With the help of artificial intelligence, an international team of researchers has made the first major inroad to date towards a new and more effective way to fight the monkeypox virus (MPXV), which causes a painful and sometimes deadly disease that can be especially dangerous for children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Reporting in the
- [APIC and SHEA Announce Joint Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-and-shea-announce-joint-healthcare-infection-prevention-advisory-group/) - The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have announced a new collaborative initiative, the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG), to address infection prevention priorities of national importance. The elimination of the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has created gaps
- [Surveyed Americans More Likely to Accept Guidance From AMA Than CDC on Vaccine Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surveyed-americans-more-likely-to-accept-guidance-from-ama-than-cdc-on-vaccine-safety/) - For decades, health-related statements by major professional health associations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) agreed with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because both relied on the same body of scientific knowledge, much of it funded by the federal health sector. However, the public can no longer assume that
- [Study Uses Worn Face Masks as a Passive Tool to Monitor Indoor Air](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-uses-worn-face-masks-as-a-passive-tool-to-monitor-indoor-air/) - According to a new Northwestern University study, the ambient air on airplanes and in hospitals mostly contains harmless microbes typically associated with human skin. In the first study of its kind, scientists used an unexpected sampling tool - used face masks and an aircraft air filter - to uncover the invisible world of microbes floating
- [Scientists Investigate How Influenza Viruses Enter Our Cells](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-investigate-how-influenza-viruses-enter-our-cells/) - Fever, aching limbs and a runny nose - as winter returns, so too does the flu. The disease is triggered by influenza viruses, which enter our body through droplets and then infect cells. Researchers from Switzerland and Japan have now investigated this virus in minute detail. Using a microscopy technique that they developed themselves, the
- [Hospital Infections Associated With Higher Risk of Dementia](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospital-infections-associated-with-higher-risk-of-dementia/) - A large-scale meta-analysis, "Hospitalization with infections and risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis," led by first author Wei Yu Chua from the National University of Singapore and corresponding author Eng-King Tan from the National Neuroscience Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, shows that adults hospitalized with infections have a significantly higher risk
- [The Nov-Dec 2025 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-nov-dec-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/)
- [Study Finds Flu Vaccine Performance Varies by Age](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-flu-vaccine-performance-varies-by-age/) - New Cleveland Clinic research offers key insights on improving flu vaccine design and varying options for older and younger adults. Led by Dr. Ted Ross, the research team found that while four different inactivated influenza vaccines all triggered immune responses, deeper immune profiling showed that the high-dose vaccine (FHD) was more effective in older adults
- [Monoclonal Antibodies Effectively Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/monoclonal-antibodies-effectively-prevent-respiratory-syncytial-virus-in-infants/) - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus which usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms during the respiratory virus season. However, especially among young infants under six months of age or people over 65, RSV infection might turn more severe. Health complications associated with RSV include bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung),
- [Experts Urge Continued Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Doses for Newborns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-urge-continued-hepatitis-b-vaccine-birth-doses-for-newborns/) - In a commentary published in Gastroenterology, leading experts urge that all newborns in the United States continue to receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Since 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have recommended hepatitis B vaccine for
- [Women are Three Times More Likely Than Men to Get Severe Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/women-are-three-times-more-likely-than-men-to-get-severe-long-covid/) - Research published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals key biological differences that may explain why women with long COVID - especially those who develop chronic fatigue syndrome - tend to experience more severe and persistent symptoms than men do. Post COVID-19 condition, or long COVID, is diagnosed when neurological, respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms develop or continue
- [Everyday Levels of Antibiotics in the Environment May Accelerate the Global Spread of Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/everyday-levels-of-antibiotics-in-the-environment-may-accelerate-the-global-spread-of-resistance/) - Antibiotic resistance is widely recognized as one of the most urgent public health challenges of the 21st century. Now, a new study shows that even very small amounts of antibiotics that commonly appear in soil, rivers, wastewater, and agricultural runoff may significantly accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. The research, published in
- [New Test Could Speed Detection of Three Serious Regional Fungal Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-test-could-speed-detection-of-three-serious-regional-fungal-infections/) - Certain serious fungal infections occur in regions of the United States with specific environments and are often tied to soil exposure. These infections can affect both healthy and immunocompromised people, but proper diagnosis remains slow, which delays treatment. The current gold standard for making a diagnosis relies on fungal culturing, which can take weeks, and
- [Early MMR Vaccine Adoption During the 2025 Texas Measles Outbreak](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/early-mmr-vaccine-adoption-during-the-2025-texas-measles-outbreak/) - As of Aug. 5, 2025, the U.S. has reported 1356 measles cases, the largest number of cases since elimination was declared in 2000. Most of these cases have occurred in Texas. In response to the growing Texas outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidelines through the Health Alert Network (HAN)
- [2025 Expert Consensus Targets Extended-spectrum β-lactamase Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/2025-expert-consensus-targets-extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-resistance/) - Researchers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital have released new national guidance addressing infections caused by ESBL-E. Published (DOI: 10.12290/xhyxzz.2025-0494) in the Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the document synthesizes the latest data on epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic principles
- [Rising Antibiotic Resistance Spurs New Treatment Strategy for Pediatric Pertussis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rising-antibiotic-resistance-spurs-new-treatment-strategy-for-pediatric-pertussis/) - The resurgence of pertussis among children and adults has reignited global concern despite widespread vaccination efforts. To further standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pertussis, a expert consensus introduces updated concepts for diagnosing and treating pertussis in children, emphasizing the shift of infection sources from infants to older age groups. It outlines clear clinical
- [Scientists Tie Lupus to a Virus Nearly All of Us Carry](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-tie-lupus-to-a-virus-nearly-all-of-us-carry/) - One of humanity's most ubiquitous infectious pathogens bears the blame for the chronic autoimmune condition called systemic lupus erythematosus or, colloquially, lupus, Stanford Medicine investigators and their colleagues have found. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which resides silently inside the bodies of 19 out of 20 Americans, is directly responsible for commandeering what starts out as
- [Study Finds High Rates of Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria in Raw Milk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-high-rates-of-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-in-raw-milk/) - Raw cow and sheep milk is frequently contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could pose a threat to human and animal health, reports a new study led by Tahir Usman of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan, published Nov. 12, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One. In Pakistan, over 95% of milk is consumed in
- [Early-Stage Clinical Trial Demonstrates Promise of Intranasal Influenza Vaccine in Generating Broad Immunity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/early-stage-clinical-trial-demonstrates-promise-of-intranasal-influenza-vaccine-in-generating-broad-immunity/) - Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) reported encouraging results from an early phase clinical trial that found an experimental intranasal vaccine triggered a broad immune response against multiple strains of H5N1 bird flu. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, highlights the potential
- [Scientists Uncover the Secrets of Microbial Motion](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-the-secrets-of-microbial-motion/) - New studies from Arizona State University reveal surprising ways bacteria can move without their flagella - the slender, whip-like propellers that usually drive them forward. Movement lets bacteria form communities, spread to new places or escape from danger. Understanding how they do it can help us develop new tools to fight against infections. In the
- [Could Tiny Airborne Plastics Help Viruses Spread?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-tiny-airborne-plastics-help-viruses-spread/) - As plastic pollution worsens worldwide, scientists are uncovering a new and unsettling possibility. Tiny airborne fragments of plastic, known as micro- and nanoplastics, may do more than pollute the air we breathe. They could also help viruses linger and travel farther, potentially influencing how respiratory diseases spread. A commentary published in New Contaminants by Mengjie Wu and
- [Addressing a Disease Rebound After COVID-19 That Didn’t Happen](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/addressing-a-disease-rebound-after-covid-19-that-didnt-happen/) - As the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 stretched on, scientists watched for all sorts of unintended effects, from social to economic to environmental. But the experts who predict disease transmission wondered specifically whether infectious diseases other than COVID-19 would surge after the prolonged isolation of the population. Would social distancing cause us to have less immunity
- [Smarter Sepsis Care: Deep Learning Model Guides Steroid Treatment Decisions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/smarter-sepsis-care-deep-learning-model-guides-steroid-treatment-decisions/) - Sepsis remains one of the most challenging conditions in critical care medicine, marked by a dysregulated host response to infection that can rapidly progress to multi-organ failure. Despite advances in intensive care, the 30-day survival rate for patients with septic shock is only 60% to 70% in developed countries. One of the most debated treatment
- [Demographic Shifts Could Boost Drug-resistant Infections Across Europe](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/demographic-shifts-could-boost-drug-resistant-infections-across-europe/) - The rates of bloodstream infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria will increase substantially across Europe in the next five years, driven largely by aging populations, according to a new paper published November 4 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Gwenan Knight of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, and colleagues. Antimicrobial resistance
- [Scientists Uncover the Secrets of Yellow Fever](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-the-secrets-of-yellow-fever/) - University of Queensland researchers have captured the first high-resolution images of the yellow fever virus (YFV), a potentially deadly viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects the liver. They've revealed structural differences between the vaccine strain (YFV-17D) and the virulent, disease-causing strains of the virus. Dr. Summa Bibby from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular
- [Unlocking How Viruses Punch Above Their Weight](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unlocking-how-viruses-punch-above-their-weight/) - Led by Monash University and the University of Melbourne, and published in Nature Communications, a new study reveals how rabies virus manipulates so many cellular processes despite being armed with only a few proteins. Researchers believe other dangerous viruses like Nipah and Ebola may also work the same way, possibly enabling the development of antivirals
- [Consistent Implementation of National Recommendations for the Control of MDROs Remains a Significant Challenge](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/consistent-implementation-of-national-recommendations-for-the-control-of-mdros-remains-a-significant-challenge/) - Screening patients at risk of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriage is a cornerstone of infection prevention and control to identify carriers and prevent transmission. In 2021, the Swiss Centre for Infection Prevention Swissnoso published the first national recommendations for the prevention and control of MDROs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
- [Tickborne Illnesses Growing, Bringing New Disease Threats, Experts Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tickborne-illnesses-growing-bringing-new-disease-threats-experts-say/) - Two West Virginia University experts warn that ticks are more prevalent than ever, and as encounters with humans increase, so do risks for contracting diseases like Lyme and alpha-gal syndrome. According to Timothy Driscoll, associate professor of biology at the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and Matt Lokant, assistant professor at the WVU
- [Nearly 1 in 5 UTIs Linked to Contaminated Meat](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nearly-1-in-5-utis-linked-to-contaminated-meat/) - A new study estimates that nearly one in five urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Southern California may be caused by E. coli strains transmitted through contaminated meat - and pose a hidden foodborne risk to millions of people not just in California but across the US. The research, published in mBio, also found that people
- [Discovery of Viral Entry Routes Into Cells Points to Future Prevention, Treatment Strategies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/discovery-of-viral-entry-routes-into-cells-points-to-future-prevention-treatment-strategies/) - Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified central routes that two deadly viruses take to invade human cells and have designed decoy molecules that block the infections. The discoveries - published this week in two separate studies - set the stage for developing new prevention and treatment strategies for yellow
- [Exploring Home Treatment With IV Antibiotics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/exploring-home-treatment-with-iv-antibiotics/) - Treating patients at home with IV antibiotics, rather than in a clinical setting, could reduce by half costs to the NHS in the UK and relieve pressure on hospital beds - according to a University of East Anglia study. Researchers investigated whether having antibiotics prepared at home and continuously delivered into the bloodstream by an
- [Silent Carriers Drive E. coli Spread in Households, Researchers Find](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/silent-carriers-drive-e-coli-spread-in-households-researchers-find/) - Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), have discovered that some people can carry large amounts of a multidrug-resistant strain of Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (E. coli ST131) in their gut for extended periods without showing any symptoms, and can unknowingly pass it on to their
- [Scientists Develop a Way to Track Donor Bacteria After Fecal Microbiota Transplants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-a-way-to-track-donor-bacteria-after-fecal-microbiota-transplants/) - Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and their collaborators have developed a new technology to track beneficial bacteria after fecal microbiota transplants (FMT). The approach provides a detailed view of how donor microbes take hold and persist in the patients' gut-not only which bacteria successfully colonized but how they change over
- [E. coli Strain Blocks Gut’s Defense Mechanism to Spread Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/e-coli-strain-blocks-guts-defense-mechanism-to-spread-infection/) - When harmful bacteria that cause food poisoning, such as E. coli, invade through the digestive tract, gut cells usually fight back by pushing infected cells out of the body to stop the infection from spreading. In a new study published today in Nature, scientists from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in collaboration with
- [Experts Address the Human Factors of Healthcare Environmental Hygiene for Clean Hospitals Day 2025](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-address-the-human-factors-of-healthcare-environmental-hygiene-for-clean-hospitals-day-2025/) - In observance of Clean Hospitals Day, celebrated every October 20, Peters, et al. (2025) announce this year's theme is "Human Factors and Collaboration", highlighting the role that both human excellence and error play in infection prevention and control (IPC), and how focusing on how environmental service (EVS) workers and their management is crucial to providing
- [New Monoclonal Antibody Shows Promise for Preventing Malaria Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-monoclonal-antibody-shows-promise-for-preventing-malaria-infections/) - Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death among children in sub-Saharan Africa, claiming more than 600,000 lives each year worldwide with limited efficacy in currently available treatments and vaccines. Now a new early-stage clinical trial found that a novel monoclonal antibody provided dose-dependent full protection against the malaria parasite with minimal side effects.
- [Researchers Discover Method to Combat Antibiotic Treatment Failure](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-discover-method-to-combat-antibiotic-treatment-failure/) - Since the 1940s, antibiotics have been our primary weapon against harmful bacterial infections. But some stubborn pathogens, like Staphylococcus aureus, can infect and hide within our own immune cells, making it incredibly difficult for antibiotics to reach and eliminate them. Brain Conlon, PhD, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the UNC School of Medicine,
- [Bacterial 'Chatter' Slows Wound Healing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bacterial-chatter-slows-wound-healing/) - Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus - one of the most common causes of skin and soft tissue infections worldwide - delays wound healing. The new study reveals that quorum sensing - a process in which bacteria communicate and coordinate behavior
- [Moderate-dose Corticosteroid Treatments Reduce Symptoms of Sepsis and Speed Up Patient Recovery](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/moderate-dose-corticosteroid-treatments-reduce-symptoms-of-sepsis-and-speed-up-patient-recovery/) - While our immune systems typically do a great job containing pathogens and clearing infections, they can occasionally overreact. When the immune response to infection becomes excessive, it causes rapid, widespread organ damage in a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Worldwide, sepsis imposes significant social, economic, and health costs. Estimates put global cases of sepsis at 50
- [WHO Issues New Guidelines on Community Hand Hygiene](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/who-issues-new-guidelines-on-community-hand-hygiene/) - The World Health organization (WHO) and UNICEF have released the first-ever global Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Community Settings to support governments and practitioners in promoting effective hand hygiene outside health care - across households, public spaces and institutions. Framing hand hygiene as a public good and a government responsibility, the Guidelines translate evidence into
- [Targeted Interventions Reduced CDI Rates in the ICU Setting](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/targeted-interventions-reduced-cdi-rates-in-the-icu-setting/) - Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in high-risk environments like intensive care units (ICUs). Effective prevention requires comprehensive interventions, including antimicrobial stewardship, infection control measures, and healthcare worker training to mitigate infection rates, say Zhang, et al. (2025), who conducted a three-phase prospective intervention in two intensive care units
- [Researchers Find No Correlation Between State-mandated OR Air Changes Per Hour and SSIs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-find-no-correlation-between-state-mandated-or-air-changes-per-hour-and-ssis/) - Air changes per hour (ACH) in operating rooms (ORs) are energy intensive, and optimal air change settings are not known. Atkinson, et al. (2025) sought to explore whether there is a relationship between surgical site infections (SSIs) across states based on their state-mandated ACHs. Wilcoxon test was used to investigate differences between SSI rates for
- [Researchers Address Indiscriminate Use of Non-Sterile Gloves in Healthcare Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-address-indiscriminate-use-of-non-sterile-gloves-in-healthcare-settings/) - The indiscriminate use of non-sterile gloves in hospitals and clinics is significantly adding to environmental pollution, with little evidence to prove that there are substantial benefits, asserts a new study. This new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) highlights the lack of evidenced-based guidelines in the use of non-sterile gloves in healthcare nursing and other
- [Tracking Infectious Disease Spread Via Commuting Pattern Data](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tracking-infectious-disease-spread-via-commuting-pattern-data/) - For countless millions across the globe, commuting to work or school is an everyday routine. But during a pandemic, the practice can contribute enormously to the spread of infectious disease, a fact that many traditional metapopulation models often overlook because they are designed primarily for migration and treat people as if they rarely move locally.
- [Pathogenic Yeast Strains Found in Urban Air but Not Along the Coast](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pathogenic-yeast-strains-found-in-urban-air-but-not-along-the-coast/) - As city dwellers may know, escaping to the beach can provide a much-needed change of scenery or a mental reset. Historically, some doctors even prescribed trips to the sea to treat diseases. And now, research published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters provides another reason to visit the coast. A pilot study found that
- [Scientists Take a Step Toward Diagnosing the Flu with Your Tongue](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-take-a-step-toward-diagnosing-the-flu-with-your-tongue/) - Flu season is fast approaching in the northern hemisphere. And a taste-based influenza test could someday have you swapping nasal swabs for chewing gum. A new molecular sensor has been designed to release a thyme flavor when it encounters the influenza virus. Researchers reporting in ACS Central Science say that they plan to incorporate this
- [New Vaccine Shows Promise Against Typhoid and Invasive Salmonella in First Human Trial](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-vaccine-shows-promise-against-typhoid-and-invasive-salmonella-in-first-human-trial/) - Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) have completed a successful Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel vaccine designed to protect against both typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella--two major causes of illness and death among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Results were published in
- [Researchers Find Key to Stopping Rotavirus Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-find-key-to-stopping-rotavirus-infection/) - Rotavirus causes severe dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children, contributing to more than 128,500 deaths per year globally despite widespread vaccination efforts. Although rotavirus is more prevalent in developing countries, declining vaccination uptake in the United States has resulted in increasing cases in recent years. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in
- [Little-known Strep Bacteria Behind Growing Number of Severe Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/little-known-strep-bacteria-behind-growing-number-of-severe-infections/) - An under-recognized strep bacterium is causing a growing number of serious infections in Australia, with First Nations Australians disproportionately affected, according to new research published today in The Lancet Microbe. The study, led by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), examined invasive infections caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE), a
- [Study Finds New Program to Enhance HIV Screening Boosts Testing in Urgent Care Clinics, Emergency Departments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-new-program-to-enhance-hiv-screening-boosts-testing-in-urgent-care-clinics-emergency-departments/) - A new study from researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City finds that a comprehensive program with a strong focus on education in the health system’s urgent care clinics and emergency departments significantly increased HIV testing for patients being evaluated for other sexually transmitted diseases, helping to increase the number of previously undiagnosed patients
- [Ebola Virus Can Persist in Survivors for Months, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ebola-virus-can-persist-in-survivors-for-months-study-shows/) - More than half of survivors of the Sudan Ebola virus still suffer serious health problems two years post-infection and the virus can persist in semen and breast milk for months after recovery, according to the first study examining the virus’s long-term effects. The study, led by researchers at Washington State University, found 57.5% of the
- [Some Human GII.4 Norovirus are Better Than Others at Infecting Cells](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/some-human-gii-4-norovirus-are-better-than-others-at-infecting-cells/) - Human noroviruses, GII.4 strains in particular, are the chief drivers of acute viral gastroenteritis around the world, a condition for which there are no vaccines or antivirals. Understanding how these viruses enter cells in the gut, a first step toward developing an infection, can lead to effective therapeutics. With that goal in mind, researchers at
- [Researchers Deconstruct Chikungunya Outbreaks to Improve Prediction and Vaccine Development](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-deconstruct-chikungunya-outbreaks-to-improve-prediction-and-vaccine-development/) - The symptoms come on quickly - acute fever, followed by debilitating joint pain that can last for months. Though rarely fatal, the chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne illness, can be particularly severe for high-risk individuals, including newborns and older adults. While the virus is common in tropical and subtropical regions, including Asia, Africa and South America,
- [The Dose Makes the Difference in Candida albicans-produced Toxin](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-dose-makes-the-difference-in-candida-albicans-produced-toxin/) - The yeast fungus Candida albicans not only uses the toxin candidalysin to cause infections, but also to colonize the oral mucosa inconspicuously – but only in finely balanced amounts. Too little toxin prevents oral colonization, too much triggers the immune system and leads to an inflammatory defense reaction, as an international research team from Zurich,
- [Despite Increase in U.S. Cases, Worry About West Nile Virus Remains Low](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/despite-increase-in-u-s-cases-worry-about-west-nile-virus-remains-low/) - West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. As of Sept. 23, over 1,100 human cases of West Nile disease have been reported across 42 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including nearly 750 cases of the more serious neuroinvasive form which
- [Study Indicates Inactive H5N1 Influenza Virus in Pasteurized Milk Poses Minimal Health Risks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-indicates-inactive-h5n1-influenza-virus-in-pasteurized-milk-poses-minimal-health-risks/) - Proteins and genetic material from H5N1 influenza viruses have been found in pasteurized milk in the United States, but a study from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital shows those inactive viral pieces represent little to no health risk. As the H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows continues in the U.S., commercial milk remains contaminated by viral
- [RSV Vaccines Safe and Effective, New Cochrane Review Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rsv-vaccines-safe-and-effective-new-cochrane-review-finds/) - A new Cochrane review demonstrates that vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are both safe and effective in protecting vulnerable groups that are most at risk of serious illness, including older adults and infants. RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds but can also lead to life-threatening lung infections like pneumonia. Children
- [Images Reveal How Antibiotic Pierces Bacteria’s Armor](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/images-reveal-how-antibiotic-pierces-bacterias-armor/) - A team led by University College London (UCL) and Imperial College London researchers has shown for the first time how life-saving antibiotics called polymyxins pierce the armor of harmful bacteria. The findings, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections – especially urgent since drug-resistant infections already kill more
- [Measles Vaccination Coverage After a Post-elimination Outbreak](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/measles-vaccination-coverage-after-a-post-elimination-outbreak/) - Sustaining measles elimination in the U.S. requires high population-level vaccination coverage, say Martoma, et al (2025), who add that post-elimination outbreaks expose persistent immunity gaps, especially in under-immunized communities. Understanding vaccination trends after such outbreaks is critical for public health responses and preparedness. The researchers sought to evaluate changes in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage after
- [How Mosquito-Borne Viruses Breach the Brain’s Defense](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-mosquito-borne-viruses-breach-the-brains-defense/) - Mosquito-borne viruses can cause more than fevers and joint pain. In severe cases, they invade the brain, leading to seizures, encephalitis, lasting memory loss and sometimes death. But thanks to a new UCLA study, researchers have uncovered how some of these viruses breach the brain’s defenses — and point toward ways of keeping them out.
- [New Single-Dose, Temperature-Stable Rabies Vaccines Could Expand Global Access](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-single-dose-temperature-stable-rabies-vaccines-could-expand-global-access/) - Roughly 60,000 people worldwide die every year from rabies, a virus that attacks the nervous system and can trigger aggression, seizures, paralysis and coma. In industrialized countries, infections and deaths in humans are rare, thanks to vaccines widely given to pets and people for prevention and available as a life-saving treatment once someone has been
- [Study Shows Mucus Contains Molecules That Block Salmonella Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-mucus-contains-molecules-that-block-salmonella-infection/) - Mucus is more than just a sticky substance: It contains a wealth of powerful molecules called mucins that help to tame microbes and prevent infection. In a new study, MIT researchers have identified mucins that defend against Salmonella and other bacteria that cause diarrhea. The researchers now hope to mimic this defense system to create
- [Scientists Develop a Virus Cocktail to Combat Superbugs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-a-virus-cocktail-to-combat-superbugs/) - In a major advance for infectious disease treatment, researchers from Monash University and The Alfred have developed a bespoke phage therapy product that uses bacterial viruses, known as ‘bacteriophages,’ to combat a highly problematic, antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The treatment, named Entelli-02, is a five-phage cocktail designed specifically to target Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC), a group
- [CDC Reports Latest National Data on Syphilis in Newborns and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-reports-latest-national-data-on-syphilis-in-newborns-and-sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/) - New provisional CDC data show U.S. cases of newborn syphilis increased for the 12th consecutive year in 2024, with nearly 4,000 cases reported. Newborn syphilis is a deadly but preventable consequence of the nation’s ongoing sexually transmitted infections (STI) epidemic. In 2024, cases of newborn syphilis were: • Up nearly 2% over 2023, notably lower
- [The Sept-Oct 2025 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-sept-oct-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - At a recent town hall presentation, “Back to Basics: Reinforcing Hand Hygiene & Infection Prevention Fundamentals,” hosted by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), a panel of experts discussed key issues in hand hygiene compliance. To access the issue, CLICK HERE
- [CDC Report Identifies Sharp Rise in Dangerous Drug-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-report-identifies-sharp-rise-in-dangerous-drug-resistant-bacteria/) - A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, highlights a dramatic increase in a dangerous type of drug-resistant bacteria called NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE). In a 2022 special report, COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, CDC noted that in 2020 there were approximately 12,700
- [Resilience Under Pressure: Study Reveals Ambulance Staff’s Adaptive Response to Covid-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/resilience-under-pressure-study-reveals-ambulance-staffs-adaptive-response-to-covid-19/) - A Swansea University study has uncovered the intense emotional and operational strain experienced by emergency ambulance staff across the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. Part of the TRIM project (What TRIage model is safest and most effective for the Management of 999 callers with suspected Covid-19), this latest research was led by Swansea’s professor Helen
- [Chagas Disease Declared Endemic by CDC](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/chagas-disease-declared-endemic-by-cdc/) - Chagas disease, a tropical disease spread by parasites carried in kissing bugs, should now be considered endemic, or regularly occurring, within the United States, according to a report published by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disease affects 6 million people in 21 countries, predominantly in Central and South America. Until now,
- [New CRISPR Test Could Make Tuberculosis Screening as Simple as a Mouth Swab](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-crispr-test-could-make-tuberculosis-screening-as-simple-as-a-mouth-swab/) - Tulane University researchers have developed an enhanced CRISPR-based tuberculosis test that works with a simple tongue swab, a potential breakthrough that could allow easier, community-based screenings for the world’s deadliest infectious disease. Current TB tests rely on sputum, mucus collected from the lungs and lower respiratory system. While rich in TB bacteria required for testing,
- [Canada Issues 2025 AMR Priority Pathogens Ranking and Public Health Implications](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/canada-issues-2025-amr-priority-pathogens-ranking-and-public-health-implications/) - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat that undermines the effectiveness of treatments and the sustainability of health systems. In 2015, Canada published its first AMR pathogen prioritization list, which laid the foundation for the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (CARSS). Since then, evolving resistance patterns, newly emerging pathogens, and enhanced surveillance capacity
- [Scientists Identify Four Ways Our Bodies Respond to COVID-19 Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-identify-four-ways-our-bodies-respond-to-covid-19-vaccines/) - Two healthcare workers get COVID-19 vaccinations on the same day. Both show strong antibody responses initially, but six months later one stays healthy while the other contracts the virus. A new study published in Science Translational Medicine could help explain this difference. Researchers tracked individuals’ antibody levels after vaccinations and identified four distinct patterns of
- [Lack of Soap Most-Reported Barrier to Effective Hand Hygiene in Shared Community Spaces](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lack-of-soap-most-reported-barrier-to-effective-hand-hygiene-in-shared-community-spaces/) - A lack of soap is the most often reported barrier to effective hand hygiene—key to curbing the spread of infection—in shared community spaces, such as households, schools, and public places, finds a systematic review of the available research, published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health. It found that the barriers most often reported
- [Drug-resistant Fungus Candidozyma auris Confirmed to Spread Rapidly in European Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/drug-resistant-fungus-candidozyma-auris-confirmed-to-spread-rapidly-in-european-hospitals/) - The latest survey from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the fourth of its kind, confirms that Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) continues to spread quickly across European hospitals, posing a serious threat to patients and healthcare systems. Case numbers are rising, outbreaks are growing in scale, and several countries report ongoing
- [How Nations Balanced Health and Economy in the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-nations-balanced-health-and-economy-in-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - How did different countries fare in achieving a balance between infection control and economic stability during the COVID-19 pandemic? To address this question, researchers studied the temporal dynamics of number of deaths, vaccination rates, production, and economic recovery across multiple countries. The study highlights that countries differed in risk attitudes and economic preferences that shaped
- [Most Surveyed Americans Favor MMR Vaccine Requirement for Public School, Survey Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/most-surveyed-americans-favor-mmr-vaccine-requirement-for-public-school-survey-finds/) - Although Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted on social media in April that the “most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” in a CBS News interview that month he said, “The federal government’s position, my position, is that people should get the measles vaccine, but
- [CDC Issues New U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines on Occupational HIV Exposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-issues-new-u-s-public-health-service-guidelines-on-occupational-hiv-exposure-and-postexposure-prophylaxis/) - he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on behalf of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), has released the 2025 Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The guidelines are published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (ICHE), the journal of the Society
- [Study Indicates Warming Climate Drives Disease Surge](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-indicates-warming-climate-drives-disease-surge/) - Warmer weather across the globe is reshaping the landscape of human health. Case in point: dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease once confined largely to the tropics which often brings flu-like symptoms and without proper medical care can escalate to severe bleeding, organ failure, and even death. Cases of dengue could rise as much as 76%
- [Polarization Around Vaccine Hesitancy Was 12 Times Greater Than Past Outbreaks, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/polarization-around-vaccine-hesitancy-was-12-times-greater-than-past-outbreaks-study-finds/) - Political polarization during COVID-19 was 12 times greater than in past disease outbreaks in terms of vaccine hesitancy, according to a comprehensive new study by Caitlin McMurtry, an assistant professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition, polarization was five times greater around concern about infection, the study found. The
- [Stopping an Outbreak of an Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in a SoCal Hospital](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/stopping-an-outbreak-of-an-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-in-a-socal-hospital/) - It started quietly — with one ICU patient, one culture and one highly unusual result. The lab detected Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common hospital-acquired bacterium, often found in moist environments. But this strain was different: It carried a gene called NDM-1, or New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase, an enzyme that breaks down carbapenems and other powerful beta-lactam antibiotics,
- [Antibody-making Cells Reveal New Function in Response to Flu Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibody-making-cells-reveal-new-function-in-response-to-flu-infection/) - The body has an intricate system to defend against infections where each type of immune cell plays a distinct role. Now, a study led by researchers from the Penn State College of Medicine has uncovered a new function of the immune cells that are known for making antibodies. They determined that, in response to flu
- [One Dose of Antibiotic Treats Early Syphilis as Well as Three Doses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/one-dose-of-antibiotic-treats-early-syphilis-as-well-as-three-doses/) - Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that a single injection of the antibiotic benzathine penicillin G (BPG) successfully treated early syphilis just as well as the three-injection regimen used by many clinicians in the United States and elsewhere. These findings from a late-stage clinical trial suggest the second and third
- [New AI Tool Reveals How Drugs Kill Tuberculosis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-ai-tool-reveals-how-drugs-kill-tuberculosis/) - Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's deadliest infectious disease-and one of the hardest to cure. Standard treatment requires a cocktail of multiple drugs over at least six months, and one in five patients have a type of TB that resists these first-line medications. Now, a new study offers a powerful AI-assisted method for uncovering exactly how
- [Vaccine-Approval Changes Create Challenge for Healthcare Sector](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaccine-approval-changes-create-challenge-for-healthcare-sector/) - The Food and Drug Administration's COVID-19 vaccine approval issued Aug. 27 comes with restrictions on who's eligible to receive the vaccine. Meanwhile, the administration has endorsed seasonal influenza vaccines - but only if they do not include the mercury-based preservative thimerosal. These changes have sparked confusion among consumers. Will vaccines be available this fall? Will
- [APIC Urges Leapfrog to Revise Hand Hygiene Standards Citing Misinterpretation of WHO Guidelines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-urges-leapfrog-to-revise-hand-hygiene-standards-citing-misinterpretation-of-who-guidelines/) - The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has issued a formal request to The Leapfrog Group urging a revision of its hand hygiene observation requirements, citing a critical misinterpretation of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s guidance. In a letter sent to Leah Binder, president and CEO of Leapfrog, APIC CEO Devin Jopp
- [What Traits Matter When Predicting Disease Emergence in New Populations?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-traits-matter-when-predicting-disease-emergence-in-new-populations/) - When a disease-causing virus or other organism is transmitted from one species to another, most of the time the infection sputters and dies out. On rare occasions, the infection can perpetuate transmission in the new host species and cause a pandemic. For example, scientists are keeping a close eye on H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza,
- [Visit to a Healthcare Facility, Not Antibiotic Use, is Strongest Predictor of Colonization by Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/visit-to-a-healthcare-facility-not-antibiotic-use-is-strongest-predictor-of-colonization-by-resistant-bacteria/) - A recent visit to a health clinic or hospital - not antibiotic use - is the strongest predictor of carrying bacteria resistant to critical antibiotics, according to a new study led by Washington State University. Previous research in Guatemala's Western Highlands found nearly 46% of residents were colonized in the gastrointestinal tract with bacteria known
- [Addressing the Bird Flu Outbreak Requires a One Health Perspective, Experts Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/addressing-the-bird-flu-outbreak-requires-a-one-health-perspective-experts-say/) - Since its emergence in U.S. dairy cattle, highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu, H5N1) has defied control, spreading to other species and disrupting every stage of the dairy sector. A newly published invited review in the Journal of Dairy Science presents the most comprehensive look yet at the virus's impact and calls for a unified
- [Researchers Use Generative AI to Design Compounds to Kill Drug-resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-use-generative-ai-to-design-compounds-to-kill-drug-resistant-bacteria/) - With help from artificial intelligence, MIT researchers have designed novel antibiotics that can combat two hard-to-treat infections: drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Using generative AI algorithms, the research team designed more than 36 million possible compounds and computationally screened them for antimicrobial properties. The top candidates they discovered are structurally distinct from
- [Broad COVID-19 Vaccination Makes Economic Sense, Especially for Older Adults, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/broad-covid-19-vaccination-makes-economic-sense-especially-for-older-adults-study-finds/) - In fact, the country would ultimately save more money that it would spend on vaccinating every person over age 65 with a single dose of an updated mRNA vaccine against coronavirus, the study concludes. That’s because of the power of the vaccine to prevent deaths, hospitalizations, short- and long-term illness and lost productivity such as
- [Researchers Develop Alternative to Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-develop-alternative-to-alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers/) - University of Georgia researchers have developed anew type of hand sanitizer that eliminates more than 97% of bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The new gel provides an alternative to traditional, drying alcohol-based sanitizers. The gel formula, called NORel, significantly outperformed an alcohol-based sanitizer by maintaining effective antimicrobial activity as long as two hours after
- [Botulism Outbreak Highlights Need for Improved Safety but a Solution May Already Exist](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/botulism-outbreak-highlights-need-for-improved-safety-but-a-solution-may-already-exist/) - Recent news from Italy has put the spotlight on the continuing risk of botulism outbreaks caused by contaminated food supplies. An innovation by scientists who created low-cost ink-based sensors that can be printed directly on packaging materials could provide a significant advance in preventing such outbreaks. Safety measures in preparation and packaging exist to reduce
- [NIH Grant Funds Effort to Target the Root of HIV Persistence](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-grant-funds-effort-to-target-the-root-of-hiv-persistence/) - A multi-institutional team led by Weill Cornell Medicine has received a five-year, $14.9 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to find ways to remove latent HIV from the cells of individuals with HIV. The team aims to use a personalized medicine approach to
- [Antimicrobial Stewardship, IPC Measures Curbed Incidence of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antimicrobial-stewardship-ipc-measures-curbed-incidence-of-kpc-producing-klebsiella-pneumoniae-infections/) - Infections caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-KP) represent a persistent public health challenge, say Recio-Rufián, et al. (2025) whose prospective study examines 10-year trends, clinical features, and genomic epidemiology of hospital-onset (HOI) and non-hospital-onset (non-HOI, including healthcare-associated [HcAI] and community-acquired [CA]) KPC-KP infections following a 2012 outbreak. The researchers evaluated the impacts of a 2014
- [The Secret Lives of Bacteria: How They Evade Viral Attack](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-secret-lives-of-bacteria-how-they-evade-viral-attack/) - Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified more than 200 strategies used by bacteria to avoid viral infection. Their findings, published in Cell Host & Microbe, shed light on a microbial "arms race" that could lead to new approaches to fight infectious bacteria. "There's a wealth of phage defense strategies in nature that we
- [Lack of a Standard Definition for Long-COVID Leads to Widely Varying Estimates, Complicating Care and Research](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lack-of-a-standard-definition-for-long-covid-leads-to-widely-varying-estimates-complicating-care-and-research/) - What is Long-COVID? Despite hundreds of published studies and millions affected worldwide, the medical field still lacks a clear answer. New research from UCLA finds that the definition of Long-COVID varies so widely across published studies that the percentage of people identified as having the condition can differ dramatically, making it harder to treat patients
- [Copper Antimicrobials Can Drive Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria, but There’s a Solution, Scientists Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/copper-antimicrobials-can-drive-antibiotic-resistance-in-bacteria-but-theres-a-solution-scientists-say/) - Heavy use of antibiotics has led to bacterial strains that resist them, making some infections difficult to treat. Copper antimicrobials are increasingly used to reduce the emergence of resistant strains. New research shows that heavy use of copper leads to the evolution of copper-resistant E. coli bacteria that can also resist antibiotic drugs. Fortunately, when
- [Multidrug-resistant Bacteria Spread From War-zone Hospitals to Other Countries](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multidrug-resistant-bacteria-spread-from-war-zone-hospitals-to-other-countries/) - After Russia's full-scale invasion, thousands of patients have been transferred from Ukraine to other European countries. A study by the University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital showed that 8% of Ukrainian refugees had been hospitalized due to war injuries. Almost 80% of them carried multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The study found that non-hospitalized refugees
- [Malaria Vaccine Mimics Natural Immunity With High Precision](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/malaria-vaccine-mimics-natural-immunity-with-high-precision/) - The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine generates nearly identical antibodies as those following a natural infection, helping explain why the vaccine confers such strong protection against the earliest life stage of malaria parasites, according to research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. "This is exactly what you want to see - that a vaccine elicits the
- [AI Uncovers New Antibiotics in Ancient Microbes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-uncovers-new-antibiotics-in-ancient-microbes/) - They've survived for billions of years in boiling acid, deep-sea vents and salt flats. Now, some of Earth's oldest life forms - microbes called Archaea - are offering a new weapon in the fight against one of today's most urgent health threats: antibiotic resistance. In a new study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers at the
- [Scoping Review Finds Gaps in Evidence of Human Outcomes and Harms for Engineering Infection Control Interventions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scoping-review-finds-gaps-in-evidence-of-human-outcomes-and-harms-for-engineering-infection-control-interventions/) - A scoping review identified and described primary studies evaluating the effects of physical changes to workplaces or equipment designed to prevent or control infection, also known as engineering infection control interventions. The review found substantial heterogeneity in available evidence and identified gaps in evidence including measurement of harms or efficacy outcomes relevant to human-to-human infection
- [AI Chatbots Can Run With Medical Misinformation, Highlighting the Need for Stronger Safeguards](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-chatbots-can-run-with-medical-misinformation-highlighting-the-need-for-stronger-safeguards/) - A new study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai finds that widely used AI chatbots are highly vulnerable to repeating and elaborating on false medical information, revealing a critical need for stronger safeguards before these tools can be trusted in healthcare. The researchers also demonstrated that a simple built-in warning
- [Study Increases Understanding of How Airborne-communicable Diseases Travel](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-increases-understanding-of-how-airborne-communicable-diseases-travel/) - We all remember the advice frequently repeated during the COVID pandemic: maintain six feet of distance from every other human when waiting in a line to avoid transmitting the virus. The advice did not take into account the complicated fluid dynamics governing how the airborne particles actually travel through the air if people are also
- [Environmental Antibiotic Resistance Unevenly Addressed Despite Growing Global Risk, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/environmental-antibiotic-resistance-unevenly-addressed-despite-growing-global-risk-study-finds/) - Antibiotic resistance in the environment is a growing and largely overlooked crisis receiving inconsistent attention, that may very well have dire consequences for human health, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey. The comprehensive review, published in Environment International, researched 13,000 studies from 1990 to 2021 to identify patterns and gaps
- [Novel Immunologic Surveillance Study Provides New Insights Into Post-pandemic Return of Respiratory Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/novel-immunologic-surveillance-study-provides-new-insights-into-post-pandemic-return-of-respiratory-viruses/) - The first paper from a multi-year clinical research study has been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Dynamics of Endemic Virus Re-emergence in Children in the U.S. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic (2022-2023): A Longitudinal Immunoepidemiologic Surveillance Study and demonstrates how the approach can improve modeling to better predict future outbreaks. The paper shares findings from
- [Scientists Explore the Importance of Sex-based Differences in the Immune System](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-explore-the-importance-of-sex-based-differences-in-the-immune-system/) - Many diseases affect men and women differently. Asthma tends to strike men earlier in life, yet more women develop asthma as they get older. Parkinson's is more common in men, but Alzheimer's is more common in women. The differences are even more stark when it comes to autoimmune disease. Women are around two and a
- [Economic Evaluation of Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 Testing in Long-term Care Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/economic-evaluation-of-wastewater-surveillance-for-covid-19-testing-in-long-term-care-settings/) - The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous pressure on healthcare systems and economies around the world, with particularly severe impacts on vulnerable groups like residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). One key lesson from the pandemic is that early detection and treatment can lower hospitalization and death rates while also cutting medical costs. Wastewater surveillance at
- [How Candida albicans Colonizes the Gut](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-candida-albicans-colonizes-the-gut/) - About 80% of people have the fungus Candida albicans in their gut. Although most of the time it persists unnoticed for years causing no health problems, C. albicans can turn into a dangerous microbe that causes serious diseases in many organs, including the urinary tract, lungs and brain. Understanding how this fungus colonizes the gut
- [Rare, Serious Flu Complication in Kids Needs Rapid Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rare-serious-flu-complication-in-kids-needs-rapid-treatment/) - Children may be more likely to survive a rare, potentially fatal influenza complication if they receive rapid treatment for brain swelling and extreme immune responses, a Stanford Medicine-led report found. The researchers hope to raise awareness about the condition, called influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy, to inform parents and physicians about its prevention and treatment. Flu
- [Researchers Make the Case to Expand Treatment for Hepatitis B](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-make-the-case-to-expand-treatment-for-hepatitis-b/) - In a pair of articles published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, scientists lay out the case for why we should expand treatment recommendations for people with hepatitis B. Commissioned by the International Coalition to Eliminate HBV, researchers examine the pros and cons of expanding treatment for the 256 million people chronically infected with the hepatitis
- [Protecting Immune Cells From Exhaustion](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/protecting-immune-cells-from-exhaustion/) - In fighting chronic infections or certain cancers, CD8+ T cells-the immune system's frontline soldiers-eventually become exhausted. They lose effectiveness and respond less efficiently to threats. This weakening is a major therapeutic challenge, as it limits the body's ability to fight chronic infections. However, the team of professor Simona Stäger at Institut national de la recherche
- [Potential Trade-Offs of Proposed Cuts to the NIH](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/potential-trade-offs-of-proposed-cuts-to-the-nih/) - Proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts under the current U.S. presidential administration have raised concerns about their implications, say Jalali, et al. (2025). As a key sponsor of foundational research and workforce training, the authors add, the NIH plays a vital role in biomedical innovation. They emphasize that understanding the potential impacts of
- [Researchers Estimate Number of Lives and Life-years Saved by COVID-19 Vaccination 2020-2024 Globally](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-estimate-number-of-lives-and-life-years-saved-by-covid-19-vaccination-2020-2024-globally/) - Estimating global lives and life-years saved is important to put into perspective the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, say Ioannidis, et al. (2025) who add that prior studies have focused mainly on the pre-Omicron period or only on specific regions, and lack crucial life-year calculations and often depend on strong modeling assumptions with unaccounted uncertainty. The
- [Predicting Vaccination Levels Without Accurate or Timely Immunization Data](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/predicting-vaccination-levels-without-accurate-or-timely-immunization-data/) - Knowing how many people are vaccinated against an existing or re-emerging threat is a key factor guiding public health decisions, but such information is often sparse or non-existent in many regions, according to researchers at Penn State. Now, in collaboration with a team at the World Health Organization, the researchers have developed a new method
- [Bird-to-Human Jump by Trichomonas Parasites Revealed in New Study](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bird-to-human-jump-by-trichomonas-parasites-revealed-in-new-study/) - A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals how genetic changes in the parasite responsible for one of the world's most common sexually transmitted infections may have helped it adapt to human hosts. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is thought to be the result of adaptation to human
- [Most Hospital Visits of Impaired, Terminal Nursing Home Residents are Avoidable](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/most-hospital-visits-of-impaired-terminal-nursing-home-residents-are-avoidable/) - Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits can be distressing and costly for nursing home residents - especially those who are severely impaired or terminally ill. Despite their vulnerability, these individuals are frequently transferred to hospitals, even though up to 40% of such transfers over the past 25 years are considered potentially avoidable by healthcare professionals.
- [Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of COVID-19 Hospitalization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-increases-risk-of-covid-19-hospitalization/) - There is a clear link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of being hospitalized by COVID-19. As the latest wave of COVID-19 shows no signs of abating, University of South Australia experts say it's not just booster shots that could offer protection - healthy levels of vitamin D may also play a
- [Data-driven Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Months in Advance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/data-driven-detection-of-sars-cov-2-variants-months-in-advance/) - Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several variants of the virus have developed into Variants of Concern (VOCs), as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). VOCs are virus variants that are predicted or known to cause large waves of infections due to their altered phenotypic characteristics and with risk of altering disease severity,
- [The July-August 2025 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-july-august-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - This year's annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) featured a wide variety of sessions, including the perennial updates for practice. In this issue we kick off a series of articles delving into key issues coming out of the national APIC meeting. To access the issue, CLICK HERE
- [In Hard-To-Treat Form of TB, Shorter, Gentler Therapy Shows Unequal Benefit](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/in-hard-to-treat-form-of-tb-shorter-gentler-therapy-shows-unequal-benefit/) - Some patients with highly drug-resistant tuberculosis could benefit from a shorter treatment with fewer drugs while others may warrant more aggressive therapy, according to the findings of a new study led by an international group of researchers including scientists from Harvard Medical School and conducted across six countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. The
- [Removing Incorrect Penicillin Allergy Labels on Medical Records Could Combat AMR, Save Lives](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/removing-incorrect-penicillin-allergy-labels-on-medical-records-could-combat-amr-save-lives/) - Penicillins are first-choice antibiotics for many common infections, but more than one in 15 UK adults have a penicillin allergy label on their medical records. In the event of an infection, they will be prescribed alternative antibiotics which can be less effective or have more side effects. This can result in several prescriptions being issued
- [Estimated Burden of Influenza and Direct and Indirect Benefits of Influenza Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/estimated-burden-of-influenza-and-direct-and-indirect-benefits-of-influenza-vaccination/) - Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent infectious diseases, say Krauland, et al. (2025), who add that it not only reduces disease in the vaccinated portion of a population but also potentially provides indirect benefit to the unvaccinated portion. Indirect benefits to the unvaccinated portion in a population are difficult to estimate
- [Preventing Outbreaks in Hospital Burn Units](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/preventing-outbreaks-in-hospital-burn-units/) - Lindblad, et al. (2025) sought to analyze observations of staff's hand hygiene, usage of gloves and plastic aprons, and dress code compliance at the Burn Center at Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden, and to evaluate the association between hygiene non-compliance and outbreak periods. Furthermore, to explore the potential of using routine hygiene observations as an
- [Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Site Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-surgical-site-infections/) - Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most significant concerns in healthcare settings, presenting challenges in patient management and healthcare outcomes. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the landscape of infectious disease epidemiology, impacting the distribution and resistance characteristics of pathogens responsible for SSIs. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving infection
- [Can CHG Baths Reduce Fungal Colonization in ICU Patients?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/can-chg-baths-reduce-fungal-colonization-in-icu-patients/) - Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing is widely used in intensive care units (ICUs) to reduce bacterial colonization, yet its efficacy against fungal skin colonization, particularly Candida spp., is not well understood. This study by Nascimento, et al. (2025) aimed to evaluate the impact of daily CHG bathing on Candida colonization among ICU patients. From 2020 to
- [Exploration of Microbial Communities in Hospital Bathrooms Reveals Antibiotic Exposure Selects for Enterococcus Over Commensal Taxa](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/exploration-of-microbial-communities-in-hospital-bathrooms-reveals-antibiotic-exposure-selects-for-enterococcus-over-commensal-taxa/) - Excessive antibiotic utilization in hospital settings catalyzes the emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, with sanitary facilities serving as critical vectors for their propagation. This study by Neidhöfer, et al. (2025) investigated the impact of patient antibiotic exposure on microbial diversity in hospital sanitary facilities, as well as the emergence of uniform communities and
- [Assessment of the Risk of Aerosol Transmission of CRKP During Bronchoscopy in the ICU](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/assessment-of-the-risk-of-aerosol-transmission-of-crkp-during-bronchoscopy-in-the-icu/) - The potential for aerosol generation during bronchoscopy to facilitate the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria remains incompletely understood. This study by Yang, et al. (2025) aimed to assess the risk of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) transmission via aerosols during bronchoscopy in an intensive care unit (ICU). The researchers collected eight samples from the ICU of a
- [Study Finds Evidence of Hepatitis C Virus in Cells Lining Human Brain](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-evidence-of-hepatitis-c-virus-in-cells-lining-human-brain/) - Observational studies of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression have long tied viral infections with behavioral symptoms in these disorders, but scientists have been unable to find direct evidence of suspected viruses in the brain. Experts say that's possibly because viruses may not get directly inside the brain, but may target
- [ECDC Issues Recommendations to Address Transmission of Diphtheria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ecdc-issues-recommendations-to-address-transmission-of-diphtheria/) - Despite a steady decline in reported cases following a large outbreak in 2022, diphtheria is still being reported in Europe, with the number of cases higher than before 2020. An ECDC Rapid Risk Assessment issued July 8 highlights how ongoing circulation of diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae) may affect some populations who are
- [Amid Multi-state Measles Outbreak, 79% of Surveyed Americans Support Routine Childhood Vaccine Requirements](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/amid-multi-state-measles-outbreak-79-of-surveyed-americans-support-routine-childhood-vaccine-requirements/) - In the midst of a multi-state measles outbreak, a new poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation finds that most U.S. adults (79%) say parents should be required to have children vaccinated against preventable diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella to attend school. This includes a majority of
- [Pandemic Significantly Eroded Public’s Trust in U.S. Institutions Like the CDC, Assessment Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pandemic-significantly-eroded-publics-trust-in-u-s-institutions-like-the-cdc-assessment-shows/) - Four cross-sectional surveys of US adults from 2020-2024 reveal U.S. adults reporting high confidence in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped from 82 percent in February 2020 to a low of 56 percent in June 2022, according to a study published June 26, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS Global Public Health
- [Triclosan Linked to Allergic Conditions in Children](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/triclosan-linked-to-allergic-conditions-in-children/) - Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical that was for decades added to everyday items like soap, toothpaste, cosmetics and even kitchen utensils and athletic wear, until concerns about potential health risks led manufacturers to phase it out of some products. New research suggests there may be even more reason for concern. A study led by scientists
- [Using Viral Load Tests to Help Predict Mpox Severity When Skin Lesions First Appear](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/using-viral-load-tests-to-help-predict-mpox-severity-when-skin-lesions-first-appear/) - In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared a second Public Health Emergency of International Concern for mpox. The current outbreak in Africa is driven mainly by the clade I variant, with multiple countries reporting their first-ever mpox cases of this more severe strain. Nagoya University researchers and their collaborators have found that measuring the
- [Vaccination Support Program Reduces Pneumonia-related Mortality by 25 Percent Among the Elderly](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaccination-support-program-reduces-pneumonia-related-mortality-by-25-percent-among-the-elderly/) - A research team has evaluated the real-world impact of a community-based pneumococcal vaccination support program for older adults conducted in Sera Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Their work was published in the Journal of Epidemiology on May 5, 2025. Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in Japan. Each year about 74,000 people die
- [Childhood Vaccination Coverage Has Stalled in Recent Decades](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/childhood-vaccination-coverage-has-stalled-in-recent-decades/) - Globally, between 1980 and 2023, vaccine coverage doubled against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), measles, polio, and tuberculosis. Additionally, there was a 75% global decline in the number of children who had never received a routine childhood vaccine (also known as zero-dose children), falling from 58.8 million in 1980 to 14.7 million
- [Electrochemical Catheter Hub Could Prevent Bloodstream Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/electrochemical-catheter-hub-could-prevent-bloodstream-infections/) - Washington State University and Mayo Clinic researchers have developed an electrochemical catheter hub that could someday help prevent deadly central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) that annually kill thousands of people around the world. Reporting in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering, the researchers showed that their e-catheter hub showed "significant antimicrobial activity," killing off a common
- [Scientists Advance Prospects of Permanently Putting HIV Into Dormant State Using Gene Therapy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-advance-prospects-of-permanently-putting-hiv-into-dormant-state-using-gene-therapy/) - In a study of human immune cells infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say a molecule within HIV itself can be manipulated and amplified to force the virus into long-term dormancy, a state in which HIV does not replicate. The Johns Hopkins team that conducted the new study
- [TRSA, Environ Energy Release New Whitepaper on the Value of Reusable PPE in Healthcare](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/trsa-environ-energy-release-new-whitepaper-on-the-value-of-reusable-ppe-in-healthcare/) - TRSA, an advocacy association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry, and Environ Energy, a national leader in sustainable energy solutions, released a new whitepaper documenting the significant value of using hygienically clean reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare. The whitepaper, "Advancing the Adoption of Reusable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Healthcare," catalogues
- [Infection Rates Plummeted When Virginia Hospital Hired More IPs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-rates-plummeted-when-virginia-hospital-hired-more-ips/) - Virginia's Carilion Clinic health system had a lot of foresight as it set out in 2020 to increase the size of its infection prevention and control (IPC) team. The strategy paid off as, over a three-year period, various infection rates dropped precipitously as more full-time infection preventionist (IP) staff joined the health system. The not-for-profit
- [New Vaccine Works Against Multiple Fungal Infections in Mouse Model](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-vaccine-works-against-multiple-fungal-infections-in-mouse-model/) - A vaccine developed by University of Georgia researchers successfully protects against and treats vaginal yeast infections in mice, according to a newly published study. This is the newest application of the vaccine, which was previously shown to protect against the three most common fungal pathogens in four preclinical animal models, including nonhuman primates. These three
- [Study Compares Indoor Transmission-Risk Metrics for Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-compares-indoor-transmission-risk-metrics-for-infectious-diseases-2/) - A recent study published in the journal Engineering delves into the complex world of assessing the transmission risk of infectious diseases in indoor spaces. With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding how to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) has become crucial. Governments worldwide implemented NPIs to control the spread of
- [Supercharged Vaccine Could Offer Strong Protection With Just One Dose](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/supercharged-vaccine-could-offer-strong-protection-with-just-one-dose/) - Researchers at MIT and the Scripps Research Institute have shown that they can generate a strong immune response to HIV with just one vaccine dose, by adding two powerful adjuvants — materials that help stimulate the immune system. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that this approach produced a much wider diversity of
- [HSV-1 Reshapes the Human Genome for its Own Benefit](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hsv-1-reshapes-the-human-genome-for-its-own-benefit/) - Viruses are entirely dependent on their hosts to reproduce. They ransack living cells for parts and energy and hijack the host’s cellular machinery to make new copies of themselves. Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), it turns out, also redecorates, according to a new study in Nature Communications. Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in
- [Infectious Diseases Experts Raise Alarm About Antifungal Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infectious-diseases-experts-raise-alarm-about-antifungal-resistance/) - UC Davis infectious diseases experts George Thompson and Angel Desai are raising the alarm about the role new pesticides can play in building resistance to antifungal medical treatments. In a commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine, they call for a coordinated, global "One Health" approach to developing, testing and using agents to fight
- [Broad-spectrum Coronavirus Drug Developed Through AI-enabled Dynamic Modeling](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/broad-spectrum-coronavirus-drug-developed-through-ai-enabled-dynamic-modeling/) - About 30% of all respiratory tract infections are caused by coronaviruses, leading to widespread illnesses and, in some cases, to epidemic and even pandemic outbreaks, as we experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the development of groundbreaking technology that enables the design of prophylactic vaccines, access to those vaccines is not equal across the globe,
- [Researchers Discover Protein Necessary for SARS-CoV-2 to Evade the Body’s Defenses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-discover-protein-necessary-for-sars-cov-2-to-evade-the-bodys-defenses/) - The human body is naturally equipped with defenses to fight off viral infections. For a virus to successfully infect it, it must first overcome these defenses. To do so, viruses have evolved specialized tools - proteins known as "virulence factors" - that help them shut down or dodge the immune system and cause disease. Severe
- [Excessive Use of Decolonization in ICU Patients May Increase the Risk of Antibiotic-resistant Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/excessive-use-of-decolonization-in-icu-patients-may-increase-the-risk-of-antibiotic-resistant-infections/) - An international study has revealed a strong and direct link between the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and universal decolonization procedures applied to patients in intensive care units. Published in The Lancet Microbe, the study calls for a reassessment of healthcare guidelines on the widespread use of disinfectants. "Our research highlights the unintended consequences of universal
- [Research Reveals a Deadly Fungal Pathogen’s Vulnerabilities](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-reveals-a-deadly-fungal-pathogens-vulnerabilities/) - Fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, are responsible for nearly four million deaths annually-however, current treatments are limited and are frequently ineffective. Now, scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and the University of Georgia discover how the lethal pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, thrives, allowing them to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.
- [Repurposed FDA-approved Drug Shows Promise in Killing Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/repurposed-fda-approved-drug-shows-promise-in-killing-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/) - A new study from Emory University addresses the growing global crisis of antibiotic-resistant infections. Many of these drug-resistant bacteria are spread through hospitals, and there are few antibiotics available for treatment. The study, published in PNAS, looks at a particular bacterium called Acinetobacter baumannii, which is highly infectious, spread mostly in hospitals and typically infects
- [How Bacteria Build Up Their Environments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-bacteria-build-up-their-environments/) - Biofilms are conglomerates of bacteria and other organisms, which are feared in medicine as well as other areas because they can contain pathogens and are highly resistant to treatment. Chemists at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) have, in collaboration with colleagues from Munich and Groningen, examined how the polysaccharide "Pel" - a central component of
- [Green Light Activates This Antibiotic Only Where It’s Needed](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/green-light-activates-this-antibiotic-only-where-its-needed/) - To treat bacterial infections, medical professionals prescribe antibiotics. But not all active medicine gets used up by the body. Some of it ends up in wastewater, where antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can develop. Now, to make a more efficient antibiotic treatment, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science modified penicillin, so that it's activated only by green light.
- [New Virtual Reality Training Tool Combats Contamination of Portable Medical Equipment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-virtual-reality-training-tool-combats-contamination-of-portable-medical-equipment/) - Infection control researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a virtual reality (VR) tool to train clinicians on core concepts in infection control, including cleaning and disinfecting portable medical equipment, to prevent the spread of infections throughout healthcare facilities. They successfully piloted the VR training tool at seven facilities across the United States, and their
- [Midwest Leads in Patient Satisfaction Across U.S. Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/midwest-leads-in-patient-satisfaction-across-u-s-hospitals/) - A new study analyzing more than 3,200 hospitals across the United States (U.S.) has revealed stark differences in how patients rate their hospital experiences depending on where they receive care. The research was published June 11, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One and led by Man Hung of the University of Utah, U.S., and
- [CDC Urges Healthcare Providers to Use Only Sterile Ultrasound Gel for Percutaneous Procedures](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-urges-healthcare-providers-to-use-only-sterile-ultrasound-gel-for-percutaneous-procedures/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of Paraburkholderia fungorum (an environmental bacterium) associated with the use of ultrasound gel from multiple states from 2024 to 2025. The agency says use of non-sterile ultrasound gel for percutaneous procedures (procedures that involve puncturing the skin) risks patient safety. Product testing identified an
- [People with COVID-Like Symptoms Took Up to Nine Months Post-Infection to Regain Mental Wellbeing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/people-with-covid-like-symptoms-took-up-to-nine-months-post-infection-to-regain-mental-wellbeing/) - New research finds that people with COVID-like symptoms returned to optimal physical well-being an average of three months after infection, but took up to nine months to return to top mental well-being. Even one year after infection about 20% of study participants continued to experience overall suboptimal health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study, to
- [Discovery Suggests Method to Offset Antibiotic-caused Harm to Infant Immune Systems](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/discovery-suggests-method-to-offset-antibiotic-caused-harm-to-infant-immune-systems/) - In 2017, scientists at Cincinnati Children's revealed that using antibiotics to protect newborns from dangerous infections often comes with a long-term consequence-a permanently underdeveloped immune system that can make children prone to poor outcomes from future lung infections. Now a study published June 9, 2025, in Cell, details the mechanisms behind antibiotic-related immune disruptions, which
- [Researchers Examine Healthcare Workforce Recovery After the End of the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-healthcare-workforce-recovery-after-the-end-of-the-pandemic/) - The COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in healthcare utilization, delivery, and clinical organization finance, say Nguyen, et al. (2025) who add that initial research showed that healthcare employment did not fully recover by 2022's end, with trends varying by setting. Employment in physician offices reached full recovery, while long-term care facility staffing was 10.5% below
- [New AI Tool Reimagines Infectious Disease Forecasting](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-ai-tool-reimagines-infectious-disease-forecasting/) - A new AI tool to predict the spread of infectious disease outperforms existing state-of-the-art forecasting methods. The tool, created with federal support by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke universities, could revolutionize how public health officials predict, track and manage outbreaks of infectious diseases including flu and COVID-19. "COVID-19 elucidated the challenge of predicting disease
- [Improving T Cell Responses to Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/improving-t-cell-responses-to-vaccines/) - In the quest to design vaccines that better help the body's immune system fight disease, scientists are always looking for more tools for their arsenal. The strong antibody responses generated by vaccines provide an important first round of defense, but "you always want to have a backup plan," says biomedical graduate studies PhD student Emily
- [Will This Year's Flu Shot Protect You? The Answer is Hidden in Your Blood](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/will-this-years-flu-shot-protect-you-the-answer-is-hidden-in-your-blood/) - Flu shots save lives across the United States every year. These vaccines are good at protecting the population from severe influenza infections, but not every person gets the same level of protection. "Some people have incredibly strong responses to annual flu vaccines, and some people don't respond at all," says Tal Einav, PhD, the Bodman
- [Researchers Show How Evolution of a Single Gene Allowed the Plague to Adapt, Survive and Kill](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-show-how-evolution-of-a-single-gene-allowed-the-plague-to-adapt-survive-and-kill/) - Scientists have documented the way a single gene in the bacterium that causes bubonic plague, Yersinia pestis, allowed it to survive hundreds of years by adjusting its virulence and the length of time it took to kill its victims, but these forms of plague ultimately died out. A study by researchers at McMaster University and
- [New Diagnostic Tool Uses Bioluminescence to Detect Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-diagnostic-tool-uses-bioluminescence-to-detect-viruses/) - Mass General Brigham researchers are shining a powerful new light into the viral darkness with the development of Luminescence CAscade-based Sensor (LUCAS), a rapid, portable, highly-sensitive diagnostic tool for processing complex biological samples. Compared to its diagnostic predecessors, LUCAS creates 500-fold stronger and eight-fold longer-lasting bioluminescence signals, overcoming longstanding challenges faced by point-of-care diagnostics. Their
- [New Data Show MMR Vaccination Rate Declined Across U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-data-show-mmr-vaccination-rate-declined-across-u-s/) - A new county-level dataset from Johns Hopkins University researchers reveals a national decline in the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among U.S. children since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 2,066 studied counties, 1,614 counties, 78%, reported drops in vaccinations and the average county-level vaccination rate fell 93.92% pre-pandemic to 91.26% post-pandemic-an average decline
- [Study Finds Original COVID-19 Vaccination Did Not Stop Immune System From Fighting Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-original-covid-19-vaccination-did-not-stop-immune-system-from-fighting-variants/) - Prior COVID-19 vaccination did not stop the immune system from mounting a protective response to the Delta and Omicron strains, though new mutation-specific antibody production dipped slightly, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences and published in Nature Immunology. The paper, "Intrinsic immunogenicity is a major determinant of
- [RSV Infections in Children Requiring Primary Care Lead to Significant Economic Impact](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rsv-infections-in-children-requiring-primary-care-lead-to-significant-economic-impact/) - Infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children requiring primary care led to significant societal economic costs from outpatient treatment and parental work absences in Europe, according to a study just published in Eurosurveillance. The study sought to provide insights for public health policy and support costs and benefits analyses for RSV immunization strategies. RSV
- [Study Shows SARS-CoV-2 Corrupts Some White Blood Cells to Suppress Immune System](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-sars-cov-2-corrupts-some-white-blood-cells-to-suppress-immune-system/) - A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study by researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering finds that neutrophils - the most abundant type of white blood cells in humans - may be altered by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,
- [You and Your Pet Can Share Resistance to Certain Medications](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/you-and-your-pet-can-share-resistance-to-certain-medications/) - People are in such close contact with their dogs, cats, and other pets that research shows they often share flora, or tiny bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the skin, gut, and even the environment of the home. If you or your pet take an antibiotic or another antimicrobial medication, it can potentially change the
- [To Determine Who's Sick, Humans Rely on Senses at a Distance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/to-determine-whos-sick-humans-rely-on-senses-at-a-distance/) - If you're sharing close quarters with someone during flu season, how would you know they are sick, even in cases where they may not know themselves? A new global study led by a University of Michigan researcher found that people worldwide-when choosing among their five senses-agree that sight and hearing are the most useful senses,
- [Babies Free Themselves of HPV Naturally](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/babies-free-themselves-of-hpv-naturally/) - Nearly all newborns who contract human papillomavirus in the perinatal stage will eliminate the virus in the first six months of life, with very little persistence or recurrence, according to a new Canadian study published today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. Led by Helen Trottier, an epidemiologist at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du
- [Advanced Genomics Study Improves Detection of Hard-to-Find Diarrheal Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/advanced-genomics-study-improves-detection-of-hard-to-find-diarrheal-infections/) - A University of Liverpool study has used advanced genetic and genomic techniques to offer a major step forward in understanding and diagnosing infectious intestinal diseases. The large-scale study analyzed more than 1,000 stool samples from people with diarrheal illness to harness two cutting-edge tools. Diarrhea, a common symptom of infectious intestinal disease, affects an estimated
- [Researchers Explore COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes and Motivations, Finding Common Values](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-covid-19-vaccine-attitudes-and-motivations-finding-common-values/) - Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a decline in U.S. vaccine uptake, while widespread misinformation and distrust make it challenging to craft effective public health responses. In a new paper, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers discuss three case studies exemplifying different vaccine attitudes and behaviors. Their findings underscore the need for flexible approaches to
- [Scientists Invent Device to Detect Airborne Signs of Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-invent-device-to-detect-airborne-signs-of-disease/) - The best way to detect molecules has remained through liquids, such as blood. New research from the University of Chicago, however, could someday put a pause on pinpricks. A group of scientists announced they have created a small, portable device that can collect and detect airborne molecules-a breakthrough that holds promise for many areas of
- [Scientists Develop Mask Filter That Blocks Nanoparticles Without Restricting Airflow](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-mask-filter-that-blocks-nanoparticles-without-restricting-airflow/) - When the mesh size of mask fabrics is small enough to capture viruses, which are usually around 100 nanometers in size, the fabric typically also restricts airflow, resulting in user discomfort. But now, researchers from Japan have found a way to avoid this. In a study published this month in Materials Advances, researchers from the
- [Digitalized Measures Seem Effective for CLABSI Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/digitalized-measures-seem-effective-for-clabsi-prevention/) - Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) increase morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs of hospitalized patients, despite being largely preventable. While evidence-based guidelines for preventing CLABSI are well-established, the implementation of these measures remain suboptimal, say Obama, et al. (2025) who add that digitalization presents a promising approach to improve guideline adherence, streamline implementation processes, and ultimately
- [Study Argues Against Antibiotic Treatment in Patients Hospitalized for Non-severe COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-argues-against-antibiotic-treatment-in-patients-hospitalized-for-non-severe-covid-19/) - Patients hospitalized with non-severe COVID-19 continue to receive community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) antibiotic treatment despite a low risk of bacterial coinfection. Unnecessary antibiotic prescribing contributes to global antibiotic resistance and also poses a threat to individual patients, say Pulia, et al. (2025) who sought to examine the association of CAP antibiotic treatment started on admission with
- [Having a Team Therapist Reduces Burnout in Critical Care Nurses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/having-a-team-therapist-reduces-burnout-in-critical-care-nurses/) - Adding a team therapist to support nurses in critical care areas can reduce burnout and improve resiliency, according to research published at the ATS 2025 International Conference. The study highlights the value of embedding a professional therapist within the care team, rather than directing nurses to seek outside support. It's a novel approach to supporting
- [The May-June 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-may-june-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - The best guidelines and evidence-based recommendations are only as good as the degree to which they are implemented. That's the perennial struggle in infection prevention and control (IP&C), and infection preventionists are faced with a myriad of factors influencing healthcare personnel behavior - as well as their own in response. To access the issue, CLICK
- [Surveyed Americans Say Benefits of MMR Vaccine for Children Outweigh Risks by Nearly 5-1](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surveyed-americans-say-benefits-of-mmr-vaccine-for-children-outweigh-risks-by-nearly-5-1/) - The United States is in the midst of the second-highest year of measles cases since 2000, when the disease was declared eliminated in this country, meaning that cases within the United States originated outside the country. As of May 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2025, there have been
- [Global Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Toward Antimicrobial Resistance Among Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/global-knowledge-attitudes-and-practices-toward-antimicrobial-resistance-among-healthcare-workers/) - The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health challenge. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a pivotal role in combating AMR by implementing effective preventive strategies and adhering to good practices. This study by Jahromi, et al. (2025) aimed to evaluate the global knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HCWs toward AMR. A
- [Improper Glove Use Increases Infection Risk and Has Global Consequences](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/improper-glove-use-increases-infection-risk-and-has-global-consequences/) - The development of disposable gloves and the discovery that good hand hygiene are essential for protecting patients are among the most important developments in the history of infection prevention and control, and are both essential for protecting patients and healthcare workers.," say Peters, et al. (2025) Although there are international-level guidelines for glove use and
- [Public Health Experts Urge Good Hand Hygiene, Vaccination Amid LA Hepatitis A Outbreak](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/public-health-experts-urge-good-hand-hygiene-vaccination-amid-la-hepatitis-a-outbreak/) - As Los Angeles grapples with a communitywide outbreak of the highly infectious virus hepatitis A, most adults might not be doing the one, simple thing that can help keep them safe from the virus-washing their hands. "Many adults do not routinely wash their hands after visiting public places where they come in contact with a
- [Scientists Discover Promising Antibiotic Candidate](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-discover-promising-antibiotic-candidate/) - An international team of researchers, led by the University of Vienna and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, has discovered saarvienin A, a new type of glycopeptide antibiotic. Their findings, now published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, introduce a compound with strong activity against highly resistant bacterial strains. Antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise,
- [Research Shows Private Ownership Boosts Hospital Performance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-shows-private-ownership-boosts-hospital-performance/) - New research by ESMT Berlin and the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) shows that private equity (PE) acquisitions lead to substantial operational efficiency gains in hospitals, challenging common public concerns. The study reveals that hospitals acquired by PE firms significantly reduce costs and administrative staff without increasing closure rates or harming patient care. The
- [Experts Ask, is it Time to Redefine the Public Health Workforce?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-ask-is-it-time-to-redefine-the-public-health-workforce/) - As the U.S. continues to face complex public health challenges, a new paper published by a researcher at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health calls for a redefinition of the public health workforce-one that goes beyond traditional boundaries and acknowledges the growing number of professionals outside government agencies who contribute to public health. Published
- [Older Adults Getting Infected With HIV but Prevention Focuses on Young People](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/older-adults-getting-infected-with-hiv-but-prevention-focuses-on-young-people/) - Prevention and treatment campaigns are not adequately targeting the particular needs of the 50+ years age group, researchers say. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa doubled. At present, their HIV prevalence is exceeding that of younger adults. By 2040, one-quarter of people
- [Particles Carrying Multiple Vaccine Doses Could Reduce the Need for Follow-up Shots](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/particles-carrying-multiple-vaccine-doses-could-reduce-the-need-for-follow-up-shots/) - Around the world, 20 percent of children are not fully immunized, leading to 1.5 million child deaths each year from diseases that are preventable by vaccination. About half of those under-immunized children received at least one vaccine dose but did not complete the vaccination series, while the rest received no vaccines at all. To make
- [Engineering an Antibody Against Flu With Sticky Staying Power](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/engineering-an-antibody-against-flu-with-sticky-staying-power/) - Scientists have engineered a monoclonal antibody that can protect mice from a lethal dose of influenza A, a new study shows. The new molecule combines the specificity of a mature flu fighter with the broad binding capacity of a more general immune system defender. The protective effect was enhanced by delivering the antibody in a
- [Virologists Create Vaccine That Protects Against Swine, Human and Bird Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/virologists-create-vaccine-that-protects-against-swine-human-and-bird-flu/) - Annual flu shots could become a thing of the past under a new vaccine strategy developed and tested by University of Nebraska-Lincoln virologist Eric Weaver and his laboratory team. Research findings published April 29 in Nature Communications reveal a possible breakthrough. The study, "Epitope-Optimized Vaccine Elicits Cross-Species Immunity Against Influenza A Virus," describes a vaccine
- [Measles Virus Detected in Houston Wastewater Before Cases Were Reported](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/measles-virus-detected-in-houston-wastewater-before-cases-were-reported/) - An innovative outbreak detection program that tracks disease-causing viruses in wastewater identified the measles virus in Houston samples collected in early January 2025, before cases were reported. The team that developed the program, which includes researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the School of Public Health at University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston,
- [Societies Emphasize the Importance of Reinstating HICPAC](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/societies-emphasize-the-importance-of-reinstating-hicpac/) - The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS) have issued the following statement: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) is a critical
- [Researchers Restore Antibiotic Effect in the Event of Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-restore-antibiotic-effect-in-the-event-of-resistance/) - Bacterial resistance negates the effect of antibiotics in the treatment of infection. Using mouse models, researchers now show that if antibiotics are administered with an enzyme called endolysin, the combined effect protects against infection by resistant bacteria in all bodily organs - including the brain, which antibiotics alone have difficulty reaching. The results are reported
- [Research Collaboration Takes ‘One Health’ Approach to Study Chagas Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-collaboration-takes-one-health-approach-to-study-chagas-disease/) - A team of researchers at Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia (UGA) has received more than $4 million from federal and non-governmental organizations to support research on Chagas disease prevalence, diagnostics and treatment to benefit both dogs and humans. Chagas disease is a tropical illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is
- [Discovery Opens Up New Ways to Treat Chlamydia](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/discovery-opens-up-new-ways-to-treat-chlamydia/) - Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, and Michigan State University, USA, have discovered a type of molecule that can kill chlamydia bacteria but spare bacteria that are important for health. The discovery opens the door for further research towards developing new antibiotics against chlamydia, the world's most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease with 130 million cases
- [Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of a Smallpox Vaccine for Preventing Mpox](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/evaluating-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-a-smallpox-vaccine-for-preventing-mpox/) - In recent years, the world has seen a surge in new and deadly infectious diseases, posing a major threat to global health. Outbreaks of COVID-19, H1N1 (swine flu), Ebola, Zika, and monkeypox are a stark reminder of our vulnerability. While some of these viruses are new and relatively unknown, others, like the monkeypox virus (mpox
- [$2.7 Million NIH Grant to Fund First Comprehensive Syphilis Test](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/2-7-million-nih-grant-to-fund-first-comprehensive-syphilis-test/) - In the United States, syphilis cases rose by nearly 80% between 2018 and 2023, with 209,253 cases reported in the latest year of data. The infection, which can be transmitted sexually or passed from mother to infant during birth, is curable but only if diagnosed quickly. Left untreated, syphilis can progress from painless lesions to
- [Are Hospital Price Transparency Regulations Reducing Healthcare Costs for Consumers?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/are-hospital-price-transparency-regulations-reducing-healthcare-costs-for-consumers/) - It's hard enough to be sick or need surgery or hospitalization, but for the past few decades, the bill for healthcare services often has added insult to injury as consumers were blindsided with soaring and unexpected costs. Now, a study co-led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst health services researcher is examining the impact of
- [Urban Rats Spread Deadly Bacteria as They Migrate](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/urban-rats-spread-deadly-bacteria-as-they-migrate/) - Urban rats spread a deadly bacteria as they migrate within cities that can be the source of a potentially life-threatening disease in humans, according to a six-year study by Tufts University researchers and their collaborators that also discovered a novel technique for testing rat kidneys. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by a type of bacteria
- [Identifying Pathogens Within Minutes Instead of Days](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/identifying-pathogens-within-minutes-instead-of-days/) - Traditionally, bacterial diseases are diagnosed by the tedious isolation of pathogens and the creation of bacterial cultures. Waiting times of several days are the rule here. Only then can the targeted treatment of the disease begin. The team led by Nicole Strittmatter, professor of analytical chemistry at Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Dr. James
- [Multiorganizational Guidance Offers Updated Recommendations to Prevent Infections Through Effective Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection of Reusable Medical Devices](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multiorganizational-guidance-offers-updated-recommendations-to-prevent-infections-through-effective-sterilization-and-high-level-disinfection-of-reusable-medical-devices/) - The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), in collaboration with eight partner organizations, has released new comprehensive guidance to help healthcare facilities prevent the transmission of infections through improved practices in sterilization and high-level disinfection (HLD) of reusable medical devices. Reusable medical devices are essential tools in modern healthcare, yet their use is not
- [New AI Technique Can Uncover Antiviral Compounds Using Limited Data](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-ai-technique-can-uncover-antiviral-compounds-using-limited-data/) - Artificial intelligence algorithms have now been combined with traditional laboratory methods to uncover promising drug leads against human enterovirus 71 (EV71), the pathogen behind most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease. The study, published today in Cell Reports Physical Science by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, showed that
- [Menstrual Cycle Length Changes Following Vaccination Against Influenza Alone or With COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/menstrual-cycle-length-changes-following-vaccination-against-influenza-alone-or-with-covid-19/) - Multiple studies have identified an association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual disturbances. Data on whether menstrual health is impacted by other vaccines are needed to counsel individuals about what to expect and to address vaccine hesitancy, say Boniface, et al. (2025), who assessed the association of changes in length of the menstrual cycle with influenza
- [Study Reveals Emerging Cases of Human Babesiosis in Mid-Atlantic Region](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-emerging-cases-of-human-babesiosis-in-mid-atlantic-region/) - A newly published study in the Journal of Medical Entomology provides critical insights into the emergence of babesiosis in the Mid-Atlantic region, documenting human cases and the presence of Babesia microti in local tick populations. The article, titled "Emerging Babesiosis in the Mid-Atlantic: Autochthonous Human Babesiosis Cases and Babesia microti (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) in Ixodes scapularis
- [New Test Diagnoses Bacterial Meningitis Faster and Better](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-test-diagnoses-bacterial-meningitis-faster-and-better/) - Researchers at Amsterdam UMC have developed a new diagnostic test that can quickly and accurately diagnose bacterial meningitis. The test measures the CRP protein in cerebrospinal fluid, a protein that is already often tested in blood to detect bacterial infections. Research shows that elevated CRP in cerebrospinal fluid is a very reliable indicator of bacterial
- [Broader Antibiotic Use Could Change the Course of Cholera Outbreaks, Research Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/broader-antibiotic-use-could-change-the-course-of-cholera-outbreaks-research-suggests/) - Cholera kills thousands of people and infects hundreds of thousands every year-and cases have spiked in recent years, leaving governments with an urgent need to find the best ways to control outbreaks. Current public health guidelines discourage treating cholera with antibiotics in all but the most severe cases, to reduce the risk that the disease
- [Hospital-Based Outbreak Detection System Saves Lives, Cuts Costs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospital-based-outbreak-detection-system-saves-lives-cuts-costs/) - An infectious diseases detection platform developed by University of Pittsburgh scientists working with UPMC infection preventionists proved over a two-year trial that it stops outbreaks, saves lives and cuts costs. The results are published today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, making the case for adoption in hospitals nationwide and the development of a national
- [Birds Hold Remarkable Clues to Fighting Human and Animal Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/birds-hold-remarkable-clues-to-fighting-human-and-animal-infections/) - Australian and Dutch researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including pneumonia and COVID-19. The research, published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, investigates the molecular evolution of specific types of proteins (CL-10 and CL-11) in bird
- [Infectious Disease Surveillance Platform BEACON Launches as a New Open-Source Global Resource](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infectious-disease-surveillance-platform-beacon-launches-as-a-new-open-source-global-resource/) - The Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON) leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs) and a network of globally based experts to rapidly collect, analyze, and disseminate information on emerging infectious diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. BEACON director, Dr. Nahid Bhadelia remarks, "BEACON comes at a time when we need
- [Modeling Reemergence of Vaccine-Eliminated Infectious Diseases Under Declining Vaccination in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/modeling-reemergence-of-vaccine-eliminated-infectious-diseases-under-declining-vaccination-in-the-u-s/) - Widespread childhood vaccination has eliminated many infectious diseases in the U.S. However, vaccination rates are declining, and there are ongoing policy debates to reduce the childhood vaccine schedule, which may risk reemergence of previously eliminated infectious diseases. Kiang, et al. (2025) sought to estimate the number of cases and complications in the U.S. under scenarios
- [Children With Chronic Conditions at Risk for Severe RSV Outcomes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/children-with-chronic-conditions-at-risk-for-severe-rsv-outcomes/) - Young children with chronic conditions are more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than healthy children, according to a new study. The research will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 meeting, held April 24-28 in Honolulu. Toddlers with chronic conditions are hospitalized for RSV at twice the rate as healthy toddlers
- [Scientists Reveal the Secrets of How Microbes Feel Their Way Around](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-reveal-the-secrets-of-how-microbes-feel-their-way-around/) - Understanding how bacteria form communities on surfaces, including biofilms, has significant implications for both health and industry. Cells use tactile sensors to detect surfaces and convert the sense of touch into biochemical signals to colonize surfaces. Dr. Pushkar Lele, a professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has received
- [Nurse Understaffing Increases Chances of Higher Rates of Illness](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nurse-understaffing-increases-chances-of-higher-rates-of-illness/) - A study by the University of Southampton has found not having enough registered nurses on a ward leads to higher rates of illness among this nursing staff group. The research shows that the higher the proportion of registered nurses on a ward, compared to nursing support staff, the less incidents there are of registered nurse
- [Scientists Identify Potential Treatments for Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-identify-potential-treatments-for-emerging-zoonotic-pathogens/) - A team of San Antonio-based biomedical researchers trained a machine learning algorithm to identify more than two dozen viable treatments for diseases caused by zoonotic pathogens that can jump from animal hosts to infect humans. Scientists from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas
- [The Antibiotic That Takes the Bite Out of Lyme](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-antibiotic-that-takes-the-bite-out-of-lyme/) - Lyme disease, a disease transmitted when deer ticks feed on infected animals like deer and rodents, and then bite humans, impacts nearly half a million individuals in the U.S. annually. Even in acute cases, Lyme can be devastating; but early treatment with antibiotics can prevent chronic symptoms like heart and neurological problems and arthritis from
- [Frequent Antibiotic Use in Infants and Young Children May Increase Risk for Asthma, Allergies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/frequent-antibiotic-use-in-infants-and-young-children-may-increase-risk-for-asthma-allergies/) - Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to young children to combat conditions such as ear infections and pneumonia. But the drugs may disrupt the digestive microbiome at a significant time in a child's development. According to previous research, early and repeated digestive microbiome disruption from antibiotic exposure could contribute to diverse, potentially harmful or disruptive conditions as
- [Study Suggests Experimental Bird Flu Vaccine Offers Protection in Animal Models](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-experimental-bird-flu-vaccine-offers-protection-in-animal-models/) - A vaccine under development at the University at Buffalo has demonstrated complete protection in mice against a deadly variant of the virus that causes bird flu. The work, detailed in a study published April 17 in the journal Cell Biomaterials, focuses on the H5N1 variant known as 2.3.4.4b, which has caused widespread outbreaks in wild
- [Commentary Asserts Americans Don’t Think Avian Flu is a Threat](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/commentary-asserts-americans-dont-think-avian-flu-is-a-threat/) - In an editorial in the American Journal of Public Health, a team led by researchers from the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) say public ignorance and apathy toward bird flu (highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI) could pose a serious obstacle to containing the virus and preventing a larger-scale
- [Researchers Study Burnout Trends Among U.S. Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-study-burnout-trends-among-u-s-healthcare-workers/) - Burnout among healthcare workers is a widespread concern in healthcare both before and since the COVID-19 pandemic, yet little is known about healthcare workers' burnout levels across occupations and settings, say Mohr, et al. (2025), who sought to examine trends in burnout and professional stress reported among healthcare workers working at the U.S. Veterans Health
- [Study Reveals Gaps in Flu Treatment for High-risk Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-gaps-in-flu-treatment-for-high-risk-adults/) - A multi-state study reveals that many high-risk adults diagnosed with influenza (flu) in emergency departments and urgent care centers are not receiving timely antiviral treatment. Researchers found that only slightly more than half of these patients received antiviral prescriptions, and of those, only 80 percent were filled. This gap in treatment could increase the risk
- [A Cocktail of Drugs May Work Against Enteroviruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/a-cocktail-of-drugs-may-work-against-enteroviruses/) - Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that cause everything from the common cold to meningitis, polio, type 1 diabetes, and much more. Over 100 different types have been described by researchers, and millions of people are infected each year. "Enteroviruses pose a significant global health problem," said Erlend Ravlo, a PhD research fellow at the
- [RSV Nearly Triples the Risk of Death in Adults, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rsv-nearly-triples-the-risk-of-death-in-adults-study-finds/) - A major study presented today at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Global 2025 has revealed that adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) face a 2.7-fold higher risk of death within one year compared to the general population. The findings underscore the significant, yet often under-recognized, long-term health
- [Most COVID-19 Treatments Found to be Free of Serious Side Effects in Analysis of U.S. Studies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/most-covid-19-treatments-found-to-be-free-of-serious-side-effects-in-analysis-of-u-s-studies/) - Numerous treatment options for COVID-19 have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the last four years, including antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies that suppress an excessive immune response. Now, research from the Keck School of Medicine of USC has found that COVID-19 therapies cause few serious side effects, based on an
- [Patients' Experience of Healthcare Should be a Greater Part of Assessing Quality, Expert Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patients-experience-of-healthcare-should-be-a-greater-part-of-assessing-quality-expert-says/) - Everyone wants good quality healthcare, but what exactly is quality and how do you measure it? Is it to do with the waiting time for home care services? Or how many nursing home residents have had medical supervision in the past year? Or whether the medication lists have been checked recently? "These are important aspects
- [Invasive Strep Infections Have Doubled According to CDC Study](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/invasive-strep-infections-have-doubled-according-to-cdc-study/) - Invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Gregory, et al. (2025) sought to update trends in invasive GAS disease incidence rates in 10 U.S. states between 2013 and 2022. Design, Setting, and Participants Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data for invasive GAS cases were collected as part of
- [Physician Burnout Rates Improve but Still High](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/physician-burnout-rates-improve-but-still-high/) - First, some good news: In late 2023 and early 2024, significantly fewer U.S. physicians reported symptoms of job burnout than they did a few years earlier. The not-so-good news: Their burnout rates remain stubbornly high compared with those of other American workers. "It's concerning because we know from studies published by our research team at
- [Multi-virus Wastewater Surveillance Shows Promise at Smaller, Site-specific Scales](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multi-virus-wastewater-surveillance-shows-promise-at-smaller-site-specific-scales/) - In a new study, wastewater surveillance for multiple pathogens at five different sites identified local trends that were not captured in larger surveillance programs, and some sites used the data to inform efforts to prevent disease spread. Jay Bullen of Untap Health in London, UK, Charlotte Hammer of the University of Cambridge and colleagues present
- [Certain Nasal Bacteria May Boost the Risk for COVID-19 Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/certain-nasal-bacteria-may-boost-the-risk-for-covid-19-infection/) - A new study from researchers at the George Washington University has found that certain bacteria living in the nose may influence how likely someone is to get a COVID-19 infection. Published in EBioMedicine, the research reveals that certain types of nasal bacteria can affect the levels of key proteins the virus needs to enter human
- [Research Shows New Class of Antibiotic is Effective in Tackling MRSA](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-shows-new-class-of-antibiotic-is-effective-in-tackling-mrsa/) - The development of new antibiotics to treat superbugs and other bacterial infections is a global priority, with the rate of infections that cannot be treated with current antibiotics rising and presenting one of the biggest threats to human health. In line with that, new research has shown a daily dose of epidermicin NI01 - an
- [Researchers Examine Importance of Data Linkage to Enhance Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-importance-of-data-linkage-to-enhance-antimicrobial-resistance-surveillance/) - Surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants such as antibiotic use, prevalence of AMR, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection prevention and control are mostly analyzed and reported separately, although they are inextricably linked to each other, say van Kessel, et al. (2025). The impact of surveillance and research can be enhanced by linking these data, they
- [Study Says Investing in COVID-19 Vaccination More Than Paid Off for U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-says-investing-in-covid-19-vaccination-more-than-paid-off-for-u-s/) - Five years ago, volunteers rolled up their sleeves in the first clinical trial of a vaccine against COVID-19, as the new pandemic surged around them. A year later, 66 million American adults had gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, at no cost to them. Now, a new study shows how wise that
- [New Antibiotic for Multidrug-Resistant Superbug That Causes Gonorrhea](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-antibiotic-for-multidrug-resistant-superbug-that-causes-gonorrhea/) - The increase of microbes resistant to antibiotics is a growing problem. These include, for example, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium which causes gonorrhea. Researchers from the universities in Konstanz and Vienna discover a new class of antibiotic that selectively targets Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These substances trigger a self-destruction program, which also operates in multi-resistant variants of the
- [Study Reveals New Details on How Virus Builds Protective Shell](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-new-details-on-how-virus-builds-protective-shell/) - A research team led by Marc Morais, professor of molecular and cellular biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, has uncovered new details about how a tiny virus builds its protective outer shell. The study, published in Science Advances by Morais, Kay Choi, also a professor of molecular and cellular
- [Alternative Approach to Lyme Disease Vaccine Development Shows Promise in Pre-Clinical Models](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/alternative-approach-to-lyme-disease-vaccine-development-shows-promise-in-pre-clinical-models/) - Meeting the unmet need for a vaccine is the top priority for researchers studying Lyme disease, which infects about 476,000 people in the U.S. each year and can come with severe complications such as ongoing fatigue and joint issues. Vaccine developers have come close to success, but no human vaccine has yet been commercially viable.
- [Antibiotic Resistance Among Key Bacterial Species Plateaus Over Time](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotic-resistance-among-key-bacterial-species-plateaus-over-time/) - Antibiotic resistance tends to stabilize over time, according to a study published April 3, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Sonja Lehtinen from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern, contributing to an estimated 5 million deaths per year. Understanding long-term resistance patterns could help
- [Setting a Global Target for Rubella Eradication](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/setting-a-global-target-for-rubella-eradication/) - A major challenge in the efforts to eradicate rubella and measles has been the absence of a unified global commitment to do so, despite the availability of effective vaccines. In a Policy Forum in the journal Science, Matthew Ferrari and William Moss discuss the 2024 World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation for universal introduction of rubella-containing
- [Singapore Launches National Standard to Validate Antimicrobial Disinfectant Products](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/singapore-launches-national-standard-to-validate-antimicrobial-disinfectant-products/) - Singapore has launched a strategic national standard to strengthen public health and industry accountability in the rapidly expanding disinfectant market. Jointly developed by the Duke-NUS Centre of Regulatory Excellence-Standards Development Organisation (CoRE-SDO) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), the new Singapore Standard (SS) 705 provides a robust, science-based methodology of assessing
- [C. diff Spreads in ICUs More Than Three Times as Frequently as Previously Thought](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/c-diff-spreads-in-icus-more-than-three-times-as-frequently-as-previously-thought/) - One of the most common healthcare-associated infections spreads within intensive care units (ICUs) more than three times more than previously thought, new research has found. Clostridium difficile infection-commonly called C. diff-causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever and is lethal in about 6% of cases in the U.S. The disease is highly contagious, but in previous
- [Scientists Develop an Antiviral Chewing Gum to Reduce Influenza and Herpes Simplex Virus Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-an-antiviral-chewing-gum-to-reduce-influenza-and-herpes-simplex-virus-transmission/) - In today's interconnected world, infectious diseases pose an escalating threat, as demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and outbreaks of H1N1, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and H5N1 (bird flu) viruses-all of which have had significant global health and economic impacts. But more common viral diseases also contribute to global health challenges and economic costs. For example, seasonal
- [Pinning Down the Process of West Nile Virus Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pinning-down-the-process-of-west-nile-virus-transmission/) - Mosquitoes have been transmitting the West Nile virus to humans in the United States for over 25 years, but we still don't know precisely how the virus cycles through these pests and the other animals they bite. A federally funded project aims to help pin down the process by using mathematical models to analyze how
- [Precision Medicine Could be Possible in the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/precision-medicine-could-be-possible-in-the-fight-against-antibiotic-resistance/) - The first-of-its-kind in-depth bacterial evolutionary map could pave the way for the development of precision treatments for certain antibiotic-resistant infections, such as urinary tract infections. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Oslo, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and their collaborators, have developed a new way of using large-scale long-read sequencing data
- [Inability to Pay for Healthcare Reaches Record High in U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/inability-to-pay-for-healthcare-reaches-record-high-in-u-s/) - The inability to pay for healthcare in the U.S. has reached a new high, with more than one-third of Americans (35%), or an estimated 91 million people, reporting that they could not access quality healthcare if they needed it today, according to the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index. The Index has been tracking healthcare
- [AI-Driven Smart Devices to Transform Healthcare, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-driven-smart-devices-to-transform-healthcare-study-suggests/) - AI-powered, internet-connected medical devices have the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling early disease detection, real-time patient monitoring, and personalized treatments, a new study suggests. They are already saving lives. Wearable devices can detect cardiac issues early, triggering emergency responses and preventing complications. "The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), powered by AI, connects medical devices
- [Multi-Drug Resistance in Bacteria Predicted by AI Model](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multi-drug-resistance-in-bacteria-predicted-by-ai-model/) - An AI model trained on large amounts of genetic data can predict whether bacteria will become antibiotic-resistant. The new study shows that antibiotic resistance is more easily transmitted between genetically similar bacteria and mainly occurs in wastewater treatment plants and inside the human body. "By understanding how resistance in bacteria arises, we can better combat
- [Nurses and AI Collaborate to Save Lives, Reduce Hospital Stays](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nurses-and-ai-collaborate-to-save-lives-reduce-hospital-stays/) - An AI tool that analyzes nurses' data and notes detected when patients in the hospital were deteriorating nearly two days earlier than traditional methods and reduced the risk of death by over 35%, found a year-long clinical trial of more than 60,000 patients led by researchers at Columbia University. The new AI tool, CONCERN Early
- [Study Strengthens Link Between Shingles Vaccine and Lower Dementia Risk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-strengthens-link-between-shingles-vaccine-and-lower-dementia-risk/) - An unusual public health policy in Wales may have produced the strongest evidence yet that a vaccine can reduce the risk of dementia. In a new study led by Stanford Medicine, researchers analyzing the health records of Welsh older adults discovered that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia
- [Increased Utilization of Overtime and Agency Nurses and Patient Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/increased-utilization-of-overtime-and-agency-nurses-and-patient-safety/) - The use of nurse overtime and agency nurses has increased in recent years, making it important to understand the opportunities and limits of these alternative staffing strategies on patient safety outcomes, say Pittman, et al. (2025) who examined the association between overtime and agency nurse staffing hours and hospital patient safety. This quality improvement study
- [Patient- and Community-Level Characteristics Associated With RSV Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-and-community-level-characteristics-associated-with-rsv-vaccination/) - In 2023, the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines were recommended for U.S. adults 60 years or older, but few data are available about which patients were most likely to receive vaccine to inform future RSV vaccine outreach efforts. Surie, et al. (2025) sought to assess patient- and community-level characteristics associated with RSV vaccine receipt
- [‘Low-sugar’ Vaccine Can Provide Broad Immunity Against Coronavirus Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/low-sugar-vaccine-can-provide-broad-immunity-against-coronavirus-variants/) - Sugar coatings aren't only for candies; they also help viruses, like the ones that cause COVID-19, hide from their hosts' immune system. Now, researchers have developed a universal vaccine that targets coronaviruses and the sugars that they use as cover. As demonstrated in animal studies, the vaccine removed sugar molecules from an area of a
- [New Approach Could Treat Anthrax Beyond the Point of No Return](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-approach-could-treat-anthrax-beyond-the-point-of-no-return/) - Anthrax, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is often treatable in its early stages. But once the disease has progressed beyond the "point of no return" after just a few days, patients are almost certainly doomed. In a new Nature Microbiology study, University of Pittsburgh researchers show that a cocktail of growth
- [Risk Factors for Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Samples Upon Hospital Admission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/risk-factors-for-detection-of-pseudomonas-aeruginosa-in-clinical-samples-upon-hospital-admission-2/) - Antipseudomonal antibiotics are frequently used in patients admitted to hospitals. Many of these substances are classified as a reserve or watch status by the WHO. Inappropriate risk assessment of invasive detection of P. aeruginosa (PAE) can be a reason for overuse of antipseudomonal antibiotics. Therefore it is important to define relevant and specific risk factors
- [Investigators Examine Bodily Waste Management and Related Hygiene Practices in Nursing Homes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-examine-bodily-waste-management-and-related-hygiene-practices-in-nursing-homes/) - Bodily waste management is a critical yet frequently neglected domain of infection prevention and control, say Glampedakis, et al. (2025) who conducted a survey to examine various aspects of bodily waste management and related hygiene practices in nursing homes based on existing recommendations. All nursing homes (NH) (n = 120) of canton Vaud in Switzerland were invited
- [Study Finds Long-Covid Patients Feel Pressure to Prove Their Illness is Real](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-long-covid-patients-feel-pressure-to-prove-their-illness-is-real/) - People living with Long-Covid often feel dismissed, disbelieved and unsupported by their healthcare providers, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. The study, which was published in the Journal of Health Psychology, looked at how patients with Long Covid experience their illness. The study found that many patients feel they have to
- [AI Learns to Speak’ Genetic ‘Dialect’ for Future SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Prediction](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-learns-to-speak-genetic-dialect-for-future-sars-cov-2-mutation-prediction/) - It's been five years since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. As SARS-CoV-2 shifts to endemic status, questions about its future evolution remain. New variants of the virus will likely emerge, driven by positive selection for traits such as increased transmissibility, longer infection duration and the ability to evade immune defenses. These changes could allow
- [Study Shows H5N1 Bird Flu Mutates to Better Hijack Human Cells](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-h5n1-bird-flu-mutates-to-better-hijack-human-cells/) - According to recent findings by a team of bioinformatics and genomics experts at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the avian influenza virus has already adapted itself to escape immunological defenses (such as those raised by previous infection or vaccination) in mammals. The risk to human health is expected to rise as H5N1 evolves
- [Lasso-Shaped Antibiotic Evades Standard Drug Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lasso-shaped-antibiotic-evades-standard-drug-resistance/) - A small molecule shaped like a lasso may be a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases, according to a new study in Nature co-authored by University of Illinois Chicago researchers. Lariocidin, a peptide made by bacteria living in soil, was effective against several different microbes responsible for deadly infections. UIC researchers working with
- [Scientists Uncover How Zika Virus Knocks Out Our Immune Defenses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-how-zika-virus-knocks-out-our-immune-defenses/) - Zika virus and dengue virus are very close relatives. Both are mosquito-borne flaviviruses, and both specialize in infecting a host's dendritic cells. But a new Nature Communications study, led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and UC San Diego shows that these two viruses have vastly different ways of making us sick.
- [C. diff Uses Toxic Compound to Fuel Growth Advantage](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/c-diff-uses-toxic-compound-to-fuel-growth-advantage/) - The pathogen C. diff - the most common cause of healthcare-associated infectious diarrhea - can use a compound that kills the human gut's resident microbes to survive and grow, giving it a competitive advantage in the infected gut. A team led by investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has discovered how C. diff (Clostridioides difficile)
- [Newer Hepatitis B Vaccine Shows Promise as Booster for Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/newer-hepatitis-b-vaccine-shows-promise-as-booster-for-healthcare-workers/) - Healthcare workers are at higher risk of hepatitis B infection due to occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. They are considered protected if they have a hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (anti-HBs) titer of ≥10 mIU/mL after completing a full vaccination series. This study by Williams, et al. (2025) in Annals of Family Medicine
- [Many Patients With Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are Not Receiving CDC-recommended Treatment in Primary Care](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/many-patients-with-chlamydia-and-gonorrhea-are-not-receiving-cdc-recommended-treatment-in-primary-care/) - Prompt treatment of chlamydia and gonorrhea following a confirmed diagnosis is essential to prevent complications and reduce transmission. Adherence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) treatment guidelines in primary care settings remains a concern. This study by Hao, et al. (2025) aimed to quantify the overall treatment rate for chlamydia and gonorrhea and identify
- [Study Sheds Light on How Bacteria ‘Vaccinate’ Themselves with Genetic Material From Dormant Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-sheds-light-on-how-bacteria-vaccinate-themselves-with-genetic-material-from-dormant-viruses/) - Like people, bacteria get invaded by viruses. In bacteria, the viral invaders are called bacteriophages, derived from the Greek word for bacteria-eaters, or in shortened form, "phages." Scientists have sought to learn how the single-cell organisms survive phage infection in a bid to further understand human immunity and develop ways to combat diseases. Now, Johns
- [The March-April 2025 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-march-april-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - In this issue we examine how HAI prevention exists at the intersection of safety culture and systems thinking, and speak with a number of experts who advise healthcare facilities on how to to ensure their personnel have buy-in. To access the issue, CLICK HERE
- [McMaster University Experts Lead Canada’s First-ever Guidelines for Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mcmaster-university-experts-lead-canadas-first-ever-guidelines-for-long-covid/) - A team of experts from McMaster University has led the creation of Canada's first-ever comprehensive guidelines for diagnosing, managing, preventing, and treating post COVID-19 condition (PCC), more commonly known as long COVID. The Canadian Guidelines for Post COVID-19 Condition (CAN-PCC) provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to educate and help patients, health-care professionals, and policymakers navigate the
- [Researchers Test New, More Reliable Method to Detect Chagas Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-test-new-more-reliable-method-to-detect-chagas-disease/) - Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso have successfully tested a faster, more sensitive and reliable way to diagnose Chagas disease, a debilitating parasitic illness that affects approximately 6 million people worldwide. The results of the new study were recently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. While Chagas disease is highly
- [Researchers Examine How Deadly Bacteria Developed the Ability to Produce Antimicrobials and Eliminate Competitors](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-how-deadly-bacteria-developed-the-ability-to-produce-antimicrobials-and-eliminate-competitors/) - A drug-resistant type of bacteria that has adapted to healthcare settings evolved in the past several years to weaponize an antimicrobial genetic tool, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominate strain. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientists made the discovery when combing through local hospital data - and then confirmed that it
- [Researchers Discover Vulnerability of Lyme Disease Pathogen](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-discover-vulnerability-of-lyme-disease-pathogen/) - Researchers have discovered that an enzyme can serve as an ideal target for developing new therapeutics against Lyme disease, and most likely other tick-borne diseases as well. The finding was reported in mBio, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States and
- [To Overcome Antibiotic Resistance, Research Says to Let It Flow](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/to-overcome-antibiotic-resistance-research-says-to-let-it-flow/) - Some notoriously difficult to treat infections may not be as resistant to antibiotics as has been thought, according to new research using a microfluidic device that more closely duplicates the fluid flow found in the body than standard cultures. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team, led by biochemistry professor Joe Sanfilippo, tested antibiotic agents
- [Research Team Creates Universal RNA Barcoding System for Tracking Gene Transfer in Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-team-creates-universal-rna-barcoding-system-for-tracking-gene-transfer-in-bacteria/) - In the microscopic world of bacteria, gene transfer is a powerful mechanism that can alter cellular function, drive antibiotic resistance and even shape entire ecosystems. Now an interdisciplinary group of researchers at Rice University has developed an innovative RNA "barcoding" method to track these genetic exchanges in microbial communities, providing new insights into how genes
- [Current Antivirals Likely Less Effective Against Severe Infection Caused by Bird Flu Virus in Cows’ Milk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/current-antivirals-likely-less-effective-against-severe-infection-caused-by-bird-flu-virus-in-cows-milk/) - As the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak continues, scientists are working to better understand the virus's threat to human health. The virus has been found in dairy cows' milk and has infected farm workers, prompting scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to study potential treatments. Results showed that in a preclinical model, two FDA-approved flu
- [Why Research on Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment is Even More Relevant Today](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/why-research-on-tuberculosis-prevention-and-treatment-is-even-more-relevant-today/) - Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, with outbreaks continuing to emerge globally and domestically. While TB rates in the U.S. are low, the disease is on the rise according to the World Health Organization's 2024 country report for the United States and certain populations are at high risk, such as persons
- [Organizations Unite to Affirm Vaccine Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/organizations-unite-to-affirm-vaccine-safety/) - In response to what it deems as growing concerns over vaccine misinformation, declining public trust in science, and recent outbreaks of preventable diseases, a coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations, led by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and the American College of Physicians (ACP), has issued a unified statement emphasizing the critical role
- [Lassa Fever Vaccine Enters Phase 1 Clinical Trial](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lassa-fever-vaccine-enters-phase-1-clinical-trial/) - Thomas Jefferson University announces it has initiated a phase 1 clinical trial for a Lassa virus (LASV) vaccine developed at Jefferson in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), at the Center of Vaccine Development and Global Health, UMB. Currently, there are no approved vaccines against the Lassa virus. The clinical study is a
- [Symptoms of Long-COVID Can Last Up to Two Years After Infection With COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/symptoms-of-long-covid-can-last-up-to-two-years-after-infection-with-covid-19/) - Twenty-three percent of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 between 2021 and 2023 developed long-COVID, and in more than half of them the symptoms persisted for two years. These are the main conclusions of a study conducted by ISGlobal in collaboration with the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), as part of the European END-VOC project.
- [With Bird Flu in Raw Milk, Many in U.S. Still Don't Know Risks of Consuming It](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/with-bird-flu-in-raw-milk-many-in-u-s-still-dont-know-risks-of-consuming-it/) - Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located H5N1 bird flu virus in samples of raw, or unpasteurized, milk in tests in four states in April 2024, and bird flu has been detected in commercially sold raw milk, many Americans do not know that consuming raw milk and its products poses greater health risks than
- [Older Adults Might Be More Resistant to Bird Flu Infections Than Children, Research Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/older-adults-might-be-more-resistant-to-bird-flu-infections-than-children-research-finds/) - Prior exposures to specific types of seasonal influenza viruses promote cross-reactive immunity against the H5N1 avian influenza virus, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Older adults who were exposed to seasonal flu viruses that circulated prior to 1968 were found to be more likely to have
- [Social Networks May Help Combat Global Spread of Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/social-networks-may-help-combat-global-spread-of-diseases/) - People's social connections play a critical role in determining whether they adopt preventive health measures that could help to reduce the spread of diseases such as malaria, a new study reveals. Researchers focused on malaria prevention in 10 villages in rural India, looking at how different factors influence people's use of preventive measures like bed
- [Researchers Explore the Relationship Between Gut Microbiota, Immunoglobulin A and Vaccine Efficacy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-the-relationship-between-gut-microbiota-immunoglobulin-a-and-vaccine-efficacy/) - Gut microbiota may be the key factor explaining why certain individuals do not respond well to the pneumococcal vaccine-a bacterium that can cause various diseases, such as pneumonia. This conclusion is drawn from a recent study led by the B Cell Biology Research Group at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, published in Science Advances.
- [RSV Hospitalization Risk Among Older Adults Linked to Age and Certain Risk Conditions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rsv-hospitalization-risk-among-older-adults-linked-to-age-and-certain-risk-conditions/) - Among older adults in Spain, hospitalization rates from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection increases progressively with age and is more likely among people with other health issues and who live in nursing homes, according to a study published in Eurosurveillance. The hospitalization rate varied considerably with age and the presence of risk conditions, with important
- [Nurse-Engineer Team Honored for Inventing IV Pole Designed to Improve Patient Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nurse-engineer-team-honored-for-inventing-iv-pole-designed-to-improve-patient-safety/) - A nurse-engineer team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has been honored with an ANA Innovation Award for inventing a new intravenous (IV) pole designed to improve the safety and ease of administering IV medications at the hospital bedside. The American Nurses Association Foundation and the American Nurses Enterprise announced the 2025 award winners on
- [Study Indicates Tecovirimat is Safe but Ineffective as Treatment for Clade II Mpox](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-indicates-tecovirimat-is-safe-but-ineffective-as-treatment-for-clade-ii-mpox/) - The antiviral drug tecovirimat used without other antivirals did not reduce the time to clinical resolution of clade II mpox lesions or improve pain control among adults in an international clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The trial enrollment was stopped in late 2024 when an interim analysis showed that tecovirimat
- [Inhaled COVID Vaccine Begins Recruitment for Phase-2 Human Trials](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/inhaled-covid-vaccine-begins-recruitment-for-phase-2-human-trials/) - Researchers at McMaster University have started a phase-2 clinical trial on a next-generation, inhaled COVID-19 vaccine. The AeroVax study, supported by $8 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), will test needle-free vaccines developed to provide protection from SARS-CoV-2. Led by Fiona Smaill and Zhou Xing, members of the Michael G.
- [Study Discovers Tuberculosis Genes Necessary for Airborne Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-discovers-tuberculosis-genes-necessary-for-airborne-transmission/) - Tuberculosis bacteria rely on a family of genes that help them survive the challenging journey from one person's lungs to another person's during coughing, sneezing or talking, according to researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The findings provide new targets for tuberculosis therapies that could simultaneously treat infection and prevent
- [Scientists Announce Breakthrough in Next-generation Polio Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-announce-breakthrough-in-next-generation-polio-vaccines/) - A more affordable, lower-risk polio vaccine is on the horizon, research led by the University of Leeds has found. Researchers have taken a major step toward producing a more affordable and lower-risk polio vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs). These particles mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus, but are empty inside. This means there is
- [Medical Infusion Bags Can Release Microplastics, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/medical-infusion-bags-can-release-microplastics-study-shows/) - Microplastics have been found almost everywhere that scientists have looked for them. Now, according to research published in the ACS partner journal Environment & Health, these bits of plastic - from 1 to 62 micrometers long - are present in the filtered solutions used for medical intravenous (IV) infusions. The researchers estimate that thousands of
- [Study Quantifies Loss of Disability-free Years of Life From COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-quantifies-loss-of-disability-free-years-of-life-from-covid-19-pandemic/) - Among 289 million adults in 18 European countries, more than 16 million years of life were lost from 2020 through 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study published March 11 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Sara Ahmadi-Abhari of Imperial College London, UK, and colleagues. The direct and indirect impacts
- [Less Than Half of Parents Think They Have Accurate Information About Bird Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/less-than-half-of-parents-think-they-have-accurate-information-about-bird-flu/) - With soaring egg prices and ongoing bird flu headlines, many parents are uncertain about the risks and facts surrounding the virus, a national poll suggests. Most parents say they don't know if there have been cases of bird flu in their state, and less than half feel that they are able to find accurate and
- [Study Links Sleep Debt and Night Shifts to Increased Infection Risk Among Nurses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-links-sleep-debt-and-night-shifts-to-increased-infection-risk-among-nurses/) - A new study examining the effects of sleep patterns and shift work on the immune system has found that sleep debt and night shifts increase the risk of several common infections in nurses. Modern society relies on shift work, which requires employees to work outside of traditional hours. While essential in sectors such as healthcare,
- [Measles Makes a Comeback: Your Questions Answered](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/measles-makes-a-comeback-your-questions-answered/) - A case of measles in a child was confirmed in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on March 2 ─ the first reported case in the state in 2025. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 164 measles cases in nine states. Texas alone has seen at least 140 cases since late January, including one
- [Scientists Develop an Aerosol Test for Airborne Bird Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-an-aerosol-test-for-airborne-bird-flu/) - Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (also known as bird flu) have created a need for rapid and sensitive detection methods to mitigate its spread. Now, researchers report in ACS Sensors that they have developed a prototype sensor that detects a type of influenza virus that causes bird flu (H5N1) in air samples. The
- [Expert Challenges Conventional Thought on Nurse Continuity in ICUs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/expert-challenges-conventional-thought-on-nurse-continuity-in-icus/) - A new Penn Nursing study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society challenges conventional thought regarding the benefits of continuity in nursing care within intensive care units (ICUs). The researchers found that increased nurse continuity was not associated with a reduction in in-hospital mortality - in some shifts, it was even linked to
- [Research Identifies Key Antibodies for Development of Broadly Protective Norovirus Vaccine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-identifies-key-antibodies-for-development-of-broadly-protective-norovirus-vaccine/) - Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a strategy to fight back against norovirus, a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. Their new study, published in Science Translational Medicine, identifies powerful antibodies capable of
- [Smartwatches Could End the Next Pandemic, Study Indicates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/smartwatches-could-end-the-next-pandemic-study-indicates/) - Everyday smartwatches are extremely accurate in detecting viral infection long before symptoms appear - now, research shows how they could help stop a pandemic before it even begins. Early detection of sickness is critical for preventing its spread - whether it's COVID-19, influenza or the common cold. Yet, many illnesses are at their most contagious
- [Study Says Young Children Adapt Quickly to Changing Pandemic Behaviors](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-says-young-children-adapt-quickly-to-changing-pandemic-behaviors/) - The COVID-19 pandemic had a major and sudden effect on all aspects of life, requiring children and their families to rapidly change their habits and adopt new behaviors to stay healthy. New research from the University of Michigan shows that despite these challenges, young children understood the reasons for these novel norms and social practices
- [Addressing Undernutrition in Children May Improve Vaccine Efficacy, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/addressing-undernutrition-in-children-may-improve-vaccine-efficacy-study-finds/) - California's Berkeley School of Public Health has found that undernutrition may play an important role in measles outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries, even among children who have been fully vaccinated. In November 2024, the World Health Organisation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that worldwide about 10.3 million cases of
- [Scientists Develop Biosensor That Can Detect Airborne Bird Flu in Under 5 Minutes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-biosensor-that-can-detect-airborne-bird-flu-in-under-5-minutes/) - As highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza continues to spread in the U.S., posing serious threats to dairy and poultry farms, both farmers and public health experts need better ways to monitor for infections, in real time, to mitigate and respond to outbreaks. Now, thanks to research from Washington University in St. Louis published in a
- [Study Uncovers the Core Principles of Low-resistance Antibiotics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-uncovers-the-core-principles-of-low-resistance-antibiotics/) - A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications has revealed novel insights into bacterial resistance and offers a promising strategy for developing antibiotics that minimize the evolution of resistance. Led by Csaba Pal, D.Sc. at HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Hungary, the research team demonstrated that a dual-target approach, combining membrane disruption with an additional critical cellular
- [E. coli Strain in Egyptian Dairy Products Also Found in Japan School Outbreak](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/e-coli-strain-in-egyptian-dairy-products-also-found-in-japan-school-outbreak/) - Researchers found one of the E. coli strains isolated in cheese in Egypt in 2018 had the same properties as the E. coli in the milk that caused food poisoning in more than 1,800 schoolchildren in Toyama Prefecture in Japan in 2021. Courtesy of Osaka Metropolitan University No one should have to fear food poisoning
- [Study Compares Indoor Transmission-risk Metrics for Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-compares-indoor-transmission-risk-metrics-for-infectious-diseases/) - A recent study published in the journal Engineering delves into the complex world of assessing the transmission risk of infectious diseases in indoor spaces. With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding how to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) has become crucial. Governments worldwide implemented NPIs to control the spread of
- [APIC Calls on State Legislators to Immediately Strengthen Vaccine Requirements to Prevent Further Measles Outbreaks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-calls-on-state-legislators-to-immediately-strengthen-vaccine-requirements-to-prevent-further-measles-outbreaks/) - The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has issued the following statement regarding the current measles outbreak and a measles-related death reported in Lubbock, Texas, the first such reported death in the U.S. since 2015: "Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. 25 years ago, a major public health achievement. Yet today,
- [Risk Factors for Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Samples Upon Hospital Admission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/risk-factors-for-detection-of-pseudomonas-aeruginosa-in-clinical-samples-upon-hospital-admission/) - Antipseudomonal antibiotics are frequently used in patients admitted to hospitals. Many of these substances are classified as a reserve or watch status by the WHO. Inappropriate risk assessment of invasive detection of P. aeruginosa (PAE) can be a reason for overuse of antipseudomonal antibiotics, therefore it is important to define relevant and specific risk factors
- [Immunity Against Seasonal H1N1 Flu Reduces Bird Flu Severity in Ferret Model, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/immunity-against-seasonal-h1n1-flu-reduces-bird-flu-severity-in-ferret-model-study-suggests/) - Pre-existing immunity against seasonal H1N1 flu might help explain why most reported human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. have not resulted in lethal outcomes, suggests a new study by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Emory University researchers. The report was published last week in Emerging Infectious Diseases. In a ferret
- [Flu Vaccine Offers Moderate Protection in Most European Countries During the 2024-25 Season](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/flu-vaccine-offers-moderate-protection-in-most-european-countries-during-the-2024-25-season/) - The influenza vaccine for the 2024/2025 season provided moderate protection against influenza A and strong protection against influenza B, according to an assessment of interim influenza vaccine effectiveness just published in Eurosurveillance. Ahead of the World Health Organization (WHO) consultation meeting on the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2025/26 northern hemisphere
- [From Dormant to Dangerous: How VZV Reactivation is Driving CNS Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/from-dormant-to-dangerous-how-vzv-reactivation-is-driving-cns-infections/) - The varicella zoster virus (VZV), an infectious virus from the herpes virus family, is primarily known to cause varicella in children and shingles in adults. But lately, this virus has also been reported to trigger severe complications like central nervous system (CNS) infections. Researchers from Fujita Health University in Japan conducted a comprehensive study spanning
- [Experts Review a New Legal Standard for Medical Malpractice](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-review-a-new-legal-standard-for-medical-malpractice/) - Patients in the U.S. have persistent needs for safe, evidence-based care, say Aaron, et al. (2025), who add, "Physicians in the U.S. report fear of liability risk and the need to practice "defensive medicine. In 2024, the American Law Institute revised the legal standard for assessing medical negligence. Understanding the implications of this change is
- [Scientists Designing Self-destructing Bacteria to Make Effective TB Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-designing-self-destructing-bacteria-to-make-effective-tb-vaccines/) - Working toward more effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccines, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed two strains of mycobacteria with "kill switches" that can be triggered to stop the bacteria after they activate an immune response. Two preclinical studies, published, Jan. 10 in Nature Microbiology, tackle the challenge of engineering bacteria that are safe for use
- [Virologist: These Steps Can Halt the Spread of Bird Flu and Prevent a Human Epidemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/virologist-these-steps-can-halt-the-spread-of-bird-flu-and-prevent-a-human-epidemic/) - As bird flu continues to circulate among wild birds and domestic livestock, public health officials are increasingly concerned about the potential for the virus to become transmissible among humans and potentially cause an epidemic. So far, humans have only contracted bird flu from contact with infected animals and cannot pass the virus to other humans.
- [Mortality Among U.S. Physicians and Other Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mortality-among-u-s-physicians-and-other-healthcare-workers/) - National estimates of mortality among physicians and other healthcare workers are lacking, say Patel, et al. (2025), who add that it is also unknown if distinct patterns exist across sex, race, and ethnicity. The researchers aimed to compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates among physicians, health are workers, and non-healthcare workers by sex, race, and
- [Scientists Invent New Drug Candidates to Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-invent-new-drug-candidates-to-treat-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/) - There's an arms race in medicine - scientists design drugs to treat lethal bacterial infections, but bacteria can evolve defenses to those drugs, sending the researchers back to square one. In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, a University of California, Irvine-led team describes the development of a drug candidate that can stop bacteria
- [Zika Virus Builds Tunnels to Covertly Infect Cells of the Placenta](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/zika-virus-builds-tunnels-to-covertly-infect-cells-of-the-placenta/) - Infection with Zika virus in pregnancy can lead to neurological disorders, fetal abnormalities and fetal death. Until now, how the virus manages to cross the placenta, which nurtures the developing fetus and forms a strong barrier against microbes and chemicals that could harm the fetus, has not been clear. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine
- [New Ebola Virus Research Boosts Pandemic Preparedness](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-ebola-virus-research-boosts-pandemic-preparedness/) - New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) reveals the workings of a human antibody called mAb 3A6, which may prove to be an important component for Ebola virus therapeutics. This antibody was isolated from blood samples from an Ebola survivor treated at Emory University Hospital during the 2014-2016 Ebola virus
- [Digging Into a Decades-old Hepatitis B Mystery Suggests a New Potential Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/digging-into-a-decades-old-hepatitis-b-mystery-suggests-a-new-potential-treatment/) - In their effort to answer a decades-old biological question about how the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is able to establish infection of liver cells, research led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University identified a vulnerability that opens the door to new treatments. The team successfully disrupted the
- [Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine Prescriptions Soared During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ivermectin-hydroxychloroquine-prescriptions-soared-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - U.S. outpatient prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin increased 2- to 10-fold above pre-pandemic rates, respectively, to treat COVID-19, despite strong evidence disproving their effectiveness, new UCLA-led research shows. Nearly three million COVID-related prescriptions were issued in the three and a half years between January 30, 2020 and June 30, 2023, totaling $272 million in estimated
- [HIV Protein Switch May Help Virus Squeeze into Host Cell Nucleus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hiv-protein-switch-may-help-virus-squeeze-into-host-cell-nucleus/) - Supercomputer simulations have revealed how changes in the shape of the HIV-1 capsid protein may help the virus squeeze its inner core into the host cell's nuclear membrane. The findings, by a University of Pittsburgh team using the Bridges-2 system at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, suggest how the capsid may deform to fit through the
- [Stigma, Unequal Access and an Aging Population: Challenges to HIV Care and Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/stigma-unequal-access-and-an-aging-population-challenges-to-hiv-care-and-prevention/) - Despite breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention worldwide, critical challenges such as stigma, unequal access and managing the virus for an aging population remain, a group of Rutgers Health experts said at a recent event to address these issues. These experts, who gathered at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, underscored the ongoing need for innovative
- [A New Variant, Asymptomatic Infections: Why an Expert Says the Bird Flu May Be Difficult to Contain](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/a-new-variant-asymptomatic-infections-why-an-expert-says-the-bird-flu-may-be-difficult-to-contain/) - A new variant of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza - commonly known as bird flu - has been detected in Nevada, first in cows and later in a dairy worker, raising concerns about the virus's spread. Additionally, three veterinarians specializing in cattle have tested positive for bird flu despite presenting zero symptoms. One worked
- [Scientists Warn of Increased Mpox Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-warn-of-increased-mpox-transmission/) - International researchers, including from DTU National Food Institute, warn that the ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has the potential to spread across borders more rapidly. The mpox virus has mutated, and the new variant, clade 1b, has become more infectious. Genetic analyses of clade 1b, first detected in September
- [Investigators Say Post-Operative Infections May Be Greatly Underestimated](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-say-post-operative-infections-may-be-greatly-underestimated/) - One in five older adults gets an infection up to six months after heart surgery - with women far more likely to develop one, according to studies led by Michigan Medicine. The two studies examined thousands of cases involving Medicare beneficiaries who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, also known as CABG or heart bypass, or
- [Scientists Suggest Advances in AI Can Help Prepare for the Next Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-suggest-advances-in-ai-can-help-prepare-for-the-next-pandemic/) - A study published in Nature today outlines for the first time how advances in AI can accelerate breakthroughs in infectious disease research and outbreak response. The study - which is published following last week's AI Action Summit and amidst increasing global debate on AI investment and regulation - puts particular emphasis on safety, accountability and
- [U.S. is Facing Critical Hospital Bed Shortage by 2032](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-is-facing-critical-hospital-bed-shortage-by-2032/) - U.S. hospital occupancy after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic is significantly higher than it was before the pandemic, setting the stage for a hospital bed shortage as early as 2032, new research suggests. In the decade leading up to the pandemic, U.S. average hospital occupancy was approximately 64%. In a study to be published
- [Ventilation Fans Can Significantly Lower the Risk of Inhaling Bacteria After Toilet Flushing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ventilation-fans-can-significantly-lower-the-risk-of-inhaling-bacteria-after-toilet-flushing/) - Bioaerosol emissions during toilet flushing are an often-overlooked source of potential health risks in shared public facilities. A new study published in Risk Analysis found that bioaerosol concentrations of two bacteria -- Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) -- exceeded acceptable levels established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after toilet
- [Researchers Detail Acquisition of Legionnaires’ Disease From a Lake Swim](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-detail-acquisition-of-legionnaires-disease-from-a-lake-swim/) - Swimming in some lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella, bacteria that can cause pneumonia, and people who engage in open water swimming should be aware of this risk, say the authors of a practice article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. "Legionella infection represents a public health hazard owing to
- [Designing Antivirals for Shape-Shifting Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/designing-antivirals-for-shape-shifting-viruses/) - Viruses, like those that cause COVID-19 or HIV, are formidable opponents once they invade our bodies. Antiviral treatments strive to block a virus or halt its replication. However, viruses are dynamic-constantly evolving and changing shape, which can make designing antiviral treatments a challenge. But new research utilizes an innovative computational modeling approach to capture the
- [Study Explains How Antidepressants Can Protect Against Infections and Sepsis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-explains-how-antidepressants-can-protect-against-infections-and-sepsis/) - Antidepressants like Prozac are commonly prescribed to treat mental health disorders, but new research suggests they could also protect against serious infections and life-threatening sepsis. Scientists at the Salk Institute have now uncovered how the drugs are able to regulate the immune system and defend against infectious disease-insights that could lead to a new generation
- [Tracking U.S. Healthcare Spending by Health Condition and County](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tracking-u-s-healthcare-spending-by-health-condition-and-county/) - Understanding health conditions with the most spending and variation across locations and over time is important for identifying trends, highlighting inequalities, and developing strategies for lowering health spending, say Dieleman, et al. (2025). The researchers sought to estimate U.S. healthcare spending for each of 3,110 U.S. counties, across four payers (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and
- [Surveyed Adults Don’t Trust Healthcare to Use AI Responsibly and Without Harm](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surveyed-adults-dont-trust-healthcare-to-use-ai-responsibly-and-without-harm/) - A study finds that 65.8% of adults surveyed had low trust in their healthcare system to use artificial intelligence responsibly and 57.7% had low trust in their healthcare systems to make sure an AI tool would not harm them. The research letter was published in JAMA Network Open. Adults who had higher levels of overall
- [Researchers Find That Long-COVID Prevalence Decreases as Acute Illness Becomes Milder](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-find-that-long-covid-prevalence-decreases-as-acute-illness-becomes-milder/) - Long-COVID is a common complication of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, but the prevalence and predictors of the condition remain poorly characterized, say Figueroa, et al. (2025). The researchers prospectively studied adults (≥18 years) with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting to an urban safety net hospital and associated clinics between July
- [Detection of Pneumococcal Carriage in Asymptomatic Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/detection-of-pneumococcal-carriage-in-asymptomatic-healthcare-workers/) - Healthcare workers are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). While little asymptomatic carriage has been reported in young-to-middle-aged adults, this may be due to non-sensitive diagnostic methods, say Waghela, et al. (2025) who sought to investigate the rates of pneumococcal carriage in a large cohort of healthcare workers, using
- [Discussing Barriers and Concerns is Key for Getting Older Adults Vaccinated](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/discussing-barriers-and-concerns-is-key-for-getting-older-adults-vaccinated/) - A clear endorsement from their healthcare provider and being supplied information about recommended vaccines before their clinic visit spurred more older Americans to get vaccinated, a new University of Virginia School of Medicine study found. Because immune systems age like the rest of the body, older adults are at higher risk for poor outcomes from
- [Influenza A Viruses Adapt Shape in Response to Environmental Pressures](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/influenza-a-viruses-adapt-shape-in-response-to-environmental-pressures/) - Influenza A virus particles strategically adapt their shape-to become either spheres or larger filaments to favor their ability to infect cells depending on environmental conditions, according to a new study from National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists. This previously unrecognized response could help explain how influenza A and other viruses persist in populations, evade immune
- [Blood Test Eases Diagnosis of Invasive Mold Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/blood-test-eases-diagnosis-of-invasive-mold-disease/) - For people with weakened immune systems, common molds lurking in the environment - in the soil, along damp walls or on a forgotten apple - can cause dangerous infections deep inside the body. These invasive mold infections can quickly become fatal without treatment, yet they are difficult to diagnose without invasive procedures such as a
- [Nurses Worldwide Experience Stress, Loss and Violence](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nurses-worldwide-experience-stress-loss-and-violence/) - A first-of-its-kind study provides a snapshot of the substantial mental health burden on nurses around the world. Published in the journal International Nursing Review, the research documents the impact of three years of intense working conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our study describes how nurses are affected by stressors in their workplace and
- [Many Young Adults Favor At-home STI Testing for Convenience and Privacy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/many-young-adults-favor-at-home-sti-testing-for-convenience-and-privacy/) - Stigma, privacy and inconvenience are among the many barriers that may prevent some adolescents and young adults from addressing sexual health with a traditional health provider. But many young people prefer testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the comfort of their own home, a new study suggests. Ninety one percent of survey participants ages
- [Study Sheds Light on the Causes of Fevers of Unknown Origin in Sub-Saharan Africa](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-sheds-light-on-the-causes-of-fevers-of-unknown-origin-in-sub-saharan-africa/) - A new retrospective, laboratory-based observational study provides detailed insights into the causes of fevers of unknown origin in sub-Saharan Africa. Together with scientists from Guinea and Slovakia, researchers from the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin examined 550 patients from Guinea who developed a persistent fever at the time of
- [Center for Sepsis Epidemiology and Prevention Studies is Launched](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/center-for-sepsis-epidemiology-and-prevention-studies-is-launched/) - The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute announces the launch of the Center for Sepsis Epidemiology and Prevention Studies (SEPSIS). This pioneering center of excellence is dedicated to advancing understanding, prevention, and management of sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection. The SEPSIS Center will be led by Dr. Chanu Rhee
- [Diabetes Can Drive the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/diabetes-can-drive-the-evolution-of-antibiotic-resistance/) - Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of antibiotic resistance associated infections and deaths. It is also the most prevalent bacterial infection among those with diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition that affects blood sugar control and reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Microbiologists Brian Conlon, PhD, and Lance Thurlow, PhD, at the UNC School of
- [Unraveling the Complex Role of Climate in Dengue Dynamics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unraveling-the-complex-role-of-climate-in-dengue-dynamics/) - The research team led by Kim Jae Kyoung, professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at KAIST and chief investigator of the Biomedical Mathematics Group at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), has unveiled new insights into how weather influences the spread of dengue fever. Their study identifies temperature and rainfall as critical factors driving
- [Keeping Your Phone Clean Can Help Prevent You From Getting Sick](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/keeping-your-phone-clean-can-help-prevent-you-from-getting-sick/) - We often overlook how many germs our cell phones carry. From the number of surfaces we place them on to every time we touch - or allow someone else to touch - them with unclean hands. According to a 2020 review of past studies, researchers found cell phones around the world carry a diverse range
- [AI Accelerates the Search for New Tuberculosis Drug Targets](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-accelerates-the-search-for-new-tuberculosis-drug-targets/) - Tuberculosis is a serious global health threat that infected more than 10 million people in 2022. Spread through the air and into the lungs, the pathogen that causes TB can lead to chronic cough, chest pains, fatigue, fever and weight loss. While infections are more extensive in other parts of the world, a serious tuberculosis
- [Cash and Counseling Slash Unsuccessful TB Outcomes by Half](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cash-and-counseling-slash-unsuccessful-tb-outcomes-by-half/) - A new study, a randomized controlled trial conducted across nine clinics in Johannesburg, evaluated the effects of a patient-centered intervention combining pre-test and post-test TB counseling with financial incentives on treatment adherence and outcomes. Professor Nazir Ismail from Wits University, Johannesburg, and Dr. Harry Moultrie from SA's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) led the
- [Wasteful Tests Before Surgery: Study Shows How to Reduce Them Safely](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/wasteful-tests-before-surgery-study-shows-how-to-reduce-them-safely/) - For many patients, getting ready to have surgery means getting their blood drawn, their heart rhythm checked, or having other tests in the weeks leading up to their operation. But not all patients need all those tests -- especially if the results won't change how their surgical team treats them or how well they do
- [Smart-Sensor Technology Takes the Pain Out of Wound Monitoring](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/smart-sensor-technology-takes-the-pain-out-of-wound-monitoring/) - A major challenge in self-powered wearable sensors for healthcare monitoring is distinguishing different signals when they occur at the same time. Researchers from Penn State and China's Hebei University of Technology addressed this issue by uncovering a new property of a sensor material, enabling the team to develop a new type of flexible sensor that
- [Photodynamic Inactivation Using Curcumin to Curb Bacterial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/photodynamic-inactivation-using-curcumin-to-curb-bacterial-resistance/) - Researchers at Texas A&M have now shown that curcumin, the compound that gives turmeric its characteristic bright yellow color, can potentially be used to reduce antibiotic resistance. The researchers showed that when curcumin is intentionally given to bacteria as food and then activated by light, it can trigger deleterious reactions within these microbes, eventually killing
- [Researchers Investigate Changes in U.S. Primary Care Access and Capabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-changes-in-u-s-primary-care-access-and-capabilities-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - Many of the capabilities needed to deliver accessible, high-quality primary care have been defined, but little is known about how their implementation has changed in U.S. practices over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic or about the factors associated with greater capabilities, according to Mackwood, et al. (2025). They sought to describe U.S. primary care
- [Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine to Enter U.S. Clinical Trials](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nasal-covid-19-vaccine-to-enter-u-s-clinical-trials/) - A nasal vaccine for COVID-19 - based on technology developed at Washington University in St. Louis - is poised to enter a phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S. after an investigational new drug application from Ocugen, Inc. was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ocugen, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, licensed the innovative
- [Tackling Infections in Pediatric HSCT: A Risk-Adapted Approach](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tackling-infections-in-pediatric-hsct-a-risk-adapted-approach/) - Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a vital treatment for both malignant and non-malignant disorders in pediatric patients. While the procedure offers hope for many, infections remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in allogeneic transplants. Advances in HSCT practices-such as the increasing use of alternative donors, ex vivo T-cell depletion,
- [Why Some Kids Get Sicker: The Hidden Power of Nose Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/why-some-kids-get-sicker-the-hidden-power-of-nose-bacteria/) - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under 2 years old, resulting in significant morbidity and a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Despite its widespread prevalence, the relationship between respiratory bacteria and RSV infection has remained underexplored. The interactions between viruses and the microbiome-especially in
- [Could Phages be Used as Antibiotics?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-phages-be-used-as-antibiotics/) - Scientists are learning more about how an intriguing type of virus protects itself. Revealing its strategies could boost the fight against antibiotic resistance. Phages are viruses that attack bacteria by injecting their DNA, then usurping bacterial machinery to reproduce. Eventually, they make so many copies of themselves that the bacteria burst. By looking at this
- [Exposure to Air Pollution Associated With More Hospital Admissions for Lower Respiratory Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/exposure-to-air-pollution-associated-with-more-hospital-admissions-for-lower-respiratory-infections/) - Air pollution is a well-known risk factor for respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, its contribution to lower respiratory infections - those that affect the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs, bronchi and alveoli - is less well documented, especially in adults. To fill this gap in knowledge, a
- [Scientists Observe Ozonated Water’s Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-observe-ozonated-waters-effectiveness-against-sars-cov-2-in-saliva/) - Disinfecting surfaces is crucial in keeping bacteria and viruses at bay, but the cleaning solutions could be ineffective if met with neutralizing compounds. Ozonated water has a strong disinfection effect on mold and bacteria, and is also shown to work on SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for COVID-19. The downside is that ozonated water breaks down
- [ECDC Sounds Alarm on Increase in CRE in EU/EEA Healthcare Facilities](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ecdc-sounds-alarm-on-increase-in-cre-in-eu-eea-healthcare-facilities/) - Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), including carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli, pose a major risk to patients and healthcare systems in the EU/EEA. In fact, according to an updated European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) risk assessment the epidemiological situation has been deteriorating since 2019. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae bloodstream infections have surged in
- [Researchers Investigate Intersection of Race and Rurality With HAIs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-intersection-of-race-and-rurality-with-hais/) - Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, but little is known about whether structural factors impacting race and rurality are associated with HAI and subsequent outcomes, say Nickel, et al. (2025), who sought to evaluate the association of race and rurality, which are proxies for structural disadvantage, with HAI and subsequent
- [Researchers Study the Role of Robots in Hand Hygiene](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-study-the-role-of-robots-in-hand-hygiene/) - Hand hygiene is a critical component of infection prevention in healthcare settings, say Wong, et al. (2024) who add that innovative strategies are required to enhance hand hygiene practices among patients and healthcare workers (HCWs). This study was conducted at the Chemotherapy Day Center of Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong. It comprised three phases:
- [Researchers Examine Healthcare Personnel's Views on Antimicrobial Resistance in Chronic Respiratory Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-healthcare-personnels-views-on-antimicrobial-resistance-in-chronic-respiratory-disease/) - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global crisis, however, relatively little is known regarding its impact in chronic respiratory disease and the specific challenges faced by healthcare workers across the world in this field, say Ananth, et al. (2025) who aimed to assess global healthcare worker views on the challenges they face regarding AMR in chronic
- [Detections of Poliovirus in Sewage Samples Require Increased Surveillance, ECDC Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/detections-of-poliovirus-in-sewage-samples-require-increased-surveillance-ecdc-says/) - Between September and December 2024, four countries in the EU/EEA (Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain) and the United Kingdom reported detections of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in sewage samples. This is the first time cVDPV2 has been detected in EU/EEA countries from environmental surveillance. To date, no human polio cases have been reported and
- [Nanoflower-Coated Dressings Demonstrate Antibiotic Properties](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nanoflower-coated-dressings-demonstrate-antibiotic-properties/) - A carnation-like nanostructure could someday be used in bandages to promote wound healing. Researchers report in ACS Applied Bio Materials that laboratory tests of their nanoflower-coated dressings demonstrate antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and biocompatible properties. They say these results show these tannic acid and copper(II) phosphate sprouted nanoflower bandages are promising candidates for treating infections and inflammatory
- [Clinical Trial Will Evaluate New Dengue Therapeutic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/clinical-trial-will-evaluate-new-dengue-therapeutic/) - A clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is testing an experimental treatment designed to help people suffering the effects of dengue, a mosquito-borne viral disease. The study is supported by NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and will involve exposing adult volunteers to a weakened strain of dengue
- [Study Finds Full Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 Associated With Significantly Improved Clinical Outcomes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-full-vaccination-against-sars-cov-2-associated-with-significantly-improved-clinical-outcomes/) - Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been crucial in impeding virus spread and preventing fatal complications, say Maleki, et al. (2025), who add that despite growing evidence of vaccine efficacy, data on its impact on hospitalized patients remain limited. The researchers aimed to estimate the risk of mortality, ICU admission, and hospitalization length among hospitalized COVID-19 patients
- [Researchers Investigate SARS‐CoV‐2 and Influenza A/B Co-infection Among COVID-19 Patients](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-sars‐cov‐2-and-influenza-a-b-co-infection-among-covid-19-patients/) - The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health problem and may result in co-infection with other pathogens such as influenza virus. This review by Golpour, et al. (2025) investigates the co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B among patients with COVID-19. This meta- analysis included 38
- [COVID-19 Pandemic Drove Significant Increase in Patients Leaving ERs Before Medically Recommended](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-pandemic-drove-significant-increase-in-patients-leaving-ers-before-medically-recommended/) - Researchers have long known that patients who leave emergency departments before medically advised use more emergency care services, are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital and face higher costs of care-as well as increased mortality rates. Until now, however, little has been known about national, multi-year trends, including the impact of the COVID-19
- [Ventilation in Hospitals Could Cause Viruses to Spread Further](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ventilation-in-hospitals-could-cause-viruses-to-spread-further/) - Increased use of ventilation and air cleaners, designed to mitigate the spread of viral infections in hospitals, is likely to have unpredictable effects and may cause viral particles to move around more, according to a new study from researchers at University College London (UCL) and UCL Hospital (UCLH). In the study, published in Aerosol Science
- [New Model for the Spread of Infectious Diseases is Developed](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-model-for-the-spread-of-infectious-diseases-is-developed/) - "Your friends have more friends than you do," wrote sociologist Scott Feld in 1991. Feld's so-called friendship paradox states that the friends of any given person have more friends on average than the person themselves. This is based on a simple probability calculation: Well-connected people are more likely to appear in other people's social circles.
- [Study Finds Three New Safe, Effective Ways to Treat Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-three-new-safe-effective-ways-to-treat-drug-resistant-tuberculosis/) - Tuberculosis remains one of the top infectious disease killers worldwide, a challenge amplified by drug-resistant forms of the disease. Now, in a major step forward, an international clinical trial has found three new safe and effective drug regimens for tuberculosis that is resistant to rifampin, the most effective of the first-line antibiotics used to treat
- [Expert Says Kansas TB Outbreak Shows Need for Better Diagnostic Tools](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/expert-says-kansas-tb-outbreak-shows-need-for-better-diagnostic-tools/) - Kansas is experiencing one of the largest tuberculosis outbreaks in U.S. history after 67 cases of active TB were confirmed as of Jan. 24. Researcher Tony Hu, the Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane University School of Medicine, said the outbreak highlights the need for more vigorous public health surveillance for tuberculosis, an
- [Scientists Report on Four Advances for Inactivating Infectious Viruses, Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-report-on-four-advances-for-inactivating-infectious-viruses-bacteria/) - Four papers published in American Chemical Society (ACS) journals provide insights into novel antiviral compounds and methods to inactivate infectious viral particles and bacteria. Antarctic fungus produces anti-RSV compounds Researchers reporting in ACS' Organic Letters found that a fungus from Antarctica, Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis, generates antiviral metabolites. The study identified the structures of four metabolites that
- [What Works ─ and What Doesn’t ─ to Prevent Norovirus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-works-─-and-what-doesnt-─-to-prevent-norovirus/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 97 cases of the highly contagious virus in the U.S. during the week of Jan. 6, double the number as in previous years during early January. The actual number is likely much higher because state and local health departments aren't required to report norovirus cases. Dr.
- [Japan’s “Soft” but Not Ineffective Approach to Public Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/japans-soft-but-not-ineffective-approach-to-public-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - In contrast to the lockdowns imposed in many countries around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japanese authorities issued health advisories and counted on citizens to follow them voluntarily. Now, researchers from Japan have investigated how this approach affected public psychology and health-related behaviors during and after the pandemic. In a study published this
- [White Blood Cell Count Could Predict Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/white-blood-cell-count-could-predict-severity-of-covid-19-symptoms/) - A new study suggests that it may now be easier to predict who is most likely to suffer with more serious disease symptoms based on leukocyte (white blood cell) count. Results of the study are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society. Millions of people worldwide suffer from the ongoing effects
- [Surveyed Americans Favor School Vaccination Requirements but Support for Opt-Out Options is Rising](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surveyed-americans-favor-school-vaccination-requirements-but-support-for-opt-out-options-is-rising/) - A new survey finds that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults support requiring that children be vaccinated against preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. To protect children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, over half of Americans also support states prohibiting other unvaccinated children from attending school, either private or public. However, support
- [T Cells Rise Up to Fight Infections in the Gut](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/t-cells-rise-up-to-fight-infections-in-the-gut/) - Your gut is a battleground. The cells that line your small intestine have to balance two seemingly contradictory jobs: absorbing nutrients from food, while keeping a wary eye out for pathogens trying to invade your body. "This is a surface where pathogens can sneak in," says La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) assistant professor Miguel
- [SARS-CoV-2 Infection Associated With More Severe Disease Outcomes Than Influenza or RSV](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sars-cov-2-infection-associated-with-more-severe-disease-outcomes-than-influenza-or-rsv/) - SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) contribute to many hospitalizations and deaths each year. Understanding relative disease severity can help to inform vaccination guidance. Bajema, et al. (2025) compared disease severity of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV among U.S. veterans. This retrospective cohort study analyzed national U.S. Veterans Health Administration electronic health record data of
- [Short-Course Antibiotics are a Game-Changer for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/short-course-antibiotics-are-a-game-changer-for-ventilator-associated-pneumonia/) - Antibiotic overuse is a key driver in the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health crisis. Researchers from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) and Duke-NUS Medical School have provided compelling evidence that short-course antibiotic treatments can be a game-changer in tackling ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a
- [Antibiotics, Vaccinations and Anti-Inflammatory Medication Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotics-vaccinations-and-anti-inflammatory-medication-linked-to-reduced-dementia-risk/) - New research from the universities of Cambridge and Exeter has examined health data from more than 130 million individuals and identified several drugs already licensed and in use that have the potential to be repurposed to treat dementia. Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and can lead to profound distress in
- [Rotavirus Protein NSP4 Manipulates Gastrointestinal Disease Severity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rotavirus-protein-nsp4-manipulates-gastrointestinal-disease-severity/) - Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions have improved our understanding of how rotavirus, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children, makes people sick. The study published in Science Advances is among the first to show that the rotavirus protein NSP4 is both necessary and sufficient for multiple aspects of rotavirus
- [Scientists Uncover Structure of Critical Component in Deadly Nipah Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-structure-of-critical-component-in-deadly-nipah-virus/) - Scientists at Harvard Medical School and Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have mapped a critical component of the Nipah virus, a highly lethal bat-borne pathogen that has caused outbreaks in humans almost every year since it was identified in 1999. The advance, described Jan. 20 in Cell, brings scientists a step closer
- [The Jan-Feb 2025 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-jan-feb-2025-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - While the 2023 annual National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Progress Report shows decreases in the major HAIs, experts remind healthcare professionals of the importance of not being complacent around upholding patient and personnel safety as we begin 2025. To access the issue, CLICK HERE.
- [Multiple COVID Infections Associated With Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multiple-covid-infections-associated-with-long-covid/) - A new study that identified 475 patients with post-acute sequelae of Covid-19 (PASC), also known as Long Covid, revealed that nearly 85 percent (403) of these patients had multiple Covid-19 infections over the course of a four-year period (March 2020 to February 2024). Additionally, vaccination independently reduced the risk of Long Covid in patients who
- [Know Your Respiratory Virus Enemies This Season](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/know-your-respiratory-virus-enemies-this-season/) - Winter marks the height of the respiratory virus season, a period of sniffles, sneezes, congestion, fever and other maladies brought about primarily by four pathogens: the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the viruses that cause the common cold, COVID-19 and influenza. It's important to know the differences regarding these four seasonal diseases, including their cause,
- [In the Northeast, 50% of Adult Ticks Have Lyme Disease-Carrying Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/in-the-northeast-50-of-adult-ticks-have-lyme-disease-carrying-bacteria/) - Across most of the Northeast, getting bitten by a blacklegged tick- also called a deer tick - is a risk during spring, summer, and fall. A new Dartmouth study, published in Parasites and Vectors, finds that 50% of adult blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease while 20% to 25% of the younger
- [Researchers Find Poor Agreement Between ID Specialists and AI Regarding Recommended Antibiotic Management](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-find-poor-agreement-between-id-specialists-and-ai-regarding-recommended-antibiotic-management/) - Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT®) is a language model tool based on artificial intelligence that could analyze data from antimicrobial susceptibility tests in real time, especially in places where infectious diseases (ID) specialists are not available. Montiel-Romero, et al. (2025) evaluated the agreement between ChatGPT® and ID specialists regarding appropriate antibiotic prescription in simulated cases.
- [Remdesivir Associated With Faster Symptom Resolution after COVID-19 Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/remdesivir-associated-with-faster-symptom-resolution-after-covid-19-infection/) - Post-COVID condition (PCC) is characterized by persisting symptoms after the resolution of acute COVID-19. Remdesivir (RDV), a broad-spectrum antiviral drug, has been widely used in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 requiring oxygen therapy. Fésü, et al. (2025) sought to evaluate the effects of RDV on PCC by assessing patient-reported and functional outcomes. The researchers used the
- [Investigators Identify Factors Associated With MDRO-Related Mortality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-identify-factors-associated-with-mdro-related-mortality/) - Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue, with the World Health Organization identifying it as one of the greatest threats to public health, with an estimated 4.95 million deaths linked to bacterial AMR in 2019. The study by Ezat, et al. (2025) aimed to determine the prevalence of mortality among multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO)-infected patients in state
- [Screening Sites for Detection of Carbapenemase-Producers are Evaluated by Researchers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/screening-sites-for-detection-of-carbapenemase-producers-are-evaluated-by-researchers/) - While screening the rectal site and urine may be appropriate for detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, respiratory samples, throat and wound swabs may increase the sensitivity of screening protocols when aiming to detect colonization with carbapenemase-producing non-fermenting bacteria. Vock, et al. (2024) say their findings support the need for tailoring screening recommendations according to the bacterial
- [Changes in Microbiome Predict Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/changes-in-microbiome-predict-risk-for-sexually-transmitted-diseases/) - Women who develop bacterial vaginosis (BV) often later acquire chlamydia, a common and potentially serious sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Now, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have found that BV actually consists of two subtypes-one of which significantly increases the
- [Study Identifies Ventilation Strategies to Prevent Super-Spreader Events Aboard Cruise Ships](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-identifies-ventilation-strategies-to-prevent-super-spreader-events-aboard-cruise-ships/) - Cruise ships became known as coronavirus hotspots during the pandemic, causing most liners to suspend operations for months on end. To help the industry build resilience against any future health threats, new research from the University of Surrey emphasizes the importance of targeted ventilation strategies to reduce onboard disease transmission risk, with crowded dining spaces
- [Bacterial Survival Genes Uncovered Using Evolutionary Map](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bacterial-survival-genes-uncovered-using-evolutionary-map/) - The most detailed study to date on the mechanisms by which a common type of bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, adapts to living on the human body could help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain infections. The study, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge, the Institute of Biomedicine of Valencia (IBV) at
- [Study Finds Cases of ME/CFS Increase Following SARS-CoV-2](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-cases-of-me-cfs-increase-following-sars-cov-2/) - New findings from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative suggest that infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may be associated with an increase in the number of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) cases. According to the results, 4.5% post-COVID-19 participants met ME/CFS diagnostic criteria, compared to
- [Researchers to Explore How Copper Kills Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-to-explore-how-copper-kills-bacteria/) - A researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson has received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue his research into uncovering the mysteries of copper - specifically, how it can be harnessed to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. "We started using copper tens of thousands
- [Dangerous Bacterial Biofilms Have a Natural Enemy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/dangerous-bacterial-biofilms-have-a-natural-enemy/) - In medical settings, biofilms make infections harder to treat when they form protective shields for bacteria on devices like catheters and implants. UC Riverside scientists have discovered a chemical that plants produce when they're stressed prevents biofilm from forming. The breakthrough offers potential advances in healthcare as well as preventing equipment corrosion in industrial settings.
- [Using AI to Uncover Hospital Patients’ Long-COVID Care Needs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/using-ai-to-uncover-hospital-patients-long-covid-care-needs/) - Across the United States, no hospital is the same; equipment, staffing, technical capabilities, and patient populations can all differ. So, while the profiles developed for people with common conditions may seem universal, the reality is that there are nuances that require individual attention, both in the make-up of the patients being seen and the situations
- [Significantly Shorter Treatment Regimens for Tuberculosis in Children and Adults Now Recommended](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/significantly-shorter-treatment-regimens-for-tuberculosis-in-children-and-adults-now-recommended/) - Tuberculosis remains a public health crisis. The World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report released in November 2024 painted a sobering picture; approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, the highest number since the organization began global TB monitoring in 1995. A major challenge in tuberculosis treatment has been the long duration
- [Countering the Next Phase of Anti-Vaccine Activism](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/countering-the-next-phase-of-anti-vaccine-activism/) - In a recent essay, pediatrician-scientist Peter Hotez proposes a focus on local data, improved benefit-risk communications, actively countering health disinformation, and state-level action to address antivaccine sentiment in the U.S. Anti-vaccine sentiment isn't going away any time soon, some experts say. In a new opinion article published January 8 in the open-access journal PLOS Global
- [PCT Blood Test Does Not Reduce Antibiotic Treatment Duration for Hospitalized Children, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pct-blood-test-does-not-reduce-antibiotic-treatment-duration-for-hospitalized-children-study-shows/) - A groundbreaking UK study led by the University of Liverpool has examined whether an additional blood test called procalcitonin (PCT) could safely shorten the time children spend on intravenous (IV) antibiotics in hospitals. Despite promising previous analysis, the study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), found that using the PCT
- [Scientists to Study the Human Virome Puzzle](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-to-study-the-human-virome-puzzle/) - For more than a decade, scientists have studied the microbiome, the environment of microorganisms that live on and in the body, and how it affects health and disease. Much less is known about a part of the microbiome called the virome, the universe of viruses residing within our bodies. Now, researchers at the Perelman School
- [Pet Dogs Often Overlooked as Spreader of Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pet-dogs-often-overlooked-as-spreader-of-antimicrobial-resistant-salmonella/) - Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals - typically via unintentional contact with feces via
- [Self-Destructing Vaccine Offers Enhanced Protection Against TB in Primate Model](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/self-destructing-vaccine-offers-enhanced-protection-against-tb-in-primate-model/) - A self-destructing vaccine administered intravenously provides additional safety and protection against tuberculosis (TB) in macaque monkeys, suggests new University of Pittsburgh research published in Nature Microbiology. The in-built safety mechanisms circumvent the possibility of an accidental self-infection with weakened mycobacteria, offering a safe and effective way to combat the disease that was named as the
- [Automated Surveillance for SSIs in Hospitals and Surveillance Networks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/automated-surveillance-for-ssis-in-hospitals-and-surveillance-networks/) - This work by Denkel, et al. (2024) aims to provide practical recommendations for implementing automated surveillance (AS) of surgical site infections (SSI) in hospitals and surveillance networks. It also provides an overview of the steps, choices, and obstacles that need to be taken into consideration when implementing such surveillance. Hands-on experience with existing automated surveillance
- [Screening Sites for Detection of Carbapenemase-Producers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/screening-sites-for-detection-of-carbapenemase-producers/) - While screening the rectal site and urine may be appropriate for detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, respiratory samples, throat and wound swabs may increase the sensitivity of screening protocols when aiming to detect colonization with carbapenemase-producing non-fermenting bacteria. Vock, et al. (2025) say the results of their study support the need for tailoring screening recommendations according
- [Herpes Virus Might Drive Alzheimer's Pathology, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/herpes-virus-might-drive-alzheimers-pathology-study-suggests/) - University of Pittsburgh researchers have uncovered a surprising link between Alzheimer's disease and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), suggesting that viral infections may play a role in the disease. The study results are published today in Cell Reports. The study also revealed how tau protein, often viewed as harmful in Alzheimer's, might initially protect the brain
- [Blood Test Can Predict How Long Vaccine Immunity Will Last](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/blood-test-can-predict-how-long-vaccine-immunity-will-last/) - When children receive their second measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, around the time they start kindergarten, they gain protection against all three viruses for all or most of their lives. Yet the effectiveness of an influenza vaccine given in October starts to wane by the following spring. Scientists have long been stymied by why some vaccines can coax
- [T Cells May Offer Some Protection in an H5N1 ‘Spillover’ Scenario](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/t-cells-may-offer-some-protection-in-an-h5n1-spillover-scenario/) - New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many people already have immune cells on "stand by" to fight the H5N1 virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. The H5N1 "bird flu" virus emerged in 2022 and has spread widely in animal populations, including poultry and cattle. According
- [From Outbreak to Vaccine: Artificial Intelligence's Contribution to Pandemic Preparedness](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/from-outbreak-to-vaccine-artificial-intelligences-contribution-to-pandemic-preparedness/) - A recent article published in Molecular Biomedicine by researchers at Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research explores the multifaceted role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pandemic preparedness and response. The team, comprising Dr. Praveen Kumar, undergraduate contributors Mayur Gawande, Nikita Zade and Induni Nayodhara Weerarathna, and faculty members Dr. Swapnil Gundewar and Dr.
- [Modeling Tool Affirms Critical Role of Testing in Pandemic Response](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/modeling-tool-affirms-critical-role-of-testing-in-pandemic-response/) - The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial testing is for disease preparedness and response, and new research from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and a team of collaborators underscores that principle. Published in the Jan. 2 edition of The Lancet Public Health, the research included simulation and analysis that suggests public-private partnerships to develop,
- [NIH Officials Assess H5N1 Threat](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-officials-assess-h5n1-threat/) - Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A virus (HPAI H5N1) remains a low risk to the general public, and public health experts in the United States believe that available treatments and vaccines, as well as those in development, are sufficient to prevent severe disease. However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its federal partners remain
- [Only About 1 in 5 Healthcare Integrations Leads to Improved Value of Care Delivery](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/only-about-1-in-5-healthcare-integrations-leads-to-improved-value-of-care-delivery/) - Mergers and acquisitions of U.S. hospitals and health systems rarely improve the quality of care delivered or result in lower healthcare costs and prices, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). The study, a systematic review of hundreds of published studies, comes amid accelerating healthcare integration, sometimes
- [Study Traces Ebola's Route to the Skin Surface](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-traces-ebolas-route-to-the-skin-surface/) - Ebola is a deadly hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus that is endemic in parts of East-Central and West Africa. Most people are aware that a primary route for person-to-person transmission is through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person. But more recent outbreaks, including the 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, demonstrated that
- [The FC428 Clone: Tracking Global Transmission of Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-fc428-clone-tracking-global-transmission-of-drug-resistant-gonorrhea/) - Neisseria gonorrhoeae, responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is becoming increasingly difficult to treat as the pathogen has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics. Historically, ceftriaxone has been the last line of defense, effectively treating both urogenital and pharyngeal infections. However, emerging high-level ceftriaxone-resistant strains, particularly those associated with the FC428 clone, threaten to render
- [Immunocompromised People May Not Produce Enough Protective Antibodies Against RSV After Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/immunocompromised-people-may-not-produce-enough-protective-antibodies-against-rsv-after-vaccination/) - Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity - primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders - do not respond as strongly to vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as people in the same
- [Researchers Explore the Environmental Impact and Sustainability of Infection Control Practices](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-the-environmental-impact-and-sustainability-of-infection-control-practices/) - Infection prevention and control (IP&C) programs form the basis of minimizing spread of pathogens in the healthcare setting and beyond. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the demand for IP&C; however, the environmental impact of IP&C practices has yet to be addressed and attempts to quantify its climate implications have been sparse, say Lim, et al. (2024).
- [Adoption of “Hospital-at-Home” Programs Remains Concentrated Among Larger, Urban, Not-for-Profit and Academic Centers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/adoption-of-hospital-at-home-programs-remains-concentrated-among-larger-urban-not-for-profit-and-academic-centers/) - Hospitals that have adopted the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) "hospital-at-home" program, which serves as an alternative to admission to brick-and-mortar facilities, are concentrated in large, urban, not-for-profit, and academic hospitals, new research suggests. The findings are among the first to portray the landscape of hospitals participating in this rapidly growing care model, said
- [Public Shows Greater Acceptance of RSV Vaccine, as Hesitancy Appears to Have Plateaued](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/public-shows-greater-acceptance-of-rsv-vaccine-as-hesitancy-appears-to-have-plateaued/) - A year after becoming available, vaccines to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in newborns and older adults are being more widely accepted by the American public, according to a new Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) health survey conducted in November 2024. Over half of U.S. adults (52%) think the vaccine given to pregnant individuals
- [Cultural Differences Account for Varied Responses to COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cultural-differences-account-for-varied-responses-to-covid-19/) - Hello Kitty has eyes but no mouth. The unique anatomy of the world-famous Japanese cartoon girl, who appears to be a cat, reflects an important aspect of her nation's cultural norms-she doesn't need a mouth because in Japan, it is more important to read the feelings of others than to broadcast your own. This tendency
- [Prosthetic Material Could Help Reduce Infections From Intravenous Catheters](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/prosthetic-material-could-help-reduce-infections-from-intravenous-catheters/) - Prosthetic materials, often constructed from materials like silicone rubbers, may have now found an unexpected yet beneficial biomedical engineering application, according to a new study from Texas A&M University. Published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers have created realistic, skin-like replicas made of Ecoflex, a type of silicone rubber that can potentially serve as a
- [CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-confirms-first-severe-case-of-h5n1-bird-flu-in-u-s/) - A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ("H5N1 bird flu") infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on December 13. Since April 2024,
- [Mathematical Insights Pinpoint Lessons on Airborne Viral Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mathematical-insights-pinpoint-lessons-on-airborne-viral-transmission/) - To better understand the dynamics of airborne transmission and inform future preparations for pandemics, Dr Richard Sear, associate professor at University of Surrey's School of Mathematics and Physics, explored how the virus spreads during contact and the role of protective measures in reducing risk. Sear said, "I've tried to measure how effective strategies, such as
- [Seasonal Flu Vaccine Study Reveals Host Genetics’ Role in Vaccine Response, Informs Way to Improve Vaccine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/seasonal-flu-vaccine-study-reveals-host-genetics-role-in-vaccine-response-informs-way-to-improve-vaccine/) - Most people who get the seasonal influenza vaccine - which contains strains of viruses from distinct virus subtypes - mount a strong immune response to one strain, leaving them vulnerable to infection by the others, and researchers have long wondered what impacts such variable responses more - host genetics or prior exposure to virus strains.
- [Long COVID-19 is Costing Americans Money](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-covid-19-is-costing-americans-money/) - The COVID-19 pandemic panic that characterized the early 2020s may be gone. But the SARS-CoV-2 virus is continuing to wreak havoc on some Americans' finances, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. The researchers found that long COVID-19 is making it harder for people to pay their bills, buy groceries and keep
- [Staphylococcus Aureus Thwarts Vaccines by Turning on a Protein That Halts Immune Response](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/staphylococcus-aureus-thwarts-vaccines-by-turning-on-a-protein-that-halts-immune-response/) - Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections that can sometimes lead to sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. The microbe poses a significant threat to public health, made worse by the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA) in recent years. According to The Lancet, S. aureus was associated
- [Hospitals Can Reduce the Number of Hand Hygiene Observations Without Affecting Data Quality, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospitals-can-reduce-the-number-of-hand-hygiene-observations-without-affecting-data-quality-study-suggests/) - Hand hygiene (HH) monitoring in hospitals could be reduced significantly, allowing infection preventionists to redirect efforts toward quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study's findings suggest that hospitals could reduce the number of HH observations from 200 to as few as
- [Potentially Harmful Bacteria Slip Through Antimicrobial Showerheads](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/potentially-harmful-bacteria-slip-through-antimicrobial-showerheads/) - To guard against harmful waterborne pathogens, many consumers, including managers of health-care facilities, install antimicrobial silver-containing showerheads. But in the American Chemical Society's publication ES&T Water, researchers now report that these fixtures are no "silver bullet." In real-world showering conditions, most microbes aren't exposed to the silver long enough to be killed. However, the composition
- [APIC and AAPACN Release New Infection Prevention Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-and-aapacn-release-new-infection-prevention-resources-for-long-term-care-facilities/) - The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in collaboration with the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN), has released a practice guidance tool and resource guide to help healthcare personnel in skilled long-term care facilities implement enhanced barrier precautions (EBP). In March 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- [Study Highlights Efficiency in Detecting Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-highlights-efficiency-in-detecting-infectious-diseases/) - In an effort to make large-scale disease testing faster and more affordable, researchers have developed an optimized approach to pooled testing, which could transform public health screening for infectious diseases. Researchers Dr. Md S. Warasi, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics at Radford University in Virginia and Dr. Kumer P. Das, assistant vice president for
- [Scientists Identify Amino Acids That Prevent Sporulation in Food Poisoning](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-identify-amino-acids-that-prevent-sporulation-in-food-poisoning/) - Food poisoning is a common yet unpleasant illness caused by eating contaminated items. It is sometimes caused by Clostridium perfringens, a pathogen widely found in soil and the intestinal tracts of animals. The pathogen multiplies in environments with little oxygen, for example, curry stored in a pot. After ingestion of the pathogen, they form spores
- [Seasonal and Pandemic Flu Strains Affect the Immune System's Interferon Response Differently](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/seasonal-and-pandemic-flu-strains-affect-the-immune-systems-interferon-response-differently/) - Seasonal and pandemic strains of flu virus differentially affect the human immune system's interferon response, according to new single cell study. As Rivera-Cardona, et al. (2024) report, "Successful replication and transmission of influenza A viruses (IAVs) requires effective subversion of the innate immune response. We developed a new single cell method to examine the interferon
- [Electronic Sepsis Screening Resulted in Significantly Lower In-Hospital 90-Day Mortality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/electronic-sepsis-screening-resulted-in-significantly-lower-in-hospital-90-day-mortality/) - Sepsis screening is recommended among hospitalized patients but is supported by limited evidence of effectiveness. Arabi, et al. (2024) sought to evaluate the effect of electronic sepsis screening, compared with no screening, on mortality among hospitalized ward patients. In a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial at five hospitals in Saudi Arabia, 45 wards (clusters) were randomized
- [Study Uses Game Theory to Rethink Pandemic Responses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-uses-game-theory-to-rethink-pandemic-responses/) - With flu season upon us and coronavirus a persistent threat, Dartmouth researchers propose a new way of thinking about masking and social distancing rules that is more responsive to what people feel is necessary at a given time-and may help increase cooperation. Based on game theory, the study breaks from the existing science by considering
- [Lessons Learned From COVID-19: Improving Protection Through Early Response, Rapid Tracking and Impact Monitoring](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lessons-learned-from-covid-19-improving-protection-through-early-response-rapid-tracking-and-impact-monitoring/) - Scientific experts from 13 Western European countries have recently completed a review of key lessons learned from the way the COVID-19 pandemic was handled. Two key findings have emerged. Firstly, death rates were lower in countries that took measures early. Secondly, the need for a surveillance system capable of quickly tracking the community spread of
- [Laws on Healthcare Worker Rights Align With Global Standards but There is Room for Improvement](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/laws-on-healthcare-worker-rights-align-with-global-standards-but-there-is-room-for-improvement/) - More than half of laws and policies on healthcare workers' rights align with international standards, according to a study published Dec. 9, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS Global Public Health by Matthew Kavanagh from Georgetown University, U.S., James Campbell from the World Health Organization, and colleagues. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, healthcare workers were
- [Researchers to Develop a Chip to Measure Immunity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-to-develop-a-chip-to-measure-immunity/) - Every winter, influenza returns with a new variant. People who have previously been infected with or vaccinated against flu may have some protection, but this depends on how well their immune system's "memory" of the previous virus or vaccine cross-reacts with the new variant. At present, there is no good way to measure this. A
- [Cleaning Surfaces Every Two Hours Cuts Norovirus Infection Risk by 83% in Airports](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cleaning-surfaces-every-two-hours-cuts-norovirus-infection-risk-by-83-in-airports/) - At airports, frequently disinfecting surfaces, mask-wearing and antimicrobial surface coatings can all help prevent the spread of norovirus, according to a new study by Nan Zhang of the Beijing University of Technology in Beijing and colleagues, published Dec. 5, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology. Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus that
- [Single Mutation in H5N1 Influenza Surface Protein Could Enable Easier Human Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/single-mutation-in-h5n1-influenza-surface-protein-could-enable-easier-human-infection/) - A single modification in the protein found on the surface of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 influenza virus currently circulating in U.S. dairy cows could allow for easier transmission among humans, according to new research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published today in the journal Science. The study results
- [Latrine Findings Help Researcher Trace the Movement of People and Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/latrine-findings-help-researcher-trace-the-movement-of-people-and-disease/) - A McMaster University researcher has uncovered evidence of intestinal parasites in a 500-year-old latrine from Bruges, Belgium, and while the finding may induce queasiness in some, it is expected to provide important scientific evidence on how infectious diseases once spread through travel and trade. The findings, which have been published in the journal Parasitology, present
- [Online Healthcare Reviews Turned Negative Following COVID Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/online-healthcare-reviews-turned-negative-following-covid-pandemic/) - After the COVID-19 pandemic struck, online reviews of healthcare facilities dropped significantly, and they have not yet fully recovered, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. More than half of reviews on the online platform, Yelp, now are negative, flipping the pre-COVID picture.
- [The December 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-december-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - While it can take as many as 17 years for research to be accepted and implemented, it is essential for the infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology community to have a relevant, timely and forward-thinking roadmap to follow as clinical knowledge evolves and is applied at the bedside. An updated research agenda which addresses the evolving
- [Preparing for The Worst: Healthcare Can Check Readiness for Bird Flu Spread](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/preparing-for-the-worst-healthcare-can-check-readiness-for-bird-flu-spread/) - Healthcare facilities are encouraged to prepare now for a possible bird flu outbreak, adopting measures to protect patients, staff, and the public, according to a commentary by infectious disease experts published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. While the risk from bird flu to humans
- [Study Reveals Timing Matters for COVID-19 Boosters](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-timing-matters-for-covid-19-boosters/) - Timing COVID-19 booster shots correctly could greatly enhance their effectiveness, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Yale School of Public Health. Their results show that the optimal schedule for administration of a COVID-19 booster vary significantly depending on one's geographic location and past
- [AI Tops 2025 Health Technology Hazards List](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-tops-2025-health-technology-hazards-list/) - Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare applications tops ECRI's 2025 report on the most significant health technology hazards. ECRI, a global healthcare safety nonprofit organization, cautions that while AI has the potential to improve efficiency and outcomes, it poses significant risks to patients if not properly assessed and managed. AI has expanded from its early applications
- [Increase in Upcoding Associated With Billions in Annual Payments to Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/increase-in-upcoding-associated-with-billions-in-annual-payments-to-hospitals/) - In five states over nearly a decade, hospitals have increased how frequently they document patients as needing the highest intensity care, which has led to hospitals receiving billions in extra payments from health plans and government programs, according to a new RAND study. Among thousands of cases involving hospitals stays for 239 conditions, researchers examined
- [APIC Publishes Strategies for Demonstrating Infection Preventionist Competency](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-publishes-strategies-for-demonstrating-infection-preventionist-competency/) - Continual competency assessment, documentation, and advancement should be conducted throughout an infection preventionist (IP)'s career, according to a commentary article published in the American Journal of Infection Control. Developed by APIC's Professional Development Committee, the article, "A Framework for Defining and Documenting Infection Preventionist Competency," provides strategies for developing and detailing competency within the IP
- [Who Should Contribute to Decisions About Healthcare Space Design?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/who-should-contribute-to-decisions-about-healthcare-space-design/) - Construction of a hospital involves many decisions that are akin to plan-of-care decisions and have myriad effects on patients, families and staff. Rather than being based on the interests of a single person, a hospital's design and construction should result in a facility that serves the community in which that hospital is situated. A new
- [Study Details Surprising Biological Mechanisms Underlying Severe COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-details-surprising-biological-mechanisms-underlying-severe-covid-19/) - Severe COVID-19 arises in part from the SARS-CoV-2 virus's impact on mitochondria, tiny oxygen-burning power plants in cells, which can help trigger a cascade of organ- and immune system-damaging events, suggests a study by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, along
- [Pregnancy Enhances Natural Immunity to Block Severe Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pregnancy-enhances-natural-immunity-to-block-severe-flu/) - McGill University scientists have discovered that pregnancy may trigger a natural immunity to boost protection against severe flu infection. Contrary to the common belief that pregnancy increases vulnerability to infections, researchers found that it strengthened an immune defense in mice, blocking the Influenza A virus from spreading to the lungs, where it can cause severe
- [Publishing Updated Guidelines for AMR Alone is Insufficient to Change Clinical Practice, Researchers Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/publishing-updated-guidelines-for-amr-alone-is-insufficient-to-change-clinical-practice-researchers-say/) - Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat with millions of deaths annually attributable to bacterial resistance. Effective antimicrobial stewardship programs are crucial for optimizing antibiotic use. This study by Markussen, et al. (2024) aims to identify factors contributing to deviations from antibiotic treatment guidelines in hospitalized adults with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The researchers
- [Universal Contact Precautions, CHG Bathing Did Not Impact CRE Acquisition in the ICU, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/universal-contact-precautions-chg-bathing-did-not-impact-cre-acquisition-in-the-icu-study-finds/) - For the prevention of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) acquisition in the intensive care unit (ICU), the effectiveness of universal contact precautions (UCP) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing is controversial, say Jung, et al. (2024) who evaluated the effectiveness of UCP and CHG on CRE acquisition, this study was conducted in an ICU at a university-affiliated hospital
- [Enhanced Cleaning Decreases Bacterial Counts on High-Touch Surfaces in the ICU, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/enhanced-cleaning-decreases-bacterial-counts-on-high-touch-surfaces-in-the-icu-study-shows/) - Contaminated environmental surfaces play an important role in the transmission of pathogens that cause healthcare acquired infection (HAI). A study by Hamed, et al. (2024) aimed to assess the effect of enhanced cleaning techniques on bacterial contamination in high-touch areas compared to routine cleaning at the intensive care units (ICU) of the neurosurgery department of
- [New Research Shows Younger and Middle-Aged Adults Have Worse Long COVID Symptoms Than Older Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-research-shows-younger-and-middle-aged-adults-have-worse-long-covid-symptoms-than-older-adults/) - Since older adults have been more severely affected by acute COVID-19, researchers have hypothesized that older adults may have worse long COVID symptoms as well. But according to new research published in the Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association, Northwestern Medicine researchers found on an average of 10 months after COVID-19
- [Expanding HPV Vaccination to All Adults Aged 27-45 Years Unlikely to Be Cost-Effective or Efficient for HPV-Related Cancer Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/expanding-hpv-vaccination-to-all-adults-aged-27-45-years-unlikely-to-be-cost-effective-or-efficient-for-hpv-related-cancer-prevention/) - A modeling study projected that HPV vaccination programs for adults aged 27 to 45 years could benefit subgroups at higher risk for HPV, but overall, the approach is more costly and less effective than vaccinating younger people. According to authors, this is the first study to examine the cost-effectiveness and HPV-related cancer prevention of vaccinating
- [A New Approach to Predicting Malaria Drug Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/a-new-approach-to-predicting-malaria-drug-resistance/) - Researchers at University of California San Diego analyzed the genomes of hundreds of malaria parasites to determine which genetic variants are most likely to confer drug resistance. The findings, published in Science, could help scientists use machine learning to predict antimalarial drug resistance and more effectively prioritize the most promising experimental treatments for further development.
- [How HIV Research Reshaped Modern Medicine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-hiv-research-reshaped-modern-medicine/) - In 1981, fresh out of medical school, physician-scientist Bruce Walker began his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. One day, a young patient showed up with an unusual cluster of infections and cancers. Baffled and powerless to treat him, Walker and his colleagues could only watch as the patient quickly succumbed to the mysterious condition. "I
- [Study Examines Advantages of Podcasts for Sharing Information on Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-examines-advantages-of-podcasts-for-sharing-information-on-infectious-diseases/) - With legacy media cutting staff in the face of unprecedented financial challenges and critical science and health information scattered among unfamiliar digital platforms, how can people keep up with medical issues that might affect them? Researchers in the Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine in the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of
- [Researchers Examine Testing, Masking Related to Incidence of Respiratory Illnesses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-testing-masking-related-to-incidence-of-respiratory-illnesses/) - Most hospitals have stopped testing all patients for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission and requiring masking. Ten hospitals in the Mass General Brigham hospital system ended both these precautions simultaneously in May 2023 but restarted masking for healthcare workers in January 2024 during a winter respiratory viral surge. Pak, et al. (2024) characterized the association of these
- [Low Vaccination Against COVID-19, Flu, and RSV in Nursing Homes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/low-vaccination-against-covid-19-flu-and-rsv-in-nursing-homes/) - In this week's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers say that as of Nov. 10, 2024, about 3 in 10 (30%) nursing home residents received a 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Among residents at facilities that elected to report, more than half (58%) of residents received a flu vaccine
- [Using Artificial Intelligence to Treat Infections More Accurately](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/using-artificial-intelligence-to-treat-infections-more-accurately/) - New research from the Centers for Antimicrobial Optimization Network (CAMO-Net) at the University of Liverpool has shown that using artificial intelligence (AI) can improve how clinicians treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), and help to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and no longer respond to treatments that were
- [How School Eligibility Influences the Spread of Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-school-eligibility-influences-the-spread-of-infectious-diseases/) - A recent study in JAMA Network Open sheds light on how school attendance influences the spread of infectious diseases, using COVID-19 as a case study. Researchers analyzed the natural age cutoff for kindergarten eligibility in California to compare COVID-19 rates between children old enough to start school and those who were not. This approach, called
- [Researchers Identify an Innovative Antibiotic for Drug-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-an-innovative-antibiotic-for-drug-resistant-bacteria/) - Antibacterial drugs are important for treating infections. But increasingly, bacterial resistance to current drugs - so they don't work well, or even at all - means new ones are urgently needed. Building on previous work, researchers publishing in ACS Infectious Diseases have demonstrated a potential antibacterial treatment from a modified darobactin, a compound originally from
- [1 in 20 Adults Experienced Hospitalization Within 28 Days Following Outpatient Diagnosis of RSV](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/1-in-20-adults-experienced-hospitalization-within-28-days-following-outpatient-diagnosis-of-rsv/) - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections among adults and is estimated to cause approximately 159,000 hospitalizations among adults aged 65 years and older in the U.S. each year. Estimates of hospitalization among adults with outpatient medically attended RSV (MA-RSV) infections are required to design interventional studies that aim
- [Scientists Develop Culturing System to Unlock Secrets of Skin Microbiome](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-culturing-system-to-unlock-secrets-of-skin-microbiome/) - The human skin is home to a wide variety of bacteria. The composition of the community of bacteria-called the "skin microbiota"-has serious implications for skin health. A healthy balance between different species of bacteria on the skin often translates to healthy skin. The loss of this balanced skin microbiota can lead to diseases such as
- [Stopping Severe Malaria by Harnessing Natural Human Antibodies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/stopping-severe-malaria-by-harnessing-natural-human-antibodies/) - Malaria, particularly in its severe forms, remains a global health and economic burden. It causes the deaths of more than 600,000 people every year - most of them African children under age 5. In a new study, published in the journal Nature, researchers from European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, the University of Texas, the
- [Why the Bird Flu’s Jump to Pigs is Concerning](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/why-the-bird-flus-jump-to-pigs-is-concerning/) - The first reported U.S. case of H5N1 influenza, or bird flu, in a pig was reported in Oregon on Oct. 30, 2024. In this Q&A, Michigan Medicine virologist Adam Lauring, MD, PhD, addresses the implications of this case and whether a new pandemic could be on the horizon. How did the current H5N1 bird flu
- [Study Identifies Strategy for AI Cost-Efficiency in Healthcare Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-identifies-strategy-for-ai-cost-efficiency-in-healthcare-settings/) - A study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has identified strategies for using large language models (LLMs), a type of artificial intelligence (AI), in health systems while maintaining cost efficiency and performance. The findings, published in the November 18 online issue of npj Digital Medicine, provide insights into how health
- [Scientists Report New Nasal Vaccine Shows Promise in Curbing Whooping Cough Spread](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-report-new-nasal-vaccine-shows-promise-in-curbing-whooping-cough-spread/) - As whooping cough cases rise in the U.S., a new nasal vaccine developed by Tulane University may hold the key to reducing the spread of the highly contagious respiratory disease. Current pertussis vaccines are widely used and effective at preventing whooping cough, caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria. However, the vaccines fail to clear bacteria
- [New Roles in Infectious Process for Molecule That Inhibits Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-roles-in-infectious-process-for-molecule-that-inhibits-flu/) - Researchers have identified new roles for a protein long known to protect against severe flu infection - among them, raising the minimum number of viral particles needed to cause sickness. The protein also helps prevent unfamiliar viruses from mutating after they infect a new host, the study found - meaning its absence during an immune
- [Researchers Explore Lessons Related to Barriers to Environmental Cleaning Implementation](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-lessons-related-to-barriers-to-environmental-cleaning-implementation/) - In recent years, there has been increased attention on the importance of healthcare environmental cleaning, including the need to professionalize and support the workforce responsible for performing cleaning, say Patrick, et al. (2024), who add that global agendas and strategies on infection prevention and control (IP&C) and water, sanitation and hygiene highlight the need for
- [WHO’s Core Components May Reduce HAIs Among Nursing Home Residents](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/whos-core-components-may-reduce-hais-among-nursing-home-residents/) - Nursing homes (NHs) are high-risk facilities with limited infection control resources and residents susceptible to infectious diseases. The evidence regarding World Health Organization (WHO) core components in NHs is lacking. This study by Lee, et al. (2024) evaluates the effectiveness of establishing an infection prevention and control (IP&C) program with WHO's core components in an
- [Sink Hygiene in the ICU Can Mitigate Risk of Infection, Researchers Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sink-hygiene-in-the-icu-can-mitigate-risk-of-infection-researchers-say/) - Sinks have been introduced near patients to improve hand hygiene as part of infection prevention and control measures, say Fucina, et al. (2024), who add that sinks are a known reservoir for Gram-negative bacterial pathogens in particular and their removal to prevent bacterial infections in intensive care patients is currently recommended by several international guidelines.
- [Antibacterial Material Restores the Efficacy of Antibiotics Against Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibacterial-material-restores-the-efficacy-of-antibiotics-against-resistant-bacteria/) - Research from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, shows that resistant bacteria can regain susceptibility to antibiotics when the treatment is combined with a material equipped with antibacterial peptides. The study, performed in a laboratory environment, shows that antibiotics can achieve a 64-fold increase in bactericidal effect when used together with the material, whose antibacterial properties
- [New Insights on Understanding Neonatal Infectious Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-insights-on-understanding-neonatal-infectious-diseases-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/) - Researchers from Peking University have conducted an in-depth study on the epidemic status, secular trends, and risk factors of 15 common neonatal infectious diseases across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 1990 to 2019. The study, published in Health Data Science, provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in incidence and mortality rates, identifying key
- [Scientists Develop Optical Biosensor That Rapidly Detects Monkeypox Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-optical-biosensor-that-rapidly-detects-monkeypox-virus/) - A new variant of human mpox has claimed the lives of approximately 5% of people with reported infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2023, many of them children. Since then, it has spread to several other countries. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on
- [Researchers Uncover Achilles Heel of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-uncover-achilles-heel-of-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/) - Recent estimates indicate that deadly antibiotic-resistant infections will rapidly escalate over the next quarter century. More than 1 million people died from drug-resistant infections each year from 1990 to 2021, a recent study reported, with new projections surging to nearly 2 million deaths each year by 2050. In an effort to counteract this public health
- [Study Challenges Assumptions About How TB Bacteria Grow](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-challenges-assumptions-about-how-tb-bacteria-grow/) - The rod-shaped tuberculosis (TB) bacterium, which the World Health Organization has once again ranked as the top infectious disease killer globally, is the first single-celled organism ever observed to maintain a consistent growth rate throughout its life cycle. These findings, reported by Tufts University School of Medicine researchers on November 15 in the journal Nature
- [Study Shows How Salmonella Tricks Gut Defenses to Cause Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-how-salmonella-tricks-gut-defenses-to-cause-infection/) - A new UC Davis Health study has uncovered how Salmonella bacteria, a major cause of food poisoning, can invade the gut even when protective bacteria are present. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explains how the pathogen tricks the gut environment to escape the body's natural defenses. The digestive
- [Outsmarting Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/outsmarting-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs/) - Gram-negative bacteria pose a serious threat to global health because they can resist multiple antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat, according to the National Institutes of Health. In response, the NIH has awarded $3.96 million to Vincent Tam, professor of pharmacy practice and translational research at the University of Houston (UH) College of Pharmacy, to
- [Researchers Develop Chlamydia Vaccine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-develop-chlamydia-vaccine/) - Researchers at the Uniformed Services University (USU) have developed a killed, whole-cell vaccine that is highly effective against chlamydia infections. In this peer-reviewed advanced online publication published Nov. 11, 2024 in npj Vaccines, study leads Dr. George Liechti and Dr. Ann Jerse, professors in USU's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Dr. Michael Daly, professor
- [Book Details Nurses' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/book-details-nurses-experiences-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - A new book, Nurses' Extraordinary Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: There was Something in the Air, offers a poignant and firsthand account of the challenges and triumphs faced by nurses during the most devastating pandemic of our generation. Co-authored by Penn Nursing's Pamela Z. Cacchione, PhD, CRNP, BC, FGSA, FAAN, the Ralston Professor of Geropsychiatric
- [CDC Data Suggest the STI Epidemic May be Slowing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-data-suggest-the-sti-epidemic-may-be-slowing/) - The number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains high in the United States, with more than 2.4 million reported in 2023. However, the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show signs the epidemic could be slowing. In 2023: • Gonorrhea cases dropped for a second year-declining 7% from 2022 and
- [Scientists Using Nanotechnology to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-using-nanotechnology-to-combat-antibiotic-resistant-infections/) - West Virginia University researchers are working to potentially reduce the growing rate of antibiotic-resistant infections in open bone fractures by employing nanotechnology to bolster a centuries-old treatment. More than 150,000 people in the United States suffer open bone fractures every year. About 10% of them will develop an infection which can lead to reduced limb
- [Antibody Composition Shapes Flu Severity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibody-composition-shapes-flu-severity/) - Viruses are the fastest-evolving biological entity on earth. This fact explains why we need flu shots every year: Seasonal influenza perennially outwits the immunity we've acquired from previous vaccinations or infections. Some new strains are rougher than others. The 1918 flu pandemic killed 50 million people and infected one-fifth of the world's population. Influenza pandemics
- [Harassment, Incivility, Disrespect in the Workplace Contributes to Anesthesia Workforce Shortage, Compromises Patient Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/harassment-incivility-disrespect-in-the-workplace-contributes-to-anesthesia-workforce-shortage-compromises-patient-safety/) - With the pervasiveness of harassment, incivility, and disrespect (HID) among healthcare professionals in the workplace impacting clinician well-being, patient health, and disproportionately affecting anesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is providing new recommendations to help eradicate these behaviors in the operating room and hospitals. "There is no place for harassment, incivility or disrespect of
- [Researchers Reveal Why a Key TB Drug Works Against Resistant Strains](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-reveal-why-a-key-tb-drug-works-against-resistant-strains/) - Rutgers Health research has uncovered why a relatively new antibiotic for tuberculosis (TB) works against multidrug-resistant strains, potentially inspiring improved treatments and drug development strategies. The study from scientists at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and other institutions found that deficiencies in a critical enzyme make tuberculosis bacteria that resist old antibiotics more vulnerable to
- [Adverse Events Affect More Than 1 in 3 Surgery Patients, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/adverse-events-affect-more-than-1-in-3-surgery-patients-study-finds/) - Adverse events affect more than one-third (38%) of adults undergoing surgery, finds a study of admissions to 11 hospitals in Massachusetts, published by The BMJ today. Of the 1,009 admissions analyzed, nearly half were classified as major (resulting in serious, life threatening or fatal harm) and the majority were considered as potentially preventable. Although this
- [Long-COVID Could Cost the Economy Billions Every Year](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-covid-could-cost-the-economy-billions-every-year/) - Working days lost to long-COVID could be costing the UK economy billions of pounds every year as patients struggle to cope with symptoms and return to work, finds a new study led by University College London (UCL) researchers. The research, published in BMJ Open and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research
- [New Medical AI Tool Identifies More Cases of Long-COVID From Patient Health Records](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-medical-ai-tool-identifies-more-cases-of-long-covid-from-patient-health-records/) - Investigators at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI-based tool to sift through electronic health records to help clinicians identify cases of long COVID, an often mysterious condition that can encompass a litany of enduring symptoms, including fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog after infection from SARS-CoV-2. The results, which are published in the journal
- [Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Could Pose Major Health Threat Across Asia](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-could-pose-major-health-threat-across-asia/) - A virulent new strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes severe disease could be spreading widely across Asia, posing significant challenges to global public health, a new study reveals. Researchers discovered the ST164 variant of Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in a Chinese intensive care unit (ICU) as part of their study into how bundled infection prevention
- [New GPS System for Microorganisms Could Revolutionize Tracking Efforts](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-gps-system-for-microorganisms-could-revolutionize-tracking-efforts/) - A research team led by Lund University in Sweden has developed an AI tool that traces back the most recent places you have been to. The tool acts like a satellite navigation system, but instead of guiding you to your hotel, it identifies the geographical source of microorganisms. This means you can use bacteria to
- [The November 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-november-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - Insufficient staffing impacts infection prevention outcomes. A new staffing calculator aims to provide IPs a better tool with which to make a business case for resourcing. To access the issue, CLICK HERE
- [Study Expands Understanding of How Fecal Microbiota Transplants May Work to Restore Gut Health](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-expands-understanding-of-how-fecal-microbiota-transplants-may-work-to-restore-gut-health/) - In a novel study that identified male chromosome genetic material in the intestines of female patients undergoing fecal transplants, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significantly expanded scientific understanding of how some of these transplants may succeed and work. Fecal microbiota transplant, or FMT, is a procedure in which stool from healthy donors
- [Sewage Surveillance Proves to be Powerful in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sewage-surveillance-proves-to-be-powerful-in-combating-antimicrobial-resistance/) - Waterborne diseases affect more than 7 million people in the U.S. every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and cost our healthcare system $3 billion-plus., but they don't impact all people equally. A campuswide collaboration is using sewage surveillance as a vital strategy in the fight against diseases that spread through
- [Pathogens Clinging to Microplastics May Survive Wastewater Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pathogens-clinging-to-microplastics-may-survive-wastewater-treatment/) - Wastewater treatment fails to kill several human pathogens when they hide out on microplastics in the water, reports a new study led by Ingun Lund Witsø of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, published Nov. 6, 2024 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove contaminants from wastewater, but microplastics
- [10% of Children in High-Burden Tuberculosis Settings May Develop the Disease by Age 10](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/10-of-children-in-high-burden-tuberculosis-settings-may-develop-the-disease-by-age-10/) - An estimated 1.2 million children develop tuberculosis disease (TB) and 200,000 kids die from TB worldwide each year, but the risk of developing TB infection and disease throughout childhood remains under-studied. Furthermore, the majority of studies on the pediatric burden of TB are informed by data from patients in healthcare settings, rather than people in
- [Nurse Burnout Associated With Lower Healthcare Quality and Safety](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nurse-burnout-associated-with-lower-healthcare-quality-and-safety/) - Occupational burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment and is prevalent among nurses. Although previous meta-analyses have explored the correlates of nurse burnout, none have estimated their association with health care quality and safety and patient morbidity and mortality, according to Li, et al. (2024), who sought
- [Greater COVID-19 Burden Associated With Increased Risk of In-Hospital Adverse Events](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/greater-covid-19-burden-associated-with-increased-risk-of-in-hospital-adverse-events/) - The COVID-19 pandemic introduced stresses on hospitals due to the surge in demand for care and to staffing shortages. The implications of these stresses for patient safety are not well understood, assert Metersky, et al. (2024) who sought to assess whether hospital COVID-19 burden was associated with the rate of in-hospital adverse effects (AEs). This
- [Researchers Shed Light on Increased Rates of Infections Caused by Streptococcus Subspecies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-shed-light-on-increased-rates-of-infections-caused-by-streptococcus-subspecies/) - A concerning increase in global rates of severe invasive infections becoming resistant to key antibiotics has a team of infectious disease researchers at the Houston Methodist Research Institute studying a recently emerged strain of bacteria called Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE). SDSE infects humans via the skin, throat, gastrointestinal tract and female genital tract to
- [Study Shows Broader Screening Methods Help Prevent Spread of Candida auris in Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-broader-screening-methods-help-prevent-spread-of-candida-auris-in-hospitals/) - A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) describes the outcome of a shift in hospital screening protocols for Candida auris, a dangerous and often drug-resistant fungal pathogen that spreads easily in hospital environments. A comparison of screening results and patient outcomes before and after the change at Mount Sinai
- [NIH Trial of Rectal Microbicide for HIV Prevention Begins in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-trial-of-rectal-microbicide-for-hiv-prevention-begins-in-the-u-s/) - A clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched to examine the safety and acceptability of a novel rectal HIV microbicide douche containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir. This "on-demand" HIV prevention approach involves using the microbicide prior to a potential exposure from receptive anal intercourse. Several forms of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis
- [Not Going Out is the “New Normal” Post-COVID, Experts Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/not-going-out-is-the-new-normal-post-covid-experts-say/) - Compared with just before the Covid-19 pandemic, people are spending nearly an hour less a day doing activities outside the home, behaviour that researchers say is a lasting consequence of the pandemic. A new study published in the Journal of the American Planning Association reveals an overall drop since 2019 of about 51 minutes in
- [Scientists Describe How Bacteria Evade the Effects of Antibiotics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-describe-how-bacteria-evade-the-effects-of-antibiotics/) - One of the main challenges of contemporary medicine is posed by the resistance of pathogens to antibiotics. An important step in countering it has now been made by researchers from IOCB Prague, in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Microbiology and the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Leveraging advanced cryogenic
- [Study Finds COVID-19 Pandemic Worsened Patient Safety Measures](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-covid-19-pandemic-worsened-patient-safety-measures/) - A new study published in Nursing Research has found that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted patient safety indicators in U.S. hospitals. The study, from Penn Nursing's Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR), examined data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators to assess trends in nursing-sensitive quality indicators from 2019 to 2022.
- [Study Shows Zinc’s Potential to Fight Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-zincs-potential-to-fight-antimicrobial-resistance/) - A research team at Iowa State University has found that zinc supplements may be an inexpensive, effective antidote to the growing health threat of antimicrobial resistance, potentially extending the effectiveness of today's antibiotic arsenal against disease. Infections from bacteria resistant to antibiotics are a growing threat to human health. Several million people in the United
- [Scientists Develop Tool to Predict Sepsis in Apparently Healthy Newborns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-develop-tool-to-predict-sepsis-in-apparently-healthy-newborns/) - A genetic signature in newborns can predict neonatal sepsis before symptoms even start to show, according to a new study. The study, led by University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) researchers in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia, has the potential to help healthcare workers diagnose babies
- [Researchers Study Strategies to Reduce Propofol Waste in the OR](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-study-strategies-to-reduce-propofol-waste-in-the-or/) - Propofol is used in the operating room to induce anesthesia. To maintain anesthesia, a continuous infusion of the agent via a separate syringe pump is the standard procedure for total intravenous anesthesia. However, this is not entirely sustainable: propofol produces about 45 percent of the drug waste in the operating room, and a quarter of
- [Bovine H5N1 Influenza From Infected Worker is Transmissible and Lethal in Animal Models, Could Transmit to Humans](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bovine-h5n1-influenza-from-infected-worker-is-transmissible-and-lethal-in-animal-models-could-transmit-to-humans/) - A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, isolated from the eye of a farm worker who became infected through contact with dairy cows, was lethal in mice and ferrets infected in a high-containment laboratory environment, according to a new study in Nature. The study investigators also found that the virus isolated from the worker,
- [Experts Develop Lab Toolkit for Patients With Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-develop-lab-toolkit-for-patients-with-viral-hemorrhagic-fevers/) - Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) such as Marburg virus disease have been in the news recently, with more than 60 cases of Marburg confirmed in Rwanda. Although there are currently no cases of Marburg in the United States, and the risk of infection in the U.S. remains low, Mass General Brigham experts have collaborated with the
- [UV-C Light Might be a Feasible Alternative Disinfection Method for Flexible Endoscopes Without a Working Channel](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/uv-c-light-might-be-a-feasible-alternative-disinfection-method-for-flexible-endoscopes-without-a-working-channel/) - To prevent cross-contamination between patients, adequate reprocessing is necessary when using flexible endoscopes (FEs) without a working channel. The current reprocessing process using an endoscope washer disinfector (EWD) is time-consuming, some experts say. Ultraviolet light group C (UV-C) exposition is an alternative and fast disinfection method and has previously been shown to adequately reduce colony-forming
- [A Lung Pathogen’s Dilemma: Infect or Resist Antibiotics?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/a-lung-pathogens-dilemma-infect-or-resist-antibiotics/) - Imagine trying to settle into a new home while constantly being attacked. That's what the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa faces when it infects the lungs, and it can't both spread and protect itself from antibiotics at the same time. Nonetheless, it's one of the top culprits in hospital-acquired infections and it's notorious for causing long-lasting, antibiotic-resistant
- [U.S. Hospitals Make Impressive Strides in Hand Hygiene Practices](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-hospitals-make-impressive-strides-in-hand-hygiene-practices/) - By Leah Binder Effective hand hygiene is widely recognized as one of the most crucial steps hospitals can take to prevent infections, protecting both patients and health care workers. This vital aspect of infection control is why my organization, The Leapfrog Group, sets high standards on hospital hand hygiene practices and asks hospitals about them
- [The Surprising Reason Why B Cells Benefit From Booster Shots](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-surprising-reason-why-b-cells-benefit-from-booster-shots/) - Certain infectious diseases, such as COVID or the flu, evolve constantly, shapeshifting just enough to outmaneuver our immune systems and reinfect us repeatedly. But subsequent reinfections often don't lead to the most severe outcomes-for very good reason. Upon first exposure to a pathogen, our immune systems churn out specially trained B cells, which have learned
- [West Nile Infections are Spiking but the Percentage of Severe Cases is Small](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/west-nile-infections-are-spiking-but-the-percentage-of-severe-cases-is-small/) - The U.S. is currently in the midst of yet another West Nile virus (WNV) outbreak, with the CDC documenting 880 cases across 46 states so far this year. These numbers likely represent only a small fraction of total WNV infections, because diagnosis generally follows the appearance of symptoms, and 80% of people have no symptoms
- [Novel Antibody Platform Tackles Viral Mutations](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/novel-antibody-platform-tackles-viral-mutations/) - Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in collaboration with colleagues in the field, have developed an innovative antibody platform aimed at tackling one of the greatest challenges in treating rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2: their ability to mutate and evade existing vaccines and therapies. Their findings, including preclinical studies in mice,
- [Pilot Study Shows Hand Sanitizer Did Not Treat Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Lesions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pilot-study-shows-hand-sanitizer-did-not-treat-herpes-simplex-virus-1-lesions/) - Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a highly contagious virus that manifests as a painful lesion and recurrences can be distressing to patients. The purpose of this pilot study published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene was to determine if the use of a 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer alters the duration, size of
- [Antibiotics and Antifungals May Slightly Affect Parkinson's Risk, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotics-and-antifungals-may-slightly-affect-parkinsons-risk-study-finds/) - A Rutgers Health study has found that people who took multiple courses of penicillin antibiotics had a modestly lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a surprising finding that researchers say highlights the complex relationship between bacteria in the digestive tract and brain health. The study, published in Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, analyzed medical records from
- [‘Low-Risk’ Antibiotic Has Led to an Almost Untreatable Superbug](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/low-risk-antibiotic-has-led-to-an-almost-untreatable-superbug/) - An international team of researchers has found that an antibiotic commonly prescribed for patients with liver disease, called rifaximin, has led to the global emergence of an almost untreatable form of the antimicrobial-resistant superbug vancomycin-resistant enterococcus faecium (VRE), which frequently causes serious infections in hospitalised patients. The study has demonstrated that rifaximin usage is driving
- [Can Probiotic Cleaning Products Trigger a Paradigm Shift Within Healthcare Environments?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/can-probiotic-cleaning-products-trigger-a-paradigm-shift-within-healthcare-environments/) - The environment of healthcare institutions plays a major role in the transmission of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) and likely in subsequent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Probiotic cleaning products are a novel option for environmental cleaning, say Denkel, et al. (2024), who add that they represent a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to conventional chemical disinfectants for controlling
- [AI Could Transform How Hospitals Produce Quality Reports](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-could-transform-how-hospitals-produce-quality-reports/) - A pilot study led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially lead to easier, faster and more efficient hospital quality reporting while retaining high accuracy, which could lead to enhanced healthcare delivery. The study results, published in the Oct. 21, 2024 online edition
- [Kidney Transplantation Between Donors and Recipients With HIV is Safe, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/kidney-transplantation-between-donors-and-recipients-with-hiv-is-safe-study-finds/) - Kidney transplantation from deceased donors with HIV (HIV D+) to recipients with HIV (HIV R+) was safe and comparable to kidney transplantation from donors without HIV (HIV D-) in a multicenter observational study in the United States. The clinical outcomes observed were consistent with smaller pilot studies, but this National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical
- [NIH Clinical Trial Indicates Mpox Vaccine Generates a Robust Antibody Response in Adolescents](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-clinical-trial-indicates-mpox-vaccine-generates-a-robust-antibody-response-in-adolescents/) - A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial of an Mpox vaccine in adolescents found it was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults, according to a planned interim analysis of study data. Adolescents are among the population groups affected by mpox in the current Clade I Mpox outbreak. The
- [How Handrub Dispenser Types and Conditions Affect Dispensed Volumes and Usability in Healthcare Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-handrub-dispenser-types-and-conditions-affect-dispensed-volumes-and-usability-in-healthcare-settings/) - Hand hygiene is one of the most important hygiene measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Well-functioning hand rub dispensers are the foundation of hand hygiene but are often overlooked in research. As the point of origin for hand hygiene, dispensers not only promote compliance through ease of use, but also strongly influence the amount of handrub
- [Researchers Investigate Increase in PVC-BSI During the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-increase-in-pvc-bsi-during-the-second-year-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - Increasing nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. However, data describing peripheral venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (PVC-BSI) are limited. Pianca, et al. (2024) sought to describe the epidemiology and risk factors for PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected PVC-BSI data in a 2,100-bed hospital
- [Researchers Explore the Technical Domains of Healthcare Environmental Hygiene for Clean Hospitals Day 2024](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-the-technical-domains-of-healthcare-environmental-hygiene-for-clean-hospitals-day-2024/) - Clean Hospitals Day, celebrated each year on October 20, is designed to raise global awareness of healthcare environmental hygiene (HEH) and increase engagement of healthcare facilities (HCFs) around the world. The theme of this year's Clean Hospitals Day campaign is "The 6 Technical Domains of Healthcare Environmental Hygiene." Peters, et al. (2024) observe that, "Healthcare-associated
- [Unraveling Routes of Transmission in an Outbreak of OXA-23-Producing Acinetobacter baumannii](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unraveling-routes-of-transmission-in-an-outbreak-of-oxa-23-producing-acinetobacter-baumannii/) - An outbreak of OXA-23-producing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii among ICU-patients with COVID-19 likely occurred by transmission through inanimate surfaces, potentially facilitated by a contaminated positioning pillow shared between patients, according to researchers in a new study published in BMC. Subsequent rapid spread may have been caused by exposure to respiratory secretions contaminating healthcare worker's gloves and
- [Overcoming Fundamental Limitations of Conventional Infectious Disease Modeling](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/overcoming-fundamental-limitations-of-conventional-infectious-disease-modeling/) - A recent breakthrough study has introduced a novel methodology that significantly enhances the accuracy of epidemiological estimates for infectious diseases like COVID-19. The study, titled "Overcoming Bias in Estimating Epidemiological Parameters with Realistic History-Dependent Disease Spread Dynamics," was recently published in Nature Communications. The research team, led by professor Kim Jae Kyoung at KAIST and
- [Providencia rustigianii Has Virulence Gene Akin to Salmonella’s](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/providencia-rustigianii-has-virulence-gene-akin-to-salmonellas/) - Salmonella and E. coli are well-known bacteria that cause food poisoning, but less understood are species of Providencia, another causative agent of serious symptoms. Providencia rustigianii, isolated from pediatric gastroenteritis patients, has now undergone whole genome sequencing by a research team led by Osaka Metropolitan University professor Shinji Yamasaki of the Graduate School of Veterinary
- [City Microbes Surviving on Disinfectants, Research Reveals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/city-microbes-surviving-on-disinfectants-research-reveals/) - A new study published in the journal Microbiome has identified novel strains of microbes that have adapted to use the limited resources available in cities and shown that our everyday behavior is changing the makeup of microorganisms in indoor environments. "Built environments offer distinct conditions that set them apart from natural and engineered habitats," says
- [The October 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available: Discover IP&C Challenges Leading Up to 2030](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-october-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - While the gift of being able to divine the future may be reserved for a few notable individuals such as Nostradamus, in more modern times, surveying experts and extrapolating the results may be the closest we can get to having a magic crystal ball. That's exactly what a small group of medical professionals has done
- [Researchers Create mRNA Vaccine to Prevent and Treat C. difficile](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-create-mrna-vaccine-to-prevent-and-treat-c-difficile/) - A new vaccine provides hope for treating and even preventing the highly contagious and difficult-to-treat Clostridioides difficile infection, more commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff. In animal models, this first mRNA-LNP C. difficile vaccine was found to protect against C. difficile first-time infections and relapsing infections by inducing a robust immune response, promote
- [Bacteria Thrive by Playing Nice Before Going Their Own Way](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bacteria-thrive-by-playing-nice-before-going-their-own-way/) - Biofilms - slimy communities of bacteria - grow on all sorts of surfaces: from glaciers and hot springs to plant roots, your bathtub and fridge, wounds, and medical devices such as catheters. Most biofilms are composed of multiple bacterial species, but how these species manage to live together is unclear. A new study by Dartmouth
- [Real-World Analysis of RSV Vaccine Found to be Effective in Older Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/real-world-analysis-of-rsv-vaccine-found-to-be-effective-in-older-adults/) - A multi-state study published in The Lancet is one of the first real-world data analyses of the effectiveness of the RSV -- short for respiratory syncytial virus -- vaccine. VISION Network researchers report that across the board these vaccines were highly effective in older adults, even those with immunocompromising conditions, during the 2023-24 respiratory disease
- [Bird Flu Found in Wastewater Before Reported Outbreaks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bird-flu-found-in-wastewater-before-reported-outbreaks/) - Bird flu was detected in wastewater before the first reported outbreak among Texas dairy cattle in 2024, according to new findings presented at IDWeek 2024. Experts say early detection of infectious disease outbreaks is vital to enable timely and effective public health responses to bird flu and other zoonotic influenza. Researchers found a biomarker for
- [Public Concern About RSV Has Faded, Unlike Flu and COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/public-concern-about-rsv-has-faded-unlike-flu-and-covid-19/) - More than 100,000 older adults are hospitalized on average yearly in the United States with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), as are 58,000 or more infants and young children under the age of five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC says 6,000 or more older adults and 100 or more
- [Half of All Patients With Sepsis Die Within Two Years](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/half-of-all-patients-with-sepsis-die-within-two-years/) - Half of all patients with sepsis admitted to an emergency medical department died within two years, according to Danish researchers investigating factors that could predict outcomes for these patients. Dr. Finn E. Nielsen, a senior scientist in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, told the European Emergency Medicine Congress today that
- [Hospitals Experiencing IP&C Understaffing Have Higher Rates of Infection, Study Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospitals-experiencing-ipc-understaffing-have-higher-rates-of-infection-study-says/) - Inadequate infection prevention and control staffing levels are associated with higher rates of healthcare-associated infections, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. NOTE: Stay tuned for the November issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine for an in-depth look at IP&C staffing and the impact on patient outcomes. The study, conducted
- [School Mask Mandate Study Highlights Challenges of Using Observational Data to Study Effects of Public Health Interventions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/school-mask-mandate-study-highlights-challenges-of-using-observational-data-to-study-effects-of-public-health-interventions/) - A re-examination of an influential and widely cited study which claimed that school mask mandates led to significantly reduced COVID-19 cases among students and staff in Massachusetts suggests that the conclusion may be flawed due to challenges inherent in the study methodology. This analysis is important because it shows that results of observational studies can
- [Rates of a Tick-Borne Parasitic Disease are on the Rise](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rates-of-a-tick-borne-parasitic-disease-are-on-the-rise/) - Rates of babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic disease, increased an average of 9% per year in the United States between 2015 and 2022 and 4 in 10 patients were found to be co-infected with another tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey
- [Researchers to Tackle Lung Infections Through Innovative Probiotic Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-to-tackle-lung-infections-through-innovative-probiotic-treatment/) - University of California San Diego and University of California Berkeley researchers have been awarded up to $7 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to conduct research under the PROTECT project - Pro/Prebiotic Regulation for Optimized Treatment and Eradication of Clinical Threats. The project targets pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and potentially
- [Researchers Identify Signs Tied to More Severe Cases of RSV](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-signs-tied-to-more-severe-cases-of-rsv/) - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in young children due to respiratory complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Yet little is understood about why some children develop only mild symptoms while others develop severe disease. To better understand what happens in these cases, clinician-scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding
- [Electronically Delivered Nudges Increased Influenza Vaccination Among Those With Chronic Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/electronically-delivered-nudges-increased-influenza-vaccination-among-those-with-chronic-diseases/) - Despite strong worldwide guideline recommendations, influenza vaccination rates remain suboptimal among young and middle-aged patients with chronic diseases. Effective scalable strategies to increase vaccination are needed. Johansen, et al. (2024) sought to investigate whether electronically delivered letter-based nudges informed by behavioral science could increase influenza vaccination uptake among patients aged 18 to 64 years with
- [Unravelling the Mystery of Dormancy in Food Pathogens for More Effective Eradication](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unravelling-the-mystery-of-dormancy-in-food-pathogens-for-more-effective-eradication/) - The detection tests commonly used to check for the absence of microbes in hospitals or the agri-food industry are based on microbial growth, such as the laboratory cultivation of microorganisms from a sample to be checked. If no micro-organisms appear during culturing, the sample is considered safe. But faced with the multiple stresses encountered in
- [Researchers Find Positive Impact of Sterile Gloving During Proximal Manipulation of Central Lines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-find-positive-impact-of-sterile-gloving-during-proximal-manipulation-of-central-lines/) - Patients with central lines face an increased risk of developing bacteremia. Preventing late-onset catheter-related infections relies on implementing various measures during manipulations of the catheter hub of central lines (such as during connections, disconnections, blood withdrawals, pulsed rinses, or injections performed at the first connection after the central catheter). French guidelines include, among these measures,
- [Researchers Confront New Domestic and Global Challenges in Vaccinations of Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-confront-new-domestic-and-global-challenges-in-vaccinations-of-adults/) - Vaccines to prevent common and serious infectious diseases have had a greater impact on improving human health than any other medical advance of the 20th century, surpassing even sanitation and potable water. From the global eradication of smallpox in 1980 to the unprecedented development of effective and safe mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, vaccinations have played
- [Could a Bout of COVID Protect You From a Severe Case of Flu?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-a-bout-of-covid-protect-you-from-a-severe-case-of-flu/) - More than 200 viruses can infect and cause disease in humans; most of us will be infected by several over the course of a lifetime. Does an encounter with one virus influence how your immune system responds to a different one? If so, how? Does it weaken your defenses, boost them, or have some other
- [Big Gaps Seen in Home Medical Test Use by Older Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/big-gaps-seen-in-home-medical-test-use-by-older-adults/) - With a fresh wave of free COVID-19 rapid tests now shipping to households nationwide, and many other types of at-home medical tests now available on store shelves and websites, a new study looks at what older adults think about this newfound ability to get answers to medical questions without leaving home. The study, based on
- [How Doxycycline for STI Prevention Affects the Gut Microbiome](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-doxycycline-for-sti-prevention-affects-the-gut-microbiome/) - Taking a dose of the oral antibiotic doxycycline after a high-risk sexual encounter has dramatically reduced the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in places where the strategy is being tried. Despite its effectiveness, the new strategy, known as doxy-PEP, may come with risks, especially with chronic use. Experts worry about the impact on the
- [Plant Compound Used in Traditional Medicine May Help Fight Tuberculosis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/plant-compound-used-in-traditional-medicine-may-help-fight-tuberculosis/) - A compound found in African wormwood - a plant used medicinally for thousands of years to treat many types of illness - could be effective against tuberculosis, according to a new study that is available online and will be published in the October edition of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. The team, co-led by Penn State
- [Healthcare Site- and Patient-Related Factors Influenced COVID-19 Vaccination Completion Rates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-site-and-patient-related-factors-influenced-covid-19-vaccination-completion-rates/) - The COVID-19 vaccine, introduced in December 2022, played a critical role in reducing mortality and morbidity related to the pandemic globally. Yet, by 2023, only 70% of the US population had completed the primary vaccination series. While factors such as race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, geography and political affiliations have been linked to vaccination rates, its relationship
- [Wider Use of Convalescent Plasma Might Have Saved Thousands More Lives During Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/wider-use-of-convalescent-plasma-might-have-saved-thousands-more-lives-during-pandemic/) - A new study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates that thousands of lives could have been saved during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic if convalescent plasma had been used more broadly, particularly in outpatients at high risk for severe disease and in hospitalized patients during their first
- [CDC Updates Response to A(H5N1) Avian Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-updates-response-to-ah5n1-avian-flu/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by a multi-state outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or "H5N1 bird flu," in dairy cows, poultry and other animals in the United States. The CDC is working in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the
- [New Images of RSV May Expose Weak Points of This Stubborn Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-images-of-rsv-may-expose-weak-points-of-this-stubborn-virus/) - The complex shape of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one hurdle limiting the development of treatments for an infection that leads to hospitalization or worse for hundreds of thousands of people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New images of the virus from researchers at the
- [NIH Panel Concludes COVID-19 Guidelines, Provides Final Treatment Recommendations](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-panel-concludes-covid-19-guidelines-provides-final-treatment-recommendations/) - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel released its final set of recommendations on Feb. 29, 2024. An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine includes a copy of the final guidelines and incorporates perspectives and lessons learned as the public health emergency ended. Convened in March 2020 at the request of
- [Pigs May be the Transmission Route of Rat Hepatitis E to Humans](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pigs-may-be-the-transmission-route-of-rat-hepatitis-e-to-humans/) - New research suggests that pigs may function as a transmission vehicle for a strain of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) common in rats that has recently been found to infect humans. The Rocahepevirus ratti strain is called "rat HEV" because rats are the primary reservoir of the virus. Since the first human case was reported
- [Researchers Identify Antibodies Against Klebsiella pneumoniae](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-antibodies-against-klebsiella-pneumoniae/) - Research at UMC Utrecht has identified 29 novel antibodies against the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important cause of drug-resistant infections. Using genetic and functional approaches, the researchers also managed to unravel how these antibodies interact with antigens on the bacterial surface. Finally, they found that some of these novel antibodies act synergistically to neutralize this
- [Researchers Issue a Blueprint for Change in Acute- and Critical-Care Nursing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-issue-a-blueprint-for-change-in-acute-and-critical-care-nursing/) - An article published in the latest issue of Nursing Outlook proposes a significant shift in how nursing care is measured within acute- and critical-care settings. This Blueprint for Action seeks to revolutionize current methods by recognizing the full scope of a nurse's work and its profound impact on patient outcomes. "The current measurement systems fail
- [CDC Awards $176 Million to Strengthen U.S. Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-awards-176-million-to-strengthen-u-s-public-health-infrastructure-and-workforce/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced more than $176 million in funding to support 48 public health partners to strengthen the public health system in the United States. This funding enables these partners to support state, local, and territorial health departments, tribal organizations, academic, and private sector partners to improve their
- [Campylobacter jejuni-Specific Antibody Gives Hope to Vaccine Development](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/campylobacter-jejuni-specific-antibody-gives-hope-to-vaccine-development/) - Bacterial infections resulting in enteritis, sometimes extra-intestinal infections such as sepsis, continue to be a global health concern. A leading cause of diarrheal and extra-intestinal infectious mortality among children under 5 and elderly persons is infection with Campylobacter bacteria, against which there is no effective vaccine or medication. An Osaka Metropolitan University-led team has recently
- [Revealing the Hidden Complexity of Bacterial Biofilms](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/revealing-the-hidden-complexity-of-bacterial-biofilms/) - New research reveals insights into the development of bacterial biofilms, highlighting how these communities adapt to environmental stress through complex interactions between physical and biological processes occurring in the surrounding environment. The research could have broad implications for fields such as medicine, environmental science, and industry. Led by professor Liraz Chai from the Institute of
- [With the Use of Visual Cues, Hospital Rooms Get Nearly 70% Cleaner](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/with-the-use-of-visual-cues-hospital-rooms-get-nearly-70-cleaner/) - A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports a comparison of hospital room cleanliness using standard disinfectant wipes versus wipes with a color additive that allows users to see which surfaces have been sanitized. With the color additive, rooms were 69.2% cleaner and were able to be cleaned in slightly
- [Telemedicine Improved Physicians’ Quality of Patient Care During COVID Pandemic, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/telemedicine-improved-physicians-quality-of-patient-care-during-covid-pandemic-study-shows/) - Telemedicine actually improves the quality of care and increases physician satisfaction in delivering that care, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York. We all remember when the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 upended the comfort of our daily routines. Businesses were forced to adapt to limited ways of engaging with
- [Lack of Knowledge Leads Some Patients to Expect Antibiotics for Common Symptoms](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lack-of-knowledge-leads-some-patients-to-expect-antibiotics-for-common-symptoms/) - Patient expectations of receiving antibiotics for common symptoms can trigger unnecessary use, contributing to antibiotic resistance and other health risks. A new study examined the prevalence of and factors that influence patient antibiotic expectations for common symptoms. This study surveyed 564 primary-care patients in Texas between January 2020 and June 2021 across public and private
- [Long-COVID Patients Seek Better Collaboration With Healthcare Professionals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-covid-patients-seek-better-collaboration-with-healthcare-professionals/) - Long-COVID is the continuation or development of new symptoms three months after initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. For many patients with long-COVID, primary care is the first point of interaction with the healthcare system. This study aimed to examine the expectations and experiences of primary care patients seeking treatment for long-COVID. Researchers conducted 20 semi-structured interviews between
- [Nursing Shortages Can Be Deadly, New Research Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nursing-shortages-can-be-deadly-new-research-finds/) - A new paper in the British Journal of Surgery shows that nursing shortages result in longer hospital stays and worse patient outcomes, including higher mortality. Physicians perform more than 300 million surgeries each year worldwide. Observers have expressed concern about the quality of care for adult patients undergoing surgery and the rising cost of avoidable
- [Scientists Use Graphene to Fight Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-use-graphene-to-fight-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/) - With strong bactericidal properties, graphene has the potential to become a game changer in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. So far there have been no efficient ways to control these properties - and thus no way to make use of graphene's potential in healthcare. Now researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, have solved
- [Wastewater Monitoring Can Detect Foodborne Illness, Researchers Find](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/wastewater-monitoring-can-detect-foodborne-illness-researchers-find/) - First used in the 1940s to monitor for polio, wastewater surveillance proved such a powerful disease monitoring tool that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the National Wastewater Surveillance System to support SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in September of 2020. Now, a team of scientists from Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of
- [Some Older Adults Unlikely to Seek the 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/some-older-adults-unlikely-to-seek-the-2024-covid-19-vaccine/) - The newly updated COVID-19 vaccine just arrived in pharmacies and clinics nationwide, and a new poll suggests nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get it. But some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest varies widely by age group, education level, race
- [Scientists Searching for a Vaccine Against Syphilis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-searching-for-a-vaccine-against-syphilis/) - Syphilis cases have surged worldwide, leaving public health officials scrounging for ways to stop the spread. Now, a large, collaborative study of syphilis genetics from four continents has found hints of a possible target for a vaccine. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted illness that first appeared in Europe about 500 years ago. Its initial symptoms
- [Scientists Identify Unique Combination of Bacterial Strains to Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Gut Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-identify-unique-combination-of-bacterial-strains-to-treat-antibiotic-resistant-gut-infections/) - Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections often occur in patients with chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and in patients who have taken antibiotics for a long time. Gram-negative bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae are a common cause of these infections and have few treatment options. Fecal microbiota transplants have shown promise to curb some of
- [Unnecessary Isolation for Mpox May be Reduced by Adopting Testing-Based Protocols](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unnecessary-isolation-for-mpox-may-be-reduced-by-adopting-testing-based-protocols/) - Mpox, a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, saw a significant increase in cases from mid-2022. The variant in the 2022 outbreak, named clade IIb, spread globally, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. In response, there has been a growing need for effective isolation strategies that balance public health and personal freedom. Using
- [Large-Scale Study Will Seek to Unearth Causes of Persistent Symptoms of Lyme Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/large-scale-study-will-seek-to-unearth-causes-of-persistent-symptoms-of-lyme-disease/) - Tufts University researchers have received a $20.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to try to answer some of the most vexing questions around chronic Lyme disease. The collaborative team will lead the largest NIH-funded prospective study to date, following patients from their earliest diagnosis of Lyme disease to better identify why
- [Discovery Paves the Way for Antivirals Against Ebola Virus and Its Deadly Relatives](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/discovery-paves-the-way-for-antivirals-against-ebola-virus-and-its-deadly-relatives/) - At this moment, the world has few tools to combat deadly filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses. The only approved vaccine and antibody treatments protect against just one filovirus species. Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) are working to guide the development of new antivirals by leading some clever enemy reconnaissance. These
- [U.S. COVID-19 Rates Oscillate Every Six Months, Study Indicates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-covid-19-rates-oscillate-every-six-months-study-indicates/) - COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have shown unexpected oscillating waves every six months between the southern states and the northern states and, to a lesser degree, from east to west, according to new research published today in Scientific Reports. Public health scientists from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Ottawa and University of Washington conducted
- [More Than 39 Million Deaths From Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Estimated Through 2050, Suggests Global Analysis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/more-than-39-million-deaths-from-antibiotic-resistant-infections-estimated-through-2050-suggests-global-analysis/) - More than 39 million people around the world could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years, according to a study published in The Lancet. The new study by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project is the first global analysis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends over time. It reveals that more than
- [NIH Releases Mpox Research Agenda](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-releases-mpox-research-agenda/) - As part of the U.S. government response to the current mpox outbreak, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has released an update on its priorities for mpox research. The NIAID mpox research agenda focuses on four key objectives: increasing knowledge about the biology of all clades-also known
- [Researchers Identify a Critical Immune Factor for Host Defense Against MRSA](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-a-critical-immune-factor-for-host-defense-against-mrsa/) - Staphylococcus aureus, mostly known from its antibiotic-resistant variant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is among the leading causes of both community- and hospital-acquired infections. According to the most recent data, MRSA killed around 120,000 people in 2022 globally and far more are killed by antibiotic-susceptible strains of S. aureus. So far however, all attempts at developing
- [Antiviral-Resistant Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Can Emerge in Immunocompromised People](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antiviral-resistant-variants-of-sars-cov-2-can-emerge-in-immunocompromised-people/) - Individuals with compromised immunity and persistent COVID-19 infections can harbor drug-resistant variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which have the potential to spread to the general population found researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
- [Data Show Better-Designed OR Reduces Surgery Time, Implying Better Outcomes and Reduced Costs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/data-show-better-designed-or-reduces-surgery-time-implying-better-outcomes-and-reduced-costs/) - A new study by University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design associate professor Xiaobo Quan has linked operating room design to the length of knee- and hip-replacement surgeries. These findings can be used to optimize spaces that will both produce better outcomes, via shorter surgeries, for patients and boost the hospital's bottom line, Quan
- [Light-Induced Immunoassay Can Detect Coronavirus Spike Proteins in 5 Minutes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/light-induced-immunoassay-can-detect-coronavirus-spike-proteins-in-5-minutes/) - Like moths to a flame, microbes can also be moved by light. Using this knowledge, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University's Research Institute for Light-induced Acceleration System (RILACS) have demonstrated a method to detect the presence of viruses quickly and using only a small sample. The research team led by OMU professor Takuya Iida, the director
- [Therapy Dog Program Provides Mood-Booster for Healthcare Personnel](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/therapy-dog-program-provides-mood-booster-for-healthcare-personnel/) - Therapy dogs have long been known to brighten the moods of patients in hospitals. But could these furry four-legged friends help support the health care providers who care for patients? A new study by researchers at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine and College of Nursing proves the mood-boosting benefits of Buckeye
- [Researchers to Study Presence of MRSA in Air in Hospital Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-to-study-presence-of-mrsa-in-air-in-hospital-settings/) - University of Cincinnati scientists are working to minimize healthcare workers' exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. Most MRSA infections occur in people who've been in hospitals or other healthcare settings, making it a particular risk to
- [Machine Learning Could Help Reduce Hospitalizations During a Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/machine-learning-could-help-reduce-hospitalizations-during-a-pandemic/) - A new study sheds light on a promising approach using machine learning to more effectively allocate medical treatments during a pandemic or any time there's a shortage of therapeutics. The findings, published today in JAMA Health Forum, found a significant reduction in expected hospitalizations when using machine learning to help distribute medication using the COVID-19
- [NIH Awards Establish Pandemic Preparedness Research Network](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-awards-establish-pandemic-preparedness-research-network/) - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has established a pandemic preparedness research network to conduct research on high-priority pathogens most likely to threaten human health with the goal of developing effective vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Currently, many of the diseases caused by these pathogens have no available vaccines or therapeutics, and investing in this research
- [Ignore Antifungal Resistance at Your Peril, Scientists Warn](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ignore-antifungal-resistance-at-your-peril-scientists-warn/) - Without immediate action, humanity will potentially face further escalation in resistance in fungal disease, a renowned group of scientists from the across the world has warned. The commentary, published in The Lancet this week, was coordinated by scientists at the University of Manchester, the Westerdijk Institute and the University of Amsterdam. According to the scientists,
- [Study Unveils Multi-modal Approach to Tackle Post-COVID Syndrome](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-unveils-multi-modal-approach-to-tackle-post-covid-syndrome/) - In a world still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of international researchers has proposed a novel approach to treating the persistent symptoms that plague many survivors of viral infections. The study, published August 30 in Brain Medicine, outlines a multimodal treatment strategy that could offer hope to millions suffering from
- [Emergency Department Screening More Than Doubles Detection of Syphilis Cases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/emergency-department-screening-more-than-doubles-detection-of-syphilis-cases/) - Providing optional syphilis tests to most people seeking care at a large emergency department led to a dramatic increase in syphilis screening and diagnosis, according to a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported study of nearly 300,000 emergency department encounters in Chicago. Most people diagnosed had no symptoms, which suggests that symptom-based testing strategies alone could
- [Newly Discovered Antimicrobial Could Prevent or Treat Cholera](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/newly-discovered-antimicrobial-could-prevent-or-treat-cholera/) - More than a million people each year die from infections by pathogens that are resistant to antimicrobials, and the problem is growing. Meanwhile, the discovery of new antimicrobials that can help stem the tide has not kept pace. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin see promise in a class of natural antimicrobials called
- [Study Reveals How Antibiotics Contribute to Inflammatory Bowel Disease Risk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-how-antibiotics-contribute-to-inflammatory-bowel-disease-risk/) - In a study published today in Science Advances, Dr. Shai Bel and his research team at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University have uncovered crucial insights into how antibiotic use increases the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study demonstrates that antibiotics interfere with the protective mucus layer in the intestine, a
- [Avian Flu Found in Wastewater of 10 Texas Cities Through Virome Sequencing by Researchers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/avian-flu-found-in-wastewater-of-10-texas-cities-through-virome-sequencing-by-researchers/) - Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, which spread to cattle and infected 14 people this year, was detected using virome sequencing in the wastewater of 10 Texas cities by researchers at UTHealth Houston and Baylor College of Medicine. The virome is the collection of viruses in a sample, in this case a wastewater sample. The information was
- [Single Dose of Mpox Vaccine Effective in Preventing Infection, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/single-dose-of-mpox-vaccine-effective-in-preventing-infection-study-finds/) - A single dose of the Modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) was 58% effective in protecting again mpox infection, according to a new study published in BMJ. Researchers from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), Public Health Ontario, and the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital of Unity Health Toronto have
- [New National Survey Shows Hesitancy About Vaccines This Fall](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-national-survey-shows-hesitancy-about-vaccines-this-fall/) - With flu season just around the corner and COVID-19 cases on the rise, a new nationwide survey from Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center reveals hesitancy around vaccines this fall. The new data comes just as this year's flu shot rolls out and following the FDA's approval of an updated round of COVID-19 vaccines. The
- [1 in 5 COVID Deaths Potentially Attributable to Hospital Caseload Strain](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/1-in-5-covid-deaths-potentially-attributable-to-hospital-caseload-strain/) - A nationwide retrospective cohort study evaluated the effect of COVID-19 caseload stress on the probability of in-hospital mortality or discharge to hospice. The data revealed a detrimental relationship between COVID-19 caseload and survival across all hospital types, far beyond the pandemic's learning curve. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from the
- [New Research Illuminates the Impact of Surface Properties on Bacterial Movement](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-research-illuminates-the-impact-of-surface-properties-on-bacterial-movement/) - As bacteria continue to become more resistant to antibiotics, it will be harder to treat bacterial infections, leading to more severe illnesses, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates. As an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, Megan O'Hara had a unique opportunity to study how bacteria move across surfaces - a process known as twitching
- [RSV Vaccination in Older Adults With Health Conditions is Cost-Effective](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rsv-vaccination-in-older-adults-with-health-conditions-is-cost-effective/) - Targeting vaccination programs for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to older adults with underlying health conditions is a cost-effective way to reduce disease, according to a new modeling study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. RSV infections cause major illness, especially in infants and older adults, and rates of infection increase with age. There are
- [The September Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-september-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available-2/) - In the September issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine, we speak with an expert who advises how infection preventionists can best navigate HAI-related litigation. In her presentation at the national APIC meeting this past June, Catherine Kroll, MPH, CIC, system director for infection prevention at PeaceHealth, assured infection preventionists that they could navigate the legal system
- [Rate of Nosocomial MRSA Transmission Evaluated Via Contact Screening](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rate-of-nosocomial-mrsa-transmission-evaluated-via-contact-screening/) - The prevention of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) transmission in the healthcare setting is a priority in infection control programs. A cornerstone of this policy is contact tracing of nosocomial contacts after an unexpected MRSA finding. The objective of this retrospective study by Konstantinovski, et al. (2024) was to quantify the rates of MRSA transmission in
- [Researchers Examine Nurses’ Contribution to Antimicrobial Stewardship](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-nurses-contribution-to-antimicrobial-stewardship/) - Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), the set of actions to ensure appropriate antimicrobial use, is increasingly considered a multidisciplinary endeavor; however, Bos, et al. (2024) say that it is unclear how hospital-based nurses envision their contribution to AMS. They used a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore the views and visions of Dutch bedside nurses on
- [Researchers Confirm COVID-19 Risk Increased According to the Number of Patients Per Room](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-confirm-covid-19-risk-increased-according-to-the-number-of-patients-per-room/) - There is an ongoing controversy regarding whether single-occupancy rooms are superior to multiple-occupancy rooms in terms of infection prevention, according to Jo, et al. (2024) who investigated whether treatment in a multiple-occupancy room is associated with an increased incidence of nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with treatment in a single-occupancy room. In this retrospective
- [Inhibiting Bacterial Biofilm Formation on the Catheters in CAUTI Patients](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/inhibiting-bacterial-biofilm-formation-on-the-catheters-in-cauti-patients/) - Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) remains the most significant challenge among hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), yet still unresolved. The present study by He, et al. (2024) aims to evaluate the preventive effectiveness of a spray dressing alone for CAUTI without combining with antibiotics and to evaluate the impact of bacterial biofilm formation on CAUTI results on
- [Lack of Workplace Support After Medication Errors Can Worsen Outcomes Among Healthcare Professionals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lack-of-workplace-support-after-medication-errors-can-worsen-outcomes-among-healthcare-professionals/) - Psychological distress is the most common negative outcome experienced by healthcare professionals after making medication errors, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. After such events, turnover intentions and absenteeism were more common among those experiencing inadequate organizational support and so-called "second victim" distress. During this past decade, an abundance of
- [Artificial Lymphoid Organs Could Help Predict Efficacy of Booster Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/artificial-lymphoid-organs-could-help-predict-efficacy-of-booster-vaccines/) - Researchers at the Institut Pasteur in France have developed artificial "lymphoid organ-chips" that recreate much of the human immune system's response to booster vaccines. The technology, described in an article to be published September 6 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), could potentially be used to evaluate the likely effectiveness of new protein and
- [NIH Awards to Support Innovation in Syphilis Diagnostics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-awards-to-support-innovation-in-syphilis-diagnostics/) - The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded grants for 10 projects to improve diagnostic tools for congenital and adult syphilis-conditions currently diagnosed with a sequence of tests, each with limited precision. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that adult and congenital syphilis cases increased
- [Uncovering the Specialized Immune Cells That Fight COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/uncovering-the-specialized-immune-cells-that-fight-covid-19/) - Vaccines work by equipping our immune systems to fight an invading virus. When we get vaccinated against COVID-19, specialized immune cells known as B cells learn to recognize the virus. If we subsequently get infected with COVID, these B cells will quickly manufacture antibodies to attack and destroy the virus. However, because the mRNA vaccines
- [Experts Address H5 Flu Vaccines and What Should be Done to Reduce Pandemic Risk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-address-h5-flu-vaccines-and-what-should-be-done-to-reduce-pandemic-risk/) - As the global threat of H5N1 influenza looms with outbreaks across species and continents including the U.S., three international vaccine and public health experts say it is time to fully resource and support a robust strategy to address this and future potential pandemic influenza threats, including to consider voluntary vaccination for those now at exposure
- [Investigators Examine RSV Vaccine Effectiveness Against Hospitalization Among U.S. Adults 60 Years and Older](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-examine-rsv-vaccine-effectiveness-against-hospitalization-among-u-s-adults-60-years-and-older/) - In June 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination for adults aged 60 years and older based on high efficacy against RSV lower respiratory tract disease demonstrated in prelicensure randomized trials. Prelicensure trials were not powered to assess efficacy against RSV-associated hospitalization, excluded immunocompromised patients, and underrepresented
- [Airborne Fungus Boosted by California Droughts](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/airborne-fungus-boosted-by-california-droughts/) - Valley fever is an emerging fungal disease in the western United States that most often causes flu-like symptoms, but can also cause dangerous or even deadly complications. By analyzing data on reported cases of Valley fever in California, which have increased dramatically over the last two decades, researchers from University of California San Diego and
- [Caltech-Designed Smart Mask Monitors Breath for Signs of Health](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/caltech-designed-smart-mask-monitors-breath-for-signs-of-health/) - Personalized wearable devices that monitor people's health are on the rise. From watches to patches and other types of sensors, these smart devices can monitor heart activity, inflammation levels, and more to help patients better manage their health from their own homes. Now, a new type of wearable device can be added to the list:
- [New Study Examines COVID-19 Mandates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-study-examines-covid-19-mandates/) - At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, governments and healthcare centers across the country faced a difficult but important question: Should healthcare workers be required to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine? It was an economic quandary as much as an ethical one. Vaccine mandates could cause reductions in staff, either from workers missing time
- [Analysis Shows How Therapeutics Were Portrayed in the Media During the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/analysis-shows-how-therapeutics-were-portrayed-in-the-media-during-the-early-phase-of-covid-19-pandemic/) - A new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is shedding light on how scientific evidence and the uncertainty surrounding three unproven therapeutics were portrayed by the U.S. news media during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings appear online in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Infodemiology. For the
- [What to Know About Eastern Equine Encephalitis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-to-know-about-eastern-equine-encephalitis/) - With reporting this week of a Massachusetts man being infected with the rare mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, you may wonder how serious is this virus and do you need to be concerned about it while trying to enjoy the outdoors these last few weeks of summer. Sukrut Dwivedi, DO, infectious diseases section chief
- [What Enables Herpes Simplex Virus to Become Impervious to Drugs?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-enables-herpes-simplex-virus-to-become-impervious-to-drugs/) - All organisms - from fungi to mammals - have the capacity to evolve and adapt to their environments. But viruses are master shapeshifters with an ability to mutate greater than any other organism. As a result, they can evade treatments or acquire resistance to once-effective antiviral medications. Working with herpes simplex virus (HSV), a new
- [Autofluorescence Imaging Can Help Identify Bacteria in Wounds for Better Infection Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/autofluorescence-imaging-can-help-identify-bacteria-in-wounds-for-better-infection-prevention/) - More than 6.5 million Americans experience chronic wounds - wounds that do not heal after a few months. Almost all such wounds contain bacteria, which, if not detected and removed, can lead to severe infection and resulting complications, including amputation if a limb is involved. This is especially true for patients with diabetic foot ulcers
- [Gut Bacteria Composition Influences Rotavirus Vaccine Efficacy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/gut-bacteria-composition-influences-rotavirus-vaccine-efficacy/) - Certain types of gut bacteria can hinder the efficacy of the rotavirus vaccine, according to researchers in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University. The findings, led by Drs. Vu L. Ngo and Andrew T. Gewirtz, published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, indicate that gut microbiota, particularly the trillions
- [Almost Half of FDA-Approved AI Medical Devices are Not Trained on Real Patient Data](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/almost-half-of-fda-approved-ai-medical-devices-are-not-trained-on-real-patient-data/) - Artificial intelligence (AI) has practically limitless applications in healthcare, ranging from auto-drafting patient messages in MyChart to optimizing organ transplantation and improving tumor removal accuracy. Despite their potential benefit to doctors and patients alike, these tools have been met with skepticism because of patient privacy concerns, the possibility of bias, and device accuracy. In response
- [High-Dose and Adjuvanted Flu Vaccines Provided Better Protection for Seniors, Study Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/high-dose-and-adjuvanted-flu-vaccines-provided-better-protection-for-seniors-study-says/) - High-dose and adjuvanted influenza (flu) vaccines boosted protection against flu symptoms and hospitalization for people 65 years and older during the 2022-2023 flu season compared to the standard flu vaccine. The study, "Comparative effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in preventing influenza-related medical encounters and hospitalizations in the 2022-2023 influenza season among adults ≥65 years of
- [Researchers Awarded Grant to Develop Decision-Support Technology for Long-term Care Facilities](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-awarded-grant-to-develop-decision-support-technology-for-long-term-care-facilities/) - Researchers from the University of Colorado College of Nursing and CU School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical Campus were awarded a $1.35 million grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to design and implement technologies that improve resident safety and employee wellbeing at long-term care facilities. "Long-term care facilities in the
- [Building a COMPASS to Navigate Future Pandemics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/building-a-compass-to-navigate-future-pandemics/) - Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 don't respect boundaries, moving between species and continents and leaving destruction as they go. Beating the next pathogen with pandemic potential means getting good at crossing borders between fields of study, between research universities, and between scientists and the wider community. An $18 million grant announced by the U.S. National Science Foundation
- [Halting the Dangerous Neurological Effects of the Powassan Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/halting-the-dangerous-neurological-effects-of-the-powassan-virus/) - While Lyme disease is the most recognized and prevalent tick-borne disease in the United States, other infections transmitted through tick bites can be equally or even more dangerous. One of these is the Powassan virus (POWV). Erich Mackow, PhD, an internationally recognized virologist at Stony Brook University, is conducting research in an attempt to uncover
- [Study Finds Long-COVID Affects Adolescents Differently Than Younger Children](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-long-covid-affects-adolescents-differently-than-younger-children/) - Scientists investigating long-COVID in youth found similar but distinguishable patterns between school-age children (ages 6-11 years) and adolescents (ages 12-17 years) and identified their most common symptoms. The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in JAMA, comes from research conducted through the NIH's Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative,
- [Childhood Smallpox Vaccination Could Offer Protection Against Monkeypox Clade II Viruses, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/childhood-smallpox-vaccination-could-offer-protection-against-monkeypox-clade-ii-viruses-study-finds/) - A study by co-authors from the ECDC, WHO and national public health institutes in four European countries, and published in Eurosurveillance, has found that prior smallpox vaccination in childhood could protect against infections caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade II in men. However, the estimated degree of protection varied among countries, highlighting the need for
- [Study Examines Performance of Antiviral Tecovirimat in Mpox-Endemic Country](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-examines-performance-of-antiviral-tecovirimat-in-mpox-endemic-country/) - The antiviral drug tecovirimat did not reduce the duration of mpox lesions among children and adults with clade I mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), based on an initial analysis of data from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. However, the study's 1.7% overall mortality among enrollees, regardless of whether they received the drug
- [Study Highlights Sex Differences in Notified Infectious Disease Cases Across Europe](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-highlights-sex-differences-in-notified-infectious-disease-cases-across-europe/) - A study published in Eurosurveillance analyzing 5.5 million cases of infectious diseases in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) over 10 years has found important differences in the relative proportion of notified male versus female cases for several diseases. The proportion of males ranged on average from 40-45% for pertussis and Shiga toxin-producing Escherischia coli
- [Reducing Inappropriate IV Use to Cut Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/reducing-inappropriate-iv-use-to-cut-infections/) - Research led by Amsterdam UMC across more than five years and 1,100 patients has demonstrated a strategy for reducing inappropriate IV use by one-third, an effect that was sustained across the five-year period. This should also lead to reduction in the associated infections that effect 1 in 10 patients. These results were published in The
- [Using Temporary Nurses Doesn’t Mitigate Deaths Linked to Staff Shortages](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/using-temporary-nurses-doesnt-mitigate-deaths-linked-to-staff-shortages/) - Researchers found that avoiding low nurse staffing levels lowers the risk of death among patients - particularly even when drafting in temporary registered nurses to maintain staffing levels. However, despite this, the risk of death remains elevated compared to when the ward is fully staffed by permanent nurses. Findings from the study, funded by the
- [T Helper Cells May be the Key to Improving Annual Influenza Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/t-helper-cells-may-be-the-key-to-improving-annual-influenza-vaccines/) - Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine have discovered why the flu vaccine can perform poorly. They found that a specific type of immune cell, called T follicular helper cells, indirectly controls the anti-influenza response. These helper cells often "see" the wrong parts of the virus, likely leading to
- [WHO Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/who-declares-mpox-outbreak-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern/) - World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). Ghebreyesus's declaration came on the advice of an
- [CDC Issues Alert on Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-issues-alert-on-increase-in-human-parvovirus-b19-activity-in-the-u-s/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory to notify healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the public about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity in the United States. Parvovirus B19 is a seasonal respiratory virus that is transmitted through respiratory droplets by people with symptomatic or asymptomatic infection.
- [New Imaging Method Detects Fungal Infections Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus Sooner](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-imaging-method-detects-fungal-infections-caused-by-aspergillus-fumigatus-sooner/) - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Center and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have developed and tested a new imaging method that will allow specific detection of Aspergillus fumigatus fungal infections in a timely manner in the future, without the need for invasive procedures. Delays in diagnosing fungal infections caused
- [Common Lab Tests Aren’t Reliable for Diagnosing Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/common-lab-tests-arent-reliable-for-diagnosing-long-covid/) - A new study found that most routine laboratory tests are not reliable for diagnosing Long-COVID, also known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). The study, published today in Annals of Internal Medicine, found no reliable biomarker among 25 routine clinical laboratory values for prior infection, PASC or specific types of PASC clusters. This suggests
- [Sink Basins Harbor Biofilms, Researchers Find](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sink-basins-harbor-biofilms-researchers-find/) - Sink basins are hotspots for microbes that can cause illnesses including pneumonia, Legionnaires' disease and wound infections, a new study from Flinders University warns. The environmental health study found handbasin biofilms contained a diverse range of pathogens including microbes typically found in water, and other pathogens not found in water. "The study also found that
- [Researchers Seek to Understand How Hormones Impact Influenza in Men and Women](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-seek-to-understand-how-hormones-impact-influenza-in-men-and-women/) - Turns out that there is a biological reason why women and men suffer viral infections like influenza differently - and a team of engineers, immunologists, and virologists at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Wisconsin, Madison are extending their research to better understand why and how to design better, possible sex-specific treatments. Jason Shoemaker,
- [Poll Shows Which Health Topics Concern Older Adults Most](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/poll-shows-which-health-topics-concern-older-adults-most/) - More than half of the people who voted in the 2020 election were age 50 and older, making this age group a key demographic for candidates up and down the ballot. Now, a new study shows what issues top their lists of health-related concerns going into this November's election. Five of the top six issues
- [State COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Uptake Among U.S. Healthcare Workers](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/state-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-uptake-among-u-s-healthcare-workers/) - Seventeen states introduced COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers (HCWs) in mid-2021. Prior research on the effect of these mandates was centered on the nursing home sector, and more evidence is needed for their effect on the entire HCW population. Wang, et al. (2024) sought to examine the association between state COVID-19 vaccine mandates for
- [CPE Colonization Status Does Not Impact Hospital Admission Frequency or Timing, Researchers Find](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cpe-colonization-status-does-not-impact-hospital-admission-frequency-or-timing-researchers-find/) - Hospitals in any given region can be considered as part of a network, where facilities are connected to one another - and hospital pathogens potentially spread - through the movement of patients between them. Lydeamore, et al. (2024) sought to describe the hospital admission patterns of patients known to be colonized with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE),
- [Which Strains of Tuberculosis are Most Infectious?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/which-strains-of-tuberculosis-are-most-infectious/) - For some forms of tuberculosis, the chances that an exposed person will get infected depend on whether the individual and the bacteria share a hometown, according to a new study comparing how different strains move through mixed populations in cosmopolitan cities. Results of the research, led by Harvard Medical School scientists and published Aug. 1
- [Oral Antibiotics Associated With a Risk of Serious Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/oral-antibiotics-associated-with-a-risk-of-serious-cutaneous-adverse-drug-reactions/) - Serious cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) are potentially life-threatening drug hypersensitivity reactions involving the skin and internal organs. Antibiotics are a recognized cause of these reactions, but no studies have compared relative risks across antibiotic classes. Lee, et al. (2024) sought to explore the risk of serious cADRs associated with commonly prescribed oral antibiotics, and
- [Mpox Threat Returns but Public Knowledge About it Has Declined](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mpox-threat-returns-but-public-knowledge-about-it-has-declined/) - It has been two years since the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over an outbreak of mpox, a disease endemic to Africa that had spread to scores of countries. Now, in the summer of 2024, a deadlier version of the infectious disease has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to other
- [Prioritizing the Elderly for COVID-19 Boosters Reduces Overall Deaths](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/prioritizing-the-elderly-for-covid-19-boosters-reduces-overall-deaths/) - When COVID-19 booster vaccines are in short supply, prioritizing the elderly over other age groups for booster vaccination results in the lowest loss of life, reports Robin Thompson at the University of Oxford and colleagues, in a new study published August 8 in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology. Despite widespread vaccination against the virus
- [Microbes Conquer the Next Extreme Environment: Your Microwave](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbes-conquer-the-next-extreme-environment-your-microwave/) - Since the industrial revolution, microbes have successfully colonized one novel type of habitat after another: for example marine oil spills, plastic floating in the oceans, industrial brownfields, and even the interior of the International Space Station. However, it turns out that one extreme environment harboring a specialized community of highly adapted microbes is much closer
- [Biocides Can Help Combat Antibiotic Resistance but Appropriate Use is Vital, Scientists Say](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/biocides-can-help-combat-antibiotic-resistance-but-appropriate-use-is-vital-scientists-say/) - In a new paper published in the journal Sustainable Microbiology, "Sustainable application of biocides to promote hygiene and minimise antimicrobial resistance" scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK aimed to present an objective assessment of the potential contribution of microbiocides -- widely used non-antibiotic antimicrobials -- to sustainability. "Having been involved in biocide
- [Superbugs Spread to Family Members of Recently Hospitalized Patients](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/superbugs-spread-to-family-members-of-recently-hospitalized-patients/) - Family members of patients recently discharged from the hospital may have a higher risk of getting an antibiotic-resistant infection, often called a superbug, even if the patient was not diagnosed with the same infection, suggesting hospitals play a role in the community spread of resistant bacteria, according to study in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
- [The August 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-august-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - In this issue, we explore the infection prevention and control-related challenges related to animal-assisted therapy and the potential for the transmission of infectious agents. To access the issue, CLICK HERE
- [Hospital Pneumonia Diagnoses are Uncertain, Revised More Than Half the Time, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospital-pneumonia-diagnoses-are-uncertain-revised-more-than-half-the-time-study-finds/) - Pneumonia diagnoses are marked by pronounced uncertainty, an AI-based analysis of over 2 million hospital visits has found. More than half the time, a pneumonia diagnosis made in the hospital will change from a patient's entrance to their discharge-either because someone who was initially diagnosed with pneumonia ended up with a different final diagnosis, or
- [Study Reveals How Fear and Vaccine Hesitancy Could Fuel Conspiracy Beliefs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-how-fear-and-vaccine-hesitancy-could-fuel-conspiracy-beliefs/) - New research has shown that fear around vaccination can increase vaccine hesitancy, where conspiracy beliefs may then be used to justify not vaccinating, with these findings likely helping to inform more effective public health messaging. Dr. Daniel Jolley, from the University of Nottingham's School of Psychology, along with Dr. Lee Shepherd and Anna Maughan from
- [Scientists Probe Molecular Cause of COVID-19 Related Diarrhea](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-probe-molecular-cause-of-covid-19-related-diarrhea/) - Working with human stem cells that form a kind of "mini intestine-in-a-dish," Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have found several molecular mechanisms for COVID-19-related diarrhea, suggesting potential ways to control it. Details of the experiments in a model of human intestinal tissue, called enteroids, are described on July 30 in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology
- [Increased Ventilation Not Effective in Reducing Flu Virus Spread in Daycare, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/increased-ventilation-not-effective-in-reducing-flu-virus-spread-in-daycare-study-finds/) - Increasing ventilation in childcare settings may not always be effective at preventing flu virus spread, according to a new study published by a team of researchers at Emory University, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Virginia Tech. The spread of flu viruses is commonly studied in animal models that don't mimic the real-life scenarios
- [The Fate of a Mutating Virus Offers Important Clues for Pandemic Preparedness](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-fate-of-a-mutating-virus-offers-important-clues-for-pandemic-preparedness/) - The story of the rise and fall of western equine encephalitis as a lethal disease offers essential lessons about how a pathogen can gain or lose its ability to jump from animals to humans. That story is captured in newly published research from Harvard Medical School that identifies the mechanisms the western equine encephalitis virus
- [Illicit Fentanyl Use Linked to Increased Risk of Hepatitis C Among People Who Use Drugs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/illicit-fentanyl-use-linked-to-increased-risk-of-hepatitis-c-among-people-who-use-drugs/) - An international team of researchers from University of California San Diego and el Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Mexico have revealed a significant association between the use of illicit fentanyl and the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico. The findings, published in
- [Study Shows Ways to Improve Health Alerts](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-ways-to-improve-health-alerts/) - When seemingly healthy people receive an alert from a wearable sensor telling them they might have a respiratory virus-based on small changes in their unique heartrate, sleep and activity patterns-what do they do? According to a new study by Scripps Research scientists carried out at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, only a quarter of
- [Little Trust in Dr. ChatGPT, Research Reveals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/little-trust-in-dr-chatgpt-research-reveals/) - People used to ask Dr. Google if they wanted to know whether their symptoms indicate a mild stomach upset or terminal cancer; today, they are increasingly turning to ChatGPT. As a result, doctors are complaining about patients who come into their consulting rooms with ready-made diagnoses from the internet and are difficult to convince that
- [Experts Outline Seven Steps to Achieving the Right to Clean Indoor Air Post-Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-outline-seven-steps-to-achieving-the-right-to-clean-indoor-air-post-pandemic/) - Professor Lidia Morawska, director of THRIVE, from Queensland University of Technology (QUT)'s School of School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, said the rapid global spread of Covid-19 had soon made it clear the world was unprepared to respond appropriately. "In the early days of the pandemic the World Health Organisation and many national health authorities
- [An Isolated Viral Load Test May Generate False Positive Results for People Using Long-Acting PrEP](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/an-isolated-viral-load-test-may-generate-false-positive-results-for-people-using-long-acting-prep/) - A single laboratory-based HIV viral load test used by U.S. clinicians who provide people with long-acting, injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) did not reliably detect HIV in a multi-country study. In the study, a single positive viral load test was frequently found to be a false positive result. However, a second viral load
- [COVID-19 Pandemic Slowed Progress Toward Health-Related Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-pandemic-slowed-progress-toward-health-related-sustainable-development-goals/) - The COVID-19 pandemic significantly widened existing economic and health disparities between wealthy and low-income countries and slowed progress toward health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new study published July 24, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Wanessa Miranda of Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and colleagues. The global SDGs were
- [Study Says Wearing a Face Mask in Public Spaces Has a Moderate Effect on Respiratory Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-says-wearing-a-face-mask-in-public-spaces-has-a-moderate-effect-on-respiratory-transmission/) - Wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces reduces the risk of self-reported respiratory symptoms, finds a trial of adults in Norway published by The BMJ today. The effect was moderate -- a 3.2% reduction in symptoms, equivalent to around 3,300 fewer infections per 100,000 people -- but the researchers say these results support the
- [Latest Variants of H5N1 Influenza are Better at Evading Antibodies, Including Those of Humans](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/latest-variants-of-h5n1-influenza-are-better-at-evading-antibodies-including-those-of-humans/) - In a new study led by UNC Charlotte researchers from the Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) and the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis, University scholars have found evidence that the latest variants of H5N1 influenza - commonly known as avian or bird flu - are better at evading
- [Research Finds No Difference in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Caused by COVID-19 and Other Acute Illnesses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-finds-no-difference-in-myalgic-encephalomyelitis-caused-by-covid-19-and-other-acute-illnesses/) - A new study led by UCLA finds that rates of subsequent myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) following an acute illness were roughly the same between people whose acute illness was due to COVID-19 and those who did not have COVID-19. Researchers of the large, multi-site study found a 3% to 4% prevalence of ME/CFS-like illness
- [Study Shows Post-COVID Conditions in Primary Care Comparable to Flu, Lower Than Subspecialty and Hospital Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-post-covid-conditions-in-primary-care-comparable-to-flu-lower-than-subspecialty-and-hospital-settings/) - COVID-19 has been considered a condition leading to other post-COVID chronic conditions frequently diagnosed in the primary care setting. This study examines the prevalence of post-COVID conditions among adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 across the United States from 2020-2021. The study then compares the post-COVID conditions among those patients to patients with influenza-like illness and
- [Decoding Early Lyme Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/decoding-early-lyme-disease/) - Every year in the United States, an estimated 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. The estimate comes from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. The best health outcomes are most likely when diagnosis is made within the first weeks of infection. If
- [SARS-CoV-2 Increases Maternal Deaths From Non-Respiratory Causes, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sars-cov-2-increases-maternal-deaths-from-non-respiratory-causes-study-finds/) - During the peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was an increase in maternal mortality in Chile. This is confirmed by a natural population experiment based on data from the Department of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. The research was published in PLOS Global Public Health. In a collaborative study
- [OTC Nasal Sprays Could Inhibit Coughs and Colds, Reduce Antibiotic Use, Trial Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/otc-nasal-sprays-could-inhibit-coughs-and-colds-reduce-antibiotic-use-trial-finds/) - Widely available over-the counter nasal sprays could keep upper respiratory tract infections -- such as colds, chest infections, flu, sore throat, and sinus infections -- at bay, and prevent full-blown symptoms from developing, one of the largest trials to date to test their effectiveness finds. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 14,000 adults, found
- [Hospital-Onset SARS-CoV-2 Infection Associated With Significant Morbidity and Mortality During Omicron Era, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospital-onset-sars-cov-2-infection-associated-with-significant-morbidity-and-mortality-during-omicron-era-study-suggests/) - A retrospective matched cohort study found that SARS-CoV-2 infections acquired while in the hospital continue to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, even during the Omicron era. These findings suggest that hospitals should take measures to prevent in-hospital SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly when community SARS-CoV-2 rates are elevated. The findings are published in Annals of
- [Why Experts are Watching the H5N1 Bird Flu So Closely](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/why-experts-are-watching-the-h5n1-bird-flu-so-closely/) - Several people started to develop concerning symptoms after working with dairy cows, adding to headlines that had already become worrisome. Bird flu, they said. For decades, medical scientists have warned of the potentially cataclysmic dangers of variants of so-called avian flu. From antiquity to as recently as 15 years ago, outbreaks of bird flu have
- [Registered Nurse Employment Plans and Workplace Assessments in a State of Flux, Fuels Burnout](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/registered-nurse-employment-plans-and-workplace-assessments-in-a-state-of-flux-fuels-burnout/) - The U.S. registered nurse (RN) workforce is in flux, with high rates of burnout, intention to leave, and vacancies. Rapid, repeated assessments of the nursing workforce can help hospital executives and policymakers enact effective recruitment and retention strategies. Friese, et al. (2024) sought to identify changes in practicing RNs' employment plans and workplace assessments between
- [Researchers Measure the Resilience, Adaptability of the Healthcare System to COVID-19 Disruptions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-measure-the-resilience-adaptability-of-the-healthcare-system-to-covid-19-disruptions/) - Among the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented, disruptions in healthcare were among the most impactful. The pandemic was large-scale, lasted over two years, and resulted in millions of hospitalizations and 1.2 million deaths in the United States alone. Meanwhile, routine medical services were affected by the pandemic: Patients avoided health care visits for
- [Rising Antimicrobial Resistance in Certain Salmonella Serovars Isolated From Retail Chicken Meat](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rising-antimicrobial-resistance-in-certain-salmonella-serovars-isolated-from-retail-chicken-meat/) - Salmonella infections are a major public health issue in the United States, causing over 1.3 million illnesses annually. These infections are a leading cause of foodborne illness, often traced back to raw or undercooked poultry meat and eggs. Emerging antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella isolates found in retail chicken meat is a growing concern, the trends
- [Study Shows Promise for a Universal Influenza Vaccine](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-promise-for-a-universal-influenza-vaccine/) - New research led by Oregon Health & Science University reveals a promising approach to developing a universal influenza vaccine - a so-called "one and done" vaccine that confers lifetime immunity against an evolving virus. The study, published today in the journal Nature Communications, tested an OHSU-developed vaccine platform against the virus considered most likely to
- [Risk of Long-COVID Declined Over the Course of the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/risk-of-long-covid-declined-over-the-course-of-the-pandemic/) - The risk of developing long COVID has decreased significantly over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of data led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Researchers attributed about 70% of the risk reduction to vaccination against COVID-19 and 30% to changes over time, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus's evolving
- [CDC Releases New Data on Antimicrobial Resistance Threats in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-releases-new-data-on-antimicrobial-resistance-threats-in-the-u-s/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces it has used new data to update the United States (U.S.) burden of seven antimicrobial-resistant pathogens typically found in healthcare settings. The CDC previously reported that the burden of these pathogens increased in the U.S. in 2020 in the COVID-19 Impact Report. The new data describe
- [Mobile Phone Data Help Scientists Track Pathogen Spread and Evolution of Superbugs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mobile-phone-data-help-scientists-track-pathogen-spread-and-evolution-of-superbugs/) - Combining genomic data and human travel patterns in South Africa has revealed key insights into the spread, evolution, and resistance patterns of a major bacterium behind pneumonia and meningitis globally. The approach combines a pathogen's genomic data over 14 years with human travel patterns taken from anonymized mobile phone data during the period January 2020
- [Study Unveils Complexity of Zoonotic Transmission Chains](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-unveils-complexity-of-zoonotic-transmission-chains/) - Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna have dissected the complex interactions involved in zoonoses, which affect worldwide over two billion people annually. They introduce the concept of a "zoonotic web," a detailed network representation of the relationships between zoonotic agents, their hosts, vectors, food sources, and the environment.
- [Most Salmonella Illnesses From Chicken Caused by a Few Products With High Levels of Virulent Strains](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/most-salmonella-illnesses-from-chicken-caused-by-a-few-products-with-high-levels-of-virulent-strains/) - Raw poultry is one of the main causes of Salmonella poisoning, which affects thousands of people in the U.S. every year. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows that few products with high levels of very virulent Salmonella strains are responsible for most of the illnesses from raw chicken parts. The researchers
- [Features of H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Dairy Cows May Facilitate Infection, Transmission in Mammals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/features-of-h5n1-influenza-viruses-in-dairy-cows-may-facilitate-infection-transmission-in-mammals/) - A series of experiments with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) viruses circulating in infected U.S. dairy cattle found that viruses derived from lactating dairy cattle induced severe disease in mice and ferrets when administered via intranasal inoculation. The virus from the H5N1-infected cows bound to both avian (bird) and human-type cellular receptors, but,
- [Study Suggests Re-infections From SARS-CoV-2 Likely Have Similar Severity as Original Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-re-infections-from-sars-cov-2-likely-have-similar-severity-as-original-infection/) - Using health data from almost 213,000 Americans who experienced reinfections, researchers have found that severe infections from the virus that causes COVID-19 tend to foreshadow similar severity of infection the next time a person contracts the disease. Additionally, scientists discovered that long-COVID was more likely to occur after a first infection compared to a re-infection.
- [Scientists Identify the Priority Pathogens for Wastewater Surveillance Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-identify-the-priority-pathogens-for-wastewater-surveillance-ahead-of-the-paris-2024-olympic-and-paralympic-games/) - The study by researchers from the French national public health institute aimed to identify priority pathogens that could be suitable for wastewater surveillance (WWS) during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place from July 26 to August11 and August 28 to September 8, respectively. The pathogens were evaluated using a Delphi method which
- [COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing Data Unveils Detailed Epidemic Dynamics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-digital-contact-tracing-data-unveils-detailed-epidemic-dynamics/) - Data from digital contact tracing, using examples from the National Health Service (NHS) COVID-19 app for England and Wales, has revealed epidemic dynamics in unprecedented detail. The findings show that digital contact tracing can provide insights with unprecedented time resolution, in addition to its primary purpose of reducing transmission. "Digital tools are likely to play
- [People with Long-COVID Three Times More Likely to Leave Work](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/people-with-long-covid-three-times-more-likely-to-leave-work/) - A study of more than 9,000 people who were employed before the pandemic has found that people with Long-COVID are at three times higher risk of leaving employment compared to those without COVID symptoms. The study, from the University of Birmingham and Keele University and published in PLOS One, has found that those with Long-COVID
- [Active Substance for the Prevention of Chlamydial Infections is Identified](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/active-substance-for-the-prevention-of-chlamydial-infections-is-identified/) - To find previously unknown substances for the treatment of chlamydial infections, the scientific team led by Georg Stary of the Department of Dermatology at MedUni Vienna, CeMM of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, screened a comprehensive compilation of 2,200 active substances. While 28 of these significantly reduced the growth of chlamydia, one of the substances
- [Public Health Researchers Detail a Way Forward Post-Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/public-health-researchers-detail-a-way-forward-post-pandemic/) - In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. public health system must focus on critical questions of accountability, politicization and updating data systems if it is to do its job well and maintain the trust of the American people, according to a new report from the Colorado School of Public Health. The report, authored
- [NIH Funds Consortium to Accelerate Development of New TB Treatments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-funds-consortium-to-accelerate-development-of-new-tb-treatments/) - A new consortium co-led by Weill Cornell Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $31 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to accelerate the development of faster, more effective treatment regimens for tuberculosis (TB). Investigators at the University of California, San Francisco; Johns Hopkins Medicine; and Vanderbilt
- [Machine Learning Can Aid Early Identification of MDRO Risks in ICU Patients, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/machine-learning-can-aid-early-identification-of-mdro-risks-in-icu-patients-study-suggests/) - Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) pose a significant threat to public health. Intensive care units (ICU), characterized by the extensive use of antimicrobial agents and a high prevalence of bacterial resistance, are hotspots for MDRO proliferation. Timely identification of patients at high risk for MDRO can aid in curbing transmission, enhancing patient outcomes, and maintaining the cleanliness
- [Investigators Suggest Isolation of Suspected COVID-19 Patients in Multiple-Bed Rooms Could be a Safe Strategy](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-suggest-isolation-of-suspected-covid-19-patients-in-multiple-bed-rooms-could-be-a-safe-strategy/) - Ragozzino, et al. (2024) say that implementation of isolation precautions for patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pending test results is resource-intensive. Due to the limited availability of single-bed rooms at their institution, the investigators isolated patients with suspected COVID-19 together with patients without suspected COVID-19 on-site in multiple-bed rooms until SARS-CoV-2-test results
- [Researchers Discover New Pathway in Immune Defense](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-discover-new-pathway-in-immune-defense/) - Monocytes, a special type of white blood cell, secrete cytokines as inflammatory messengers that are crucial for an appropriate immune response. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have now discovered that platelets, also known as thrombocytes, communicate with monocytes and increase their inflammatory capacity. By understanding the platelet-monocyte interaction,
- [New Blood-Free Tetanus Test Could Help Identify Global Immunity Gaps](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-blood-free-tetanus-test-could-help-identify-global-immunity-gaps/) - University of Birmingham experts are developing a non-invasive saliva test that within 15 minutes might identify children across the globe missing immunity to tetanus who may also have missed out on essential vaccines. Life-saving childhood vaccinations fail to reach more than 20 million children worldwide and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in global coverage of diphtheria-tetanus
- [Researchers Investigate the Global Virosphere](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-the-global-virosphere/) - Tens of millions of still-unknown or misunderstood viruses can cause diseases - including new pandemics - and affect the health of valuable terrestrial and marine environments. Now a new pipeline to investigate the 'virosphere,' or all the genomes of viruses and bacteriophages (viruses that attack bacteria) of the world, has been developed by an international
- [Treatment With a Mixture of Antimicrobial Peptides Can Impede Antibiotic Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/treatment-with-a-mixture-of-antimicrobial-peptides-can-impede-antibiotic-resistance/) - A common infection-causing bacteria was much less likely to evolve antibiotic resistance when treated with a mixture of antimicrobial peptides rather than a single peptide, making these mixtures a viable strategy for developing new antibiotic treatments. Jens Rolff of the Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany, and colleagues report these findings in a new study published July
- [The July 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-july-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - In this issue we report on what's new and notable in IP&C, presenting highlights from key sessions at the annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), including updates from the APIC and SHEA presidents, the APIC Practice Guidance Committee, the Joint Commission, and much more. To access the issue,
- [Common Respiratory Infections May Have Protected Children From COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/common-respiratory-infections-may-have-protected-children-from-covid-19/) - Analyzing nasal swabs taken during the pandemic, researchers at Yale School of Medicine suggest that the frequent presence of other viruses and bacteria may have helped to protect children from the worst effects of COVID-19 by boosting their immune systems. Their results were published July 1 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM). Children are
- [NIH-Sponsored Trial of Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine Opens](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-sponsored-trial-of-nasal-covid-19-vaccine-opens/) - A Phase 1 trial testing the safety of an experimental nasal vaccine that may provide enhanced breadth of protection against emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is now enrolling healthy adults at three sites in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is sponsoring the first-in-human trial of the investigational
- [Herpes Infections Take Major Economic Toll Globally, Research Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/herpes-infections-take-major-economic-toll-globally-research-shows/) - Genital herpes infections and their related complications lead to billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses globally, according to the first-ever global estimates of the economic costs of these conditions. The paper, published July 1 in the journal BMC Global and Public Health, calls for greater investment in prevention of herpes transmission, including
- [Tax on Antibiotics Could Help Tackle Threat of Drug Resistance, Economists Assert](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tax-on-antibiotics-could-help-tackle-threat-of-drug-resistance-economists-assert/) - Taxing certain antibiotics could help efforts to tackle the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance in humans, according to a new study by the University of East Anglia's Center for Competition Policy, Loughborough University and E.CA Economics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global risk, causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually. A key AMR report previously
- [Study Finds Healthcare Providers Would Recommend Human Papillomavirus Self-Collection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-healthcare-providers-would-recommend-human-papillomavirus-self-collection/) - In 2019, more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed and upwards of 4,000 patients died in the U.S. The causal link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer is well documented. Cervical cancer screening guidelines are currently in the review process for updates. On May 15, 2024, the
- [Study Suggests Regular Vaccine Boosts May Help the Immunocompromised Fight COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-regular-vaccine-boosts-may-help-the-immunocompromised-fight-covid-19/) - People who have received solid organ transplants and take immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection are among those most susceptible to the damaging effects of COVID-19, including breakthrough infections, severe illness, hospitalization and death. Particularly dangerous for them has been the XBB.1.5 subvariant of the omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. That's because
- [H5N1 Virus Remains Stable on Milking Equipment for at Least One Hour, Research Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/h5n1-virus-remains-stable-on-milking-equipment-for-at-least-one-hour-research-finds/) - H5N1 virus in unpasteurized milk is stable on metal and rubber components of commercial milking equipment for at least one hour, increasing its potential to infect people and other animals, report researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Emory University in Emerging Infectious Diseases. The study underscores the heightened risk of bird
- [CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-recommends-updated-2024-2025-covid-19-and-flu-vaccines-for-fall-winter-virus-season/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines and the updated 2024-2025 flu vaccines to protect against severe COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter. It is safe to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit. Data continue to show the importance of vaccination to protect
- [CDC Updates RSV Vaccination Recommendation for Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-updates-rsv-vaccination-recommendation-for-adults/) - For the upcoming respiratory virus season, CDC recommends everyone age 75 and older receive the RSV vaccine The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendation for the use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines in people ages 60 and older. For this upcoming respiratory virus season, CDC recommends: • Everyone ages
- [First Specific PET Scan for TB Could Enable More Effective Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/first-specific-pet-scan-for-tb-could-enable-more-effective-treatment/) - A more accurate way to scan for tuberculosis (TB) has been developed by UK and US researchers, using positron emission tomography (PET). The team, from the Rosalind Franklin Institute, the Universities of Oxford and Pittsburgh and the National Institutes of Health in the USA, have developed a new radiotracer, which is taken up by live
- [Comparing Automated Surveillance Systems for Detection of Pathogen-Related Clusters in Healthcare Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/comparing-automated-surveillance-systems-for-detection-of-pathogen-related-clusters-in-healthcare-settings/) - Detection of pathogen-related clusters within a hospital is key to early intervention to prevent onward transmission. Various automated surveillance methods for outbreak detection have been implemented in hospital settings. However, direct comparison is difficult due to heterogenicity of data sources and methodologies. In the hospital setting, Sim, et al. (2024) assess the performance of three
- [Infectious Disease Physician Advises How to Stay Healthy When Flying](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infectious-disease-physician-advises-how-to-stay-healthy-when-flying/) - The TSA just reported an all-time high for the number of airline travelers screened, and major U.S. airlines expect to transport 271 million passengers this summer, a 6.3 percent increase from last year. Board-certified infectious disease physician Carl Abraham, MD, assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), arms passengers
- [Scientists Discover a Potential Vaccine to Prevent TB in People of All Ages](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-discover-a-potential-vaccine-to-prevent-tb-in-people-of-all-ages/) - Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of death by infectious disease globally, with South Africa having one of the highest incidence rates in the world. While the BCG vaccine used to prevent TB is widely available for infants, no vaccine has shown lasting protection. The BCG is also the only existing effective vaccine. "South Africa
- [Survey Finds Many Have Misconceptions About Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/survey-finds-many-have-misconceptions-about-sexually-transmitted-infection-risk/) - Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise in the U.S., including an 80% increase in syphilis over a five-year period, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A new national survey by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds many Americans have misconceptions on how STIs are spread and who should
- [Parasite-Carrying Kissing Bugs Found in Delaware](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/parasite-carrying-kissing-bugs-found-in-delaware/) - In July 2023, a New Castle County resident was getting ready for bed when they pulled back their comforter and saw a large black and orange insect sitting on their pillow. Three months later, the same resident found another specimen of the same insect on a cookie sheet in their kitchen. It was similar to
- [Researchers Shed Light on Cause of 'Happy Hypoxia' in COVID-19 Patients](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-shed-light-on-cause-of-happy-hypoxia-in-covid-19-patients/) - While many serious cases of COVID-19 are marked by respiratory distress and dangerously low blood oxygen levels - a condition referred to as hypoxia - the occurrence of "silent or happy hypoxia" affecting a subset of patients has puzzled experts since the pandemic's onset. Now, computational modeling research spearheaded at New Jersey Institute of Technology
- [Social Media Use Associated With More Frequent Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/social-media-use-associated-with-more-frequent-vaccination/) - Both scholars and journalists have raised concerns that social media use might push down vaccination rates by spreading misinformation about vaccines. The relationship between social media use and vaccine uptake has never been properly examined, however. In a new paper, researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) find that more social media use actually
- [Rising Healthcare Prices are Driving Unemployment and Job Losses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rising-healthcare-prices-are-driving-unemployment-and-job-losses/) - Rising healthcare prices in the U.S. are leading employers outside the healthcare sector to reduce their payroll and decrease their number of employees, according to a new study co-authored by Yale economist Zack Cooper. The study, published June 24 as a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), found that when healthcare
- [Study Suggests Hepatitis E May be a Sexually Transmitted Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-hepatitis-e-may-be-a-sexually-transmitted-infection/) - Discovering that hepatitis E virus is associated with sperm in pigs suggests the virus may be both sexually transmitted and linked to male infertility, according to a new study. Hepatitis E (HEV) is the leading cause of the acute viral liver infection in humans worldwide, mostly in developing regions where sanitation is poor. The virus
- [Cannabis Use Tied to Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cannabis-use-tied-to-increased-risk-of-severe-covid-19/) - As the deadly disease that came to be known as COVID-19 started spreading in late 2019, scientists rushed to answer a critical question: Who is most at risk? They quickly recognized that a handful of characteristics - including age, smoking history, high body mass index (BMI) and the presence of other diseases such as diabetes
- [Could Auto-Antibodies be Linked to Severe COVID-19?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-auto-antibodies-be-linked-to-severe-covid-19/) - Even though COVID-19 manifests as a mild and short-lived disease in most people, some suffer extremely severe symptoms; in the worst cases, these patients die due to complications such as respiratory failure or thromboembolism. It is well-known that factors such as age and underlying medical conditions like diabetes or immunodeficiencies increase vulnerability to severe COVID-19.
- [Immune-Response Study Explains Why Some People Don't Get COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/immune-response-study-explains-why-some-people-dont-get-covid-19/) - Scientists have discovered novel immune responses that help explain how some individuals avoid getting COVID-19. Using single-cell sequencing, researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, the Netherlands Cancer Institute and their collaborators, studied immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy adult volunteers, as part of the world's first COVID-19
- [Poll Examines Surveyed Americans' Views of COVID-19 Policies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/poll-examines-surveyed-americans-views-of-covid-19-policies/) - A majority of Americans surveyed say that several key policies to stop the spread of COVID-19 were generally a good idea in hindsight, according to a new national poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation. The poll also found, however, that views varied across policies, and many say
- [More Than 1 in 5 Adults Did Not Recover Within 3 Months of SARS-CoV-2 Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/more-than-1-in-5-adults-did-not-recover-within-3-months-of-sars-cov-2-infection/) - Persistent symptoms and disability following SARS-CoV-2 infection, known as post-COVID-19 condition or "long COVID," are frequently reported and pose a substantial personal and societal burden. Oelsner, et al. (2024) sought to determine time to recovery following SARS-CoV-2 infection and identify factors associated with recovery by 90 days. For this prospective cohort study, standardized ascertainment of
- [Syphilis Cases are Rising but Many Don’t Know the Symptoms](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/syphilis-cases-are-rising-but-many-dont-know-the-symptoms/) - Syphilis cases are on the rise around the globe, but many Americans don't know the symptoms. In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that syphilis cases had risen 80 percent over the five years from 2018 to 2022, totaling more than 200,000 in 2022, the last year for which data are
- [Avoidable Deaths During Pandemic Associated With Chronic Hospital Nurse Understaffing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/avoidable-deaths-during-pandemic-associated-with-chronic-hospital-nurse-understaffing/) - A new study published in International Journal of Nursing Studies showed that individuals with Covid-19 were more likely to die in hospitals that were chronically understaffed before the pandemic. This study is one of the first to document the continuing public health dangers of permitting so many U.S. hospitals to ration nursing care by understaffing
- [More Hospitals Than Ever Require Staff to Get Flu Shots](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/more-hospitals-than-ever-require-staff-to-get-flu-shots/) - In just a few months, hospitals and health systems nationwide will start working to vaccinate as many staff as possible against the flu. And a new study suggests that more of those hospitals than ever before will require employees to get vaccinated, or seek an exemption. That means more patients could avoid catching the flu
- [H5N1 Influenza Virus in Raw Milk Rapidly Declines With Heat Treatment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/h5n1-influenza-virus-in-raw-milk-rapidly-declines-with-heat-treatment/) - The amount of infectious H5N1 influenza viruses in raw milk rapidly declined with heat treatment in laboratory research conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. However, small, detectable amounts of infectious virus remained in raw milk samples with high virus levels when
- [Replacing RNs in High-Stakes Hospital Care is Dangerous to Patients, Expert Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/replacing-rns-in-high-stakes-hospital-care-is-dangerous-to-patients-expert-says/) - A new study published in Medical Care today showed that substituting registered nurses (RN) with lower-wage staff (e.g. licensed practical nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel) in hospital care is linked with more deaths, readmissions, longer hospital stays, poorer patient satisfaction, and higher costs of care. The study, by the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research
- [Lung Organoids Unveil Secret of How Pathogens Infect Human Lung Tissue](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lung-organoids-unveil-secret-of-how-pathogens-infect-human-lung-tissue/) - How do pathogens invade the lungs? Using human lung microtissues, a team at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel has uncovered the strategy used by a dangerous pathogen. The bacterium targets specific lung cells and has developed a sophisticated strategy to break through the lungs' line of defense. Earlier this year, the World Health
- [How $4 Billion Funded the Unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic Response](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-4-billion-funded-the-unprecedented-covid-19-pandemic-response/) - New University of Virginia School of Medicine research is shedding light on how federal funding helped scientists understand the COVID-19 virus, develop new treatments and deploy life-saving vaccines in record time. The UVA Health researchers used advanced "machine learning" - a form of artificial intelligence - to analyze the thousands of scientific publications that resulted
- [The June 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-june-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - In the 1950s, when mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing posed the question, "Could a man-made device act and make decisions indistinguishable from those of humans?" he essentially launched the beginnings of a field of study that eventually became known as machine learning that produces artificial intelligence (AI). The implications for the infection prevention and
- [Investigators Discover Mechanisms of Immunity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-discover-mechanisms-of-immunity/) - A novel study led by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai and published in the journal Nature shows how cells use a protein called PD-L1 to rally white blood cells to battle infections. The body's immune system includes white blood cells called phagocytes that function like the video game character Pac-Man, circulating through the
- [Mpox Continues to Circulate at Low Numbers Among Gay and Bisexual Men Who Have Sex With Men](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mpox-continues-to-circulate-at-low-numbers-among-gay-and-bisexual-men-who-have-sex-with-men/) - While Mpox cases have sharply declined since the 2022 global outbreak, they continue to occur in the U.S. among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM), according to a UCLA-led study from EMERGEncy ID NET, a multisite surveillance network funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though no cases
- [Researchers Explore 10 Years of Hand Hygiene Excellence in Award-winning Hospitals Worldwide](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-10-years-of-hand-hygiene-excellence-in-award-winning-hospitals-worldwide/) - Hand hygiene is a crucial measure for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), experts sa. The Hand Hygiene Excellence Award (HHEA) is an international programme acknowledging healthcare facilities for their leadership in implementing hand hygiene improvement programs, including the World Health Organization's Multimodal Improvement Strategy. This study by Tartari, et al. (2024) summarizes the results
- [Clinicians' Donning of PPE in a Simulated Cardiac Arrest of a COVID-19 Patient Reveals Room for Improvement](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/clinicians-donning-of-ppe-in-a-simulated-cardiac-arrest-of-a-covid-19-patient-reveals-room-for-improvement/) - Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects healthcare workers and patients. Data on guideline compliance on how to dress (donning) or remove (doffing) PPE and the assistance among multiple participants (buddying) are limited. This study by Kraus, et al. (2024) assesses the quality of donning, doffing, and buddying of PPE in a simulated medical emergency. Physicians handled
- [NIH Releases H5N1 Influenza Research Agenda](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-releases-h5n1-influenza-research-agenda/) - The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has released its plan for advancing H5N1 influenza basic research and translating those findings into strategies and interventions that can benefit people. The research agenda focuses on four key objectives: increasing understanding of the biology of H5N1 viruses and
- [Antibiotic Discovery Effort Uses AI to Uncover Potential Cures in Microbial Dark Matter](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotic-discovery-effort-uses-ai-to-uncover-potential-cures-in-microbial-dark-matter/) - A new study co-led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that natural-product antibiotic discovery is about to accelerate into a new era, powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The study, published in Cell, details how the researchers used a form of AI called machine learning to search for
- [Experts Warn About the Arrival of Hard-to-Treat Fungal Skin Infections in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-warn-about-the-arrival-of-hard-to-treat-fungal-skin-infections-in-the-u-s/) - Healthcare providers should watch out for new and highly contagious forms of ringworm or jock itch, which are emerging as a potential public health threat, according to a pair of reports. In the first of the studies, experts at NYU Langone Health who focus on the spread of contagious rashes document the first reported U.S.
- [Florida Infection Preventionist Successfully Advocates for Staff Growth, Keeping Pace with Hospital’s Expanding Service Lines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/florida-infection-preventionist-successfully-advocates-for-staff-growth-keeping-pace-with-hospitals-expanding-service-lines/) - In an era of hospital budget cuts and staffing freezes, a Florida hospital more than doubled staff positions for infection prevention and control (IP&C) over a four-year period, reducing infections and creating opportunities for non-clinical team members to enter the field and excel. By presenting a business case showing costs of excess healthcare-associated infections (HAIs),
- [U.S. Clinical Trials Begin for Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-clinical-trials-begin-for-twice-yearly-hiv-prevention-injection/) - Two clinical trials have launched to examine a novel long-acting form of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in cisgender women and people who inject drugs. The mid-stage studies will assess the safety, acceptability, and pharmacokinetic (how a drug moves through the body) of lenacapavir, an antiretroviral drug administered by injection every six months. The studies are
- [Allergy or Infection? Scientists Discover What Distinguishes These Two Immune System Responses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/allergy-or-infection-scientists-discover-what-distinguishes-these-two-immune-system-responses/) - The production of antibodies, essential for protecting our body against infections, is very well regulated through the action of a specific subtype of immune system cells, follicular helper lymphocytes. Now, a team led by Luís Graça, group leader at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM) and professor at the faculty of medicine
- [SSIs Decrease Dramatically at Multi-state Hospital System Through Standardized, Preoperative, Surgical, Antibiotic Practices](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ssis-decrease-dramatically-at-multi-state-hospital-system-through-standardized-preoperative-surgical-antibiotic-practices/) - Mortality, length of stay, readmissions, and surgical site infections (SSI) all declined after a six-state hospital system implemented a comprehensive surgical site infection (SSI) prevention bundle, according to a report presented today at the 2024 APIC annual conference. Banner Health, which operates facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming, reported on the impact
- [Study Finds Policy Makers’ Use of In-Hospital Mortality as a Sepsis Quality Metric May Unfairly Penalize Safety-Net Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-policy-makers-use-of-in-hospital-mortality-as-a-sepsis-quality-metric-may-unfairly-penalize-safety-net-hospitals/) - Sepsis is a leading cause of death and disability and a key target of state and federal quality measures for hospitals. In-hospital mortality of patients with sepsis is frequently measured for benchmarking, both by researchers and policymakers. For example, in New York, sepsis regulations mandate reporting of risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, and hospitals with lower or
- [False Belief in MMR Vaccine-Autism Link Endures as Measles Threat Persists, Survey Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/false-belief-in-mmr-vaccine-autism-link-endures-as-measles-threat-persists-survey-says/) - As measles cases rise across the United States and vaccination rates for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine continue to fall, a new survey finds that a quarter of U.S. adults do not know that claims that the MMR vaccine causes autism are false. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said there
- [U.S. Health Departments Experience Workforce Shortages, Struggle to Reach Adequate Staffing Levels](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-health-departments-experience-workforce-shortages-struggle-to-reach-adequate-staffing-levels/) - Gaps persist in hiring enough U.S. public health workers and health departments continue to face challenges in recruiting new employees, according to a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Indiana University. Insufficient funding, a shortage of people with public health training, and a lack of visibility for public careers, in
- [Mental Health, Lack of Workplace Support are Leading Factors Driving Nurses From Jobs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mental-health-lack-of-workplace-support-are-leading-factors-driving-nurses-from-jobs/) - Coworker and employer support are strong predictors of nurses planning to stay in their jobs, while symptoms of depression are linked to nurses planning to leave, according to a study conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The research-published in the Online Journal of Issues
- [Hospital Had to Innovate to Eliminate COVID-Era Bloodstream Infections in Heart, Lung Patients](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hospital-had-to-innovate-to-eliminate-covid-era-bloodstream-infections-in-heart-lung-patients/) - Recognizing an unusual prevalence of bloodstream infections (BSI) that threatened extremely ill patients receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, or ECMO, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) infection preventionists started an intervention that eliminated these infections completely from their 18-bed Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU). At the APIC 2024 annual conference, presenters from the 1,000-bed, tertiary care, academic medical
- [APIC and IPAC Canada Publish Ethical Infection Prevention and Control Decision-Making Framework](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/apic-and-ipac-canada-publish-ethical-infection-prevention-and-control-decision-making-framework/) - APIC and IPAC Canada partnered on the creation of a new resource to help healthcare professionals work through ethical issues that arise in infection prevention and control (IP&C) and assist in making complex decisions. Published on both the APIC and IPAC Canada websites, the Ethical Infection Prevention and Control (EIPAC) Decision-Making Framework illustrates how to
- [Novel Vaccine Concept Generates Immune Responses That Could Produce Multiple Types of HIV Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/novel-vaccine-concept-generates-immune-responses-that-could-produce-multiple-types-of-hiv-broadly-neutralizing-antibodies/) - Using a combination of cutting-edge immunologic technologies, researchers have successfully stimulated animals' immune systems to induce rare precursor B cells of a class of HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The findings, published today in Nature Immunology, are an encouraging, incremental step in developing a preventive HIV vaccine. HIV is genetically diverse making the virus difficult
- [Measuring Bang for Value-Based Care Bucks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/measuring-bang-for-value-based-care-bucks/) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is placing a big bet on the future of healthcare. By 2030, it plans to have all Medicare beneficiaries in accountable care organizations (ACOs), groups of doctors, hospitals and other service providers who adopt a reimbursement model called value-based care. Currently, ACOs serve nearly half of Americans
- [Study Reveals Impact of ICU Demand on COVID-19 Patient Mortality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-impact-of-icu-demand-on-covid-19-patient-mortality/) - A new study conducted by researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health has revealed critical insights into how ICU capacity influenced patient mortality during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado. A major public health objective during the pandemic was to 'flatten the curve' to prevent overwhelming hospital and ICU capacities, which would
- [Researchers Identify Factors That Heighten Risk for CAUTIs and Sepsis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-factors-that-heighten-risk-for-cautis-and-sepsis/) - Urinary catheters are required for nearly every surgical procedure. However, a major challenge for the healthcare industry is predicting who may develop catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and when these infections may lead to death. Now, a study from the University of Notre Dame has identified a population that is more susceptible to developing a
- [Could the Roman Baths Help Scientists Counter the Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/could-the-roman-baths-help-scientists-counter-the-challenge-of-antibiotic-resistance/) - The world-famous Roman Baths are home to a diverse range of microorganisms which could be critical in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, a new study suggests. The research, published in the journal The Microbe, is the first to provide a detailed examination of the bacterial and archaeal communities found within the waters of the
- [Antibodies May Aid Effort to Fight Influenza B](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibodies-may-aid-effort-to-fight-influenza-b/) - Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated human monoclonal antibodies against influenza B, a significant public health threat that disproportionately affects children, the elderly and other immunocompromised individuals. Seasonal flu vaccines cover influenza B and the more common influenza A but do not stimulate the broadest possible range of immune responses against both viruses.
- [Insufficient Evidence to Definitively Determine if One ABHR Format is More Effective in Reducing Pathogen Transmission](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/insufficient-evidence-to-definitively-determine-if-one-abhr-format-is-more-effective-in-reducing-pathogen-transmission/) - Following publication of the 2009 World Health Organizations Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Health Care, a debate has emerged regarding the relative antimicrobial efficacy of the different formats (rinse, gel, foam) of ABHRs and their ability to contribute to reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), say Boyce and Pittet (2024). The researchers reviewed data regarding the
- [Study Shows Effectiveness of Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Wanes Moderately Over Time, is Lower Against Currently Circulating Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-effectiveness-of-updated-covid-19-vaccines-wanes-moderately-over-time-is-lower-against-currently-circulating-variants/) - Boosters that target the omicron subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 are still providing reasonably durable protection against infection, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, according to new data from a study led by researchers at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study found that COVID-19 boosters
- [Portable Pathology Passes the Test, Research Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/portable-pathology-passes-the-test-research-finds/) - On-site pathology tests for infectious diseases in rural and remote locations can be just as reliable and accurate as tests carried out in a hospital laboratory, a new report from Flinders University shows. Flinders University researchers tested the quality of on-site pathology testing, or Point-of-Care-Testing (POCT), for molecular-based, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
- [Study Finds One Type of N95 Mask Outperforms Others](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-one-type-of-n95-mask-outperforms-others/) - In a head-to-head comparison of masks worn by people with active COVID-19, the inexpensive "duckbill" N95 came out on top, stopping 98% of COVID-19 particles in the breath of infected people from escaping into the air. Led by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Public Health (SPH), results showed other masks also performed
- [Risk of Death from COVID-19 Lessens, but Infection Still Can Cause Issues Years Later](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/risk-of-death-from-covid-19-lessens-but-infection-still-can-cause-issues-years-later/) - New findings on long COVID - long-term effects on health experienced by many who have had COVID-19 - present a good-news, bad-news situation, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care system. The bad news: COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized within the
- [Pharmacists Prove Effective, Less Costly Care Option for Minor Illnesses Like UTIs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pharmacists-prove-effective-less-costly-care-option-for-minor-illnesses-like-utis/) - Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in healthcare costs, according to new research led by Washington State University. The findings also indicate a way to improve healthcare access by expanding availability of pharmacists' clinical services including prescribing medications, amid an ongoing shortage of primary care providers. The
- [Unveiling Disease X: Researchers Address Strategies for Tackling the New Frontier of Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/unveiling-disease-x-researchers-address-strategies-for-tackling-the-new-frontier-of-infectious-diseases/) - Disease X stands as a symbol for a subset of emerging infectious diseases rising to prominence as a significant challenge to global health security. A comprehensive review by Fei and Huang (2024) delves into the historical context, precise definition, and illustrative case studies of disease X, including notable examples, such as COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola.
- [Herpes Cure With Gene Editing Makes Progress in Laboratory Studies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/herpes-cure-with-gene-editing-makes-progress-in-laboratory-studies/) - Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found in pre-clinical studies that an experimental gene therapy for genital and oral herpes removed 90 percent or more of the infection and suppressed how much virus can be released from an infected individual, which suggests that the therapy would also reduce the spread of the virus. "Herpes
- [Engineers 'Muffle' Invading Pathogens with a 'Molecular Mask'](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/engineers-muffle-invading-pathogens-with-a-molecular-mask/) - Vaccines remain the gold standard of protection against dangerous pathogens, but take considerable time and vast resources to develop. Rapidly mutating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can blunt their effectiveness and even render them obsolete. To address these gaps, a multi-university team led by New Jersey Institute of Technology's Vivek Kumar is developing a hydrogel therapy
- [How Public Health Messaging is Framed Makes a Difference, Research Reveals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-public-health-messaging-is-framed-makes-a-difference-research-reveals/) - The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the divide between those who would flock to a vaccine as it was rolled out and those who declined based on personal, political or religious grounds, regardless of public health messaging. So, what's the best way to communicate with a vaccine-hesitant person about a vaccine's potential benefits? It's not an easy
- [Combining Antibiotics and Plant Compounds is a Promising Solution Against Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/combining-antibiotics-and-plant-compounds-is-a-promising-solution-against-antimicrobial-resistance/) - The growing resistance of bacteria to existing antimicrobial drugs is a major problem, making it essential to find new ways to treat bacterial infections. Sometimes, antibiotics alone are not effective enough. To address this, combining different drugs is often used, and one approach is to use a combination of antibiotics and plant extracts or phytochemicals.
- [Text Reminders Help Connect Healthcare Personnel to Mental Health Resources](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/text-reminders-help-connect-healthcare-personnel-to-mental-health-resources/) - Healthcare workers have reported spikes in feeling burnt out in the time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with nearly half saying it took a toll in 2022 compared to 32 percent in 2018. But a new study shows that easy-to-use and accessible platforms may help reverse this trend. Regular, automated text message reminders connecting staff
- [COVID-19 Surges Were Associated With Declines in Hospital Quality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-surges-were-associated-with-declines-in-hospital-quality/) - Unprecedented increases in hospital occupancy rates during COVID-19 surges in 2020 caused concern over hospital care quality for patients without COVID-19. Meille, et al. (2024) sought to examine changes in hospital nonsurgical care quality for patients without COVID-19 during periods of high and low COVID-19 admissions. This cross-sectional study used data from the 2019 and
- [High H5N1 Influenza Levels Found in Mice Given Raw Milk From Infected Dairy Cows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/high-h5n1-influenza-levels-found-in-mice-given-raw-milk-from-infected-dairy-cows/) - Mice administered raw milk samples from dairy cows infected with H5N1 influenza experienced high virus levels in their respiratory organs and lower virus levels in other vital organs, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results suggest that consumption of raw milk by animals poses a risk for H5N1 infection
- [CDC Reports Second Human Case of H5 Bird Flu Tied to Dairy Cow Outbreak](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-reports-second-human-case-of-h5-bird-flu-tied-to-dairy-cow-outbreak/) - A human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) ("H5 bird flu") virus infection in the United States has been identified in the state of Michigan. This is the second case associated with an ongoing multistate outbreak of A(H5N1) in dairy cows. As with the case in Texas, the individual is a worker on
- [Shingles Vaccine Uptake Increased After Inflation Reduction Act Removed Patient Out-of-Pocket Cost](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/shingles-vaccine-uptake-increased-after-inflation-reduction-act-removed-patient-out-of-pocket-cost/) - Among the aims of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reducing healthcare costs for older adults by eliminating cost-sharing for certain drugs and vaccines covered by Medicare Part D. To help determine if the impact matches the IRA's intent, a team led by Dima Qato, the Hygeia Centennial Chair and associate professor at the USC
- [Excessive Patient Loads Were the Greatest Cause of Moral Distress Among Healthcare Personnel During the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/excessive-patient-loads-were-the-greatest-cause-of-moral-distress-among-healthcare-personnel-during-the-pandemic/) - Moral distress is the psychological harm that arises when people are forced to witness or perform actions that clash with their moral values. It is a problem that affects healthcare professionals, who are often exposed to hardships, long shifts, stress, and high levels of responsibility. During the pandemic, while society saw them as heroes, these
- [Matcha Mouthwash Inhibits Bacteria That Cause Periodontitis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/matcha-mouthwash-inhibits-bacteria-that-cause-periodontitis/) - Periodontitis is an inflammatory gum disease driven by bacterial infection and left untreated it can lead to complications including tooth loss. The disease also been associated with diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. One of the chief bacterial culprits behind periodontitis is Porphyromonas gingivalis, which colonizes biofilms on tooth surfaces and
- [U.S. Public Health Preparedness and Response to Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/u-s-public-health-preparedness-and-response-to-avian-influenza-ah5n1-viruses/) - Since 2020-2021, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have spread among wild birds worldwide, causing poultry outbreaks and spillover to terrestrial and marine mammals. HPAI A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses were first identified in wild birds in North America in late 2021 and continue to evolve and spread. Since February 2022, in the
- [Drug-Like Inhibitor Shows Promise in Preventing Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/drug-like-inhibitor-shows-promise-in-preventing-flu/) - Currently available flu medications only target the virus after it has already established an infection, but what if a drug could prevent infection in the first place? Now, scientists at Scripps Research and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have designed drug-like molecules to do just that, by thwarting the first stage of influenza infection.
- [Study Asserts Repeat COVID-19 Vaccinations Elicit Antibodies That Neutralize Variants, Other Viruses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-asserts-repeat-covid-19-vaccinations-elicit-antibodies-that-neutralize-variants-other-viruses/) - A new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis helps confirm that prior immunity to SARS-CoV-2 doesn't inhibit later vaccine responses but rather it promotes the development of broadly inhibitory antibodies, the researchers report. The study, available online in Nature, shows that people who were repeatedly vaccinated for COVID-19 -
- [Better Medical Record-Keeping Needed to Fight Antibiotic Overuse, Studies Suggest](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/better-medical-record-keeping-needed-to-fight-antibiotic-overuse-studies-suggest/) - A lack of detailed record-keeping in clinics and emergency departments may be getting in the way of reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics, a pair of new studies by a pair of University of Michigan physicians and their colleagues suggests. In one of the studies, about 10% of children and 35% of adults who got
- [IPs Call for Overhaul of Medical Device IFUs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ips-call-for-overhaul-of-medical-device-ifus/) - Infection preventionists are reaching out to policymakers for help with the regulatory process around the current convoluted medical device cleaning instructions, known as instructions for use or IFUs, with which they must comply and are calling for reform to put patient safety and healthcare efficiency in the forefront. In a report published today by the
- [Social Distancing Plus Vaccines Prevented 800,000 COVID Deaths but at Great Cost, Study Says](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/social-distancing-plus-vaccines-prevented-800000-covid-deaths-but-at-great-cost-study-says/) - Changing people's behavior until a vaccine could be developed prevented roughly 800,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., far more than many scientists predicted was possible, according to new CU Boulder and UCLA research. But the authors stress that interventions like lockdowns and school closures came at great cost-one that could be reduced in future pandemics
- [SARS-CoV-2 Can Penetrate Blood-Retinal Barrier and Could Damage Vision](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sars-cov-2-can-penetrate-blood-retinal-barrier-and-could-damage-vision/) - The blood-retinal barrier is designed to protect our vision from infections by preventing microbial pathogens from reaching the retina where they could trigger an inflammatory response with potential vision loss. But researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered the virus that causes COVID-19 can breach this protective retinal barrier with potential
- [Study Paves the Way for an Active Agent Against Hepatitis E](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-paves-the-way-for-an-active-agent-against-hepatitis-e/) - To infect an organ, viruses need the help of the host cells. "An effective approach is therefore to identify targets in the host that can be manipulated by drugs so that they no longer perform this helper function," explains Mara Klöhn of Ruhr University Bochum. The researchers became aware of the compound K11777 in a
- [Probability of Developing Lyme Disease is Genetically Predisposed](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/probability-of-developing-lyme-disease-is-genetically-predisposed/) - If a tick is infected with the pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, these bacteria can be transmitted to humans through a tick bite and cause illness. Various organ systems can be affected, including the skin, the nervous system or the joints. "An infection with Borrelia does not always lead to illness, and in case of the outbreak
- [Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 Had a Higher Risk of Death Compared to Those Hospitalized for Seasonal Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patients-hospitalized-for-covid-19-had-a-higher-risk-of-death-compared-to-those-hospitalized-for-seasonal-flu/) - In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk of death in people hospitalized for COVID-19 was substantially higher than in people hospitalized for seasonal influenza. The risk of death due to COVID-19 has since declined. In fall-winter 2022-2023, people hospitalized for COVID-19 had a 60% higher risk of death compared with those hospitalized for
- [Study Traces What Expert Calls an Infectious Language Epidemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-traces-what-expert-calls-an-infectious-language-epidemic/) - Eugenia Rho, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech, is using her Society + AI & Language Lab to investigate what effects social media rhetoric had on COVID-19 infection and death rates across the United States, and what policymakers and public health officials can learn from those findings. "A lot of
- [Birth by C-section More Than Doubles Odds of Measles Vaccine Failure](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/birth-by-c-section-more-than-doubles-odds-of-measles-vaccine-failure/) - A study by the University of Cambridge in the UK and Fudan University in China has found that a single dose of the measles jab is up to 2.6 times more likely to be completely ineffective in children born by C-section, compared to those born naturally. Failure of the vaccine means that the child's immune
- [ADLM Releases Guidance to Help Healthcare Professionals Navigate Respiratory Virus Testing in a Post-COVID World](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/adlm-releases-guidance-to-help-healthcare-professionals-navigate-respiratory-virus-testing-in-a-post-covid-world/) - The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, formerly AACC) has issued a new guidance document that provides expert recommendations on fundamental areas of clinical testing for respiratory viral infections. As respiratory virus testing continues to evolve rapidly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this guidance aims to ensure that patients benefit fully from
- [Team Develops Computational Approach to Redesign Antibodies for Broader Effectiveness Against Viral Pandemics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/team-develops-computational-approach-to-redesign-antibodies-for-broader-effectiveness-against-viral-pandemics/) - In a groundbreaking development for addressing future viral pandemics, a multi-institutional team involving Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers has successfully combined an artificial intelligence (AI)-backed platform with supercomputing to redesign and restore the effectiveness of antibodies whose ability to fight viruses has been compromised by viral evolution. The team's research - published in the
- [NIH to Open Long-COVID Clinical Trials to Study Sleep Disturbances, Exercise Intolerance, Post-Exertional Malaise](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-to-open-long-covid-clinical-trials-to-study-sleep-disturbances-exercise-intolerance-post-exertional-malaise/) - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will launch clinical trials to investigate potential treatments for long-term symptoms after COVID-19 infection, including sleep disturbances, exercise intolerance and the worsening of symptoms following physical or mental exertion known as post-exertional malaise (PEM). The mid-stage trials, part of NIH's Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative, will join
- [Highly Drug-Resistant Infections from Stem Cell Treatments in Mexico Identified](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/highly-drug-resistant-infections-from-stem-cell-treatments-in-mexico-identified/) - Experts in mycobacterial diseases at National Jewish Health, in collaboration with local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are investigating a potential outbreak of a highly drug-resistant mycobacterium after U.S. patients who traveled to Mexico for stem cell injections became sick. Genetically identical Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense infections following stem
- [Revolutionizing Nurses' Work Environment Research](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/revolutionizing-nurses-work-environment-research/) - New research from Penn Nursing's Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research (CHOPR) - recently published online in the journal Research in Nursing & Health - has successfully validated a new, streamlined version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), originally authored in 2002 by Eileen T. Lake, PhD, RN, FAAN,
- [Study Indicates the Need to Review Temperature Control Measures in Hospitals to Manage Legionella](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-indicates-the-need-to-review-temperature-control-measures-in-hospitals-to-manage-legionella/) - A work of the Clinical and Environmental Infectious Diseases Study Group (CEID) at Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), led by Dr. Laura Gavaldà from the Bellvitge University Hospital, in collaboration with Institut Català d'Oncologia and Barcelona Public Health Agency, has disclosed significant findings on the survival of the Legionella pneumophila bacterium in hospital
- [Study Suggests Prioritizing TB Treatment for Exposed Individuals With Evidence of TB Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-suggests-prioritizing-tb-treatment-for-exposed-individuals-with-evidence-of-tb-infection/) - Preventive treatment for tuberculosis (TB) can stop latent TB infections from developing into deadly disease. Despite TB infection being fully treatable, there is no global consensus as to which subgroups of individuals exposed to TB should be prioritized for preventive treatment, nor whether the benefits of this treatment vary based on factors such as age
- [Inconclusive Evidence Suggests Zinc May Slightly Shorten Duration of Common Cold](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/inconclusive-evidence-suggests-zinc-may-slightly-shorten-duration-of-common-cold/) - A new Cochrane review has found that taking zinc may help to reduce the duration of common cold symptoms by about two days, but the evidence is not conclusive and potential benefits must be balanced against side-effects. Since the 1980s, zinc products have been marketed as treatments for the common cold and are particularly popular
- [Multi-site Review Shows Serious Adverse Events Occur Frequently in Outpatient Care](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/multi-site-review-shows-serious-adverse-events-occur-frequently-in-outpatient-care/) - A multi-site review of electronic health records (EHRs) found that adverse events during outpatient care were relatively common and often serious. Adverse drug events accounted for about two-thirds of adverse events. Other events included health care-associated infections and surgical or procedural events. The review is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers from Brigham and
- [The May 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-may-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - One of the widely recommended but deceptively difficult strategies for improvement is hand hygiene compliance. While it plays a significant role in breaking the chain of infection, hand hygiene is a venerated strategy that can sometimes be protected from scrutiny as to whether certain precepts still make sense for evolving real-world conditions and challenges in
- [Combined Application of Hand Hygiene and Use of Non-Sterile Gloves by Nurses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/combined-application-of-hand-hygiene-and-use-of-non-sterile-gloves-by-nurses/) - The application of hand hygiene (HH) and the use of non-sterile gloves (NSG) in daily care is highly intertwined, say Dekker, et al. (2024), who aimed to assess the combined application of HH and NSG among nurses and to explore determinants that influence their ability to combine both measures in their care. In a multi-methods
- [Expert Advises on What to Know About Avian Influenza Detections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/expert-advises-on-what-to-know-about-avian-influenza-detections/) - Although the current avian influenza outbreak began more than two years ago, detections have been made in recent weeks in cattle, cats and large commercial poultry flocks across the country and in Michigan. Kimberly Dodd is the director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, or MSU VDL, in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
- [Study Identifies Demographic Factors Associated With Long-COVID Recovery](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-identifies-demographic-factors-associated-with-long-covid-recovery/) - Long-COVID continues to pose a significant public health burden. In a new study, Yale School of Medicine researchers identify demographic factors associated with recovery from long-COVID symptoms. "Long-COVID impacts the health of millions of American people with a wide array of symptoms involving many organ systems," said Akiko Iwasaki, PhD, the Sterling Professor of Immunobiology
- [New Tool Helps Identify Babies at High-Risk for RSV](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-tool-helps-identify-babies-at-high-risk-for-rsv/) - A new tool to identify infants most at risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness could aid pediatricians in prioritizing children under 1 to receive a preventive medication before RSV season (October-April), according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) research published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases and to be presented at the American Thoracic
- [Medical School Scientist Creates Therapy to Kill Hypervirulent Bacteria](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/medical-school-scientist-creates-therapy-to-kill-hypervirulent-bacteria/) - University of Central Florida College of Medicine researcher Renee Fleeman is on a mission to kill drug-resistant bacteria, and her latest study has identified a therapy that can penetrate the slime that such infections use to protect themselves from antibiotics. In a study published recently in Cell Reports Physical Science, Fleeman showed that an antimicrobial
- [When Good Bacteria Go Bad: New Links Between Bacteremia and Probiotic Use](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/when-good-bacteria-go-bad-new-links-between-bacteremia-and-probiotic-use/) - Probiotics offer a range of health benefits, but their adverse effects can occasionally lead to bacteremia, wherein bacteria circulate in the bloodstream throughout the body. In Japan, Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) MIYAIRI 588 is commonly used, yet the prevalence and characteristics of bacteremia caused by this strain, as well as its bacteriological and genetic profile,
- [Survey Says Significant Portion of the World’s Population Continues to Trust Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/survey-says-significant-portion-of-the-worlds-population-continues-to-trust-vaccines/) - A substantial proportion of the world's population remains willing to get vaccinated against diseases including COVID-19, according to a new survey across 23 countries that represent more than 60% of the world's population. The study, published in Nature Medicine, was co-led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by "la Caixa"
- [Activity in a Room Stirs Up Nanoparticles Left Over From Consumer Sprays](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/activity-in-a-room-stirs-up-nanoparticles-left-over-from-consumer-sprays/) - Common household products containing nanoparticles - grains of engineered material so miniscule they are invisible to the eye - could be contributing to a new form of indoor air pollution, according to a Rutgers study. In a study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, a team of Rutgers researchers found people walking
- [Treatment for C. diff May Be Weakening](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/treatment-for-c-diff-may-be-weakening/) - The antibiotic vancomycin, recommended as first-line treatment for infection caused by the deadly superbug C. difficile (C. diff), may not be living up to its promise, according to new research from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. C. diff infection is the leading cause of death due to gastroenteritis in the U.S. It causes
- [Improving Health Communication to Save Lives During Epidemics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/improving-health-communication-to-save-lives-during-epidemics/) - During epidemics of Ebola, COVID-19, Zika and other public health emergencies, effective communication of public health messages is crucial to control the spread of disease, maintain public trust, and encourage compliance with health measures. In a new evidence review to be given at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (April 27-30),
- [WHO Announces Updated Terminology for Pathogens That Transmit Through the Air](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/who-announces-updated-terminology-for-pathogens-that-transmit-through-the-air/) - Following consultation with public health agencies and experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a global technical consultation report introducing updated terminology for pathogens that transmit through the air. The pathogens covered include those that cause respiratory infections, e.g. COVID-19, influenza, measles, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis, among
- [Experts Call for Global Genetic Warning System to Combat the Next Pandemic, Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-call-for-global-genetic-warning-system-to-combat-the-next-pandemic-antimicrobial-resistance/) - The Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In fighting it, one of our most important weapons was genomic surveillance, based on whole genome sequencing, which collects all the genetic data of a given microorganism. This powerful technology tracked the spread and evolution of the virus, helping to guide public health responses and the development
- [Metabolic Health Before Vaccination Determines Effectiveness of Anti-Flu Response](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/metabolic-health-before-vaccination-determines-effectiveness-of-anti-flu-response/) - Metabolic health (normal blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, among other factors) influences the effectiveness of influenza vaccinations. Vaccination is known to be less effective in people with obesity compared to those with a healthier body mass index (BMI), but St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have found it is not obesity itself, but
- [Significant Global Variation in National COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/significant-global-variation-in-national-covid-19-treatment-guidelines/) - National clinical guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 vary significantly around the world, with under-resourced countries the most likely to diverge from gold standard (World Health Organization; WHO) treatment recommendations, finds a comparative analysis published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health. And nearly every national guideline recommends at least one treatment proven not
- [Research Defines Specific Genomic Changes Associated With the Transmissibility of the Monkeypox Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-defines-specific-genomic-changes-associated-with-the-transmissibility-of-the-monkeypox-virus/) - Mount Sinai scientists, in collaboration with researchers from the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) in Madrid, Spain, have located and identified alterations in the monkeypox virus genome that potentially correlate with changes in the virus's transmissibility observed in the 2022 outbreak. The findings were published April 18 in Nature Communications. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a
- [Surveyed Infectious Diseases Experts Rate Influenza as the No. 1 Pathogen of Concern With Pandemic Potential](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surveyed-infectious-diseases-experts-rate-influenza-as-the-no-1-pathogen-of-concern-with-pandemic-potential/) - New research presented at the ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain to be held April 27-30 shows that in a VACCELERATE Consortium survey study in which infectious diseases experts were asked to rank pathogens in order of their pandemic potential, influenza was considered the pathogen of highest pandemic risk, with 57% ranking influenza
- [Scientists Uncover Mechanism Affecting Generation of New COVID Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-uncover-mechanism-affecting-generation-of-new-covid-variants/) - The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID has the unsettling ability of often generating variants of itself. Other viruses also mutate, but as SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread throughout the entire human population during the pandemic, killing millions, the virus' dynamic evolution posed a serious problem: it repeatedly challenged our bodies' immune response fighting the virus and hindered
- [Rise in Antibiotic Use for Conditions They Can’t Treat, Including COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rise-in-antibiotic-use-for-conditions-they-cant-treat-including-covid-19/) - The U.S. is going the wrong way when it comes to prescribing antibiotics, with 1 in 4 prescriptions going to patients who have conditions that the drugs won't touch, a new study finds. In fact, the percentage of all antibiotic prescriptions given to treat conditions they're useless against was even higher in December 2021 than
- [Physicians Under-utilize Next-Gen Antibiotics to Fight Resistant Infections in U.S. Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/physicians-under-utilize-next-gen-antibiotics-to-fight-resistant-infections-in-u-s-hospitals/) - Despite Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approval of seven next-generation antibiotics to fight infections caused by resistant Gram-negative bacteria, clinicians frequently continue to treat antibiotic-resistant infections with older generic antibiotics considered to be less effective and less safe, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Center. Researchers examined the
- [Researchers Investigate Vaccination Timeliness Among U.S. Children](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-vaccination-timeliness-among-u-s-children/) - Delays in receiving vaccinations lead to greater vaccine-preventable disease risk. Timeliness of receipt of recommended vaccinations is not routinely tracked in the U.S., either overall or for populations that have known barriers to accessing routine health care, including lower-income families and children. Newcomer, et al. (2024) sought to measure vaccination timeliness among U.S. children aged
- [AI Could Help Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy and Provide Helpful Advice on STIs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-could-help-reduce-vaccine-hesitancy-and-provide-helpful-advice-on-stis/) - New research being presented at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (27-30 April) suggests that the free-to-use, widely accessible ChatGPT could be an effective tool to help reduce vaccine hesitancy among the general public, as well as providing helpful advice on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in conjunction with sexual health clinics,
- [Researchers Identify New Genetic Risk Factors for Persistent HPV Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-identify-new-genetic-risk-factors-for-persistent-hpv-infections/) - Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the second most common cancer-causing virus, accounting for 690,000 cervical and other cancers each year worldwide. While the immune system usually clears HPV infections, those that persist can lead to cancer, and a new finding suggests that certain women may have a genetic susceptibility for persistent or frequent HPV infections. These
- [MDRO Transmission Risk Appears Highest in Hospital Sinks](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mdro-transmission-risk-appears-highest-in-hospital-sinks/) - A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports the infection prevention steps taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017. This study highlights the particular vulnerability for contamination through sinks
- [Oral Vaccine for UTI is Potential Alternative to Antibiotics, Finds 9-Year Study](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/oral-vaccine-for-uti-is-potential-alternative-to-antibiotics-finds-9-year-study/) - Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be prevented for up to nine years in more than half of people given an oral spray-based vaccine and is a potential alternative to antibiotic treatments, finds research. Initial results from the first long-term follow-up study of the safety and effectiveness of the MV140 vaccine for recurrent UTIs are
- [Researchers Model Viral Evolution](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-model-viral-evolution/) - Understanding the mutation and evolution of viruses (such as SARS-CoV-2) is crucial for effective public health management and response. Traditional epidemiological models often assume that viral transmissibility and pathogenicity remain constant during disease transmission, ignoring the fact that viruses continuously evolve through natural selection and random mutations. This simplification limits the accuracy of these models
- [CDC Issues Alert on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-issues-alert-on-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-ah5n1-virus/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians, state health departments, and the public of a recently confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle. The U.S. Department of
- [Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Versus COVID-19 and Flu Among Hospitalized U.S. Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/severity-of-respiratory-syncytial-virus-versus-covid-19-and-flu-among-hospitalized-u-s-adults/) - On June 21, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for adults aged 60 years and older using shared clinical decision-making. Understanding the severity of RSV disease in adults can help guide this clinical decision-making. Surie, et al. (2024) sought to describe disease severity among adults
- [The April 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-april-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - Hands-on learning has been found to be more effective than mere classroom instruction in many sectors, so it's no surprise that researchers continue to see promising results among students who have the advantage of honing real-world skillsets. But it's not often that a novel model for training sterile processing professionals accomplishes such an impressive success
- [COVID-19 Outbreak Surveillance Through Text Mining Applied to EHRs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-outbreak-surveillance-through-text-mining-applied-to-ehrs/) - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to everyday life and has had social, political, and financial consequences that will persist for years, say Rocha and Solha, et al. (2024). Several initiatives with intensive use of technology were quickly developed in this scenario; however, technologies that enhance epidemiological surveillance in contexts with low testing capacity
- [Researchers Report on Barriers Associated With Antimicrobial Stewardship](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-report-on-barriers-associated-with-antimicrobial-stewardship/) - Antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) is considered a key prevention strategy in addressing the worldwide concern of accelerating antimicrobial resistance. Limited research is available regarding healthcare providers' knowledge and attitude toward antimicrobial stewardship and the barriers for its implementation, according to Jarab, et al. (2024). Their cross-sectional study was conducted on pharmacists and healthcare prescribers (HCPs) in
- [What Your COVID-19 Antibodies May Reveal About Your Recovery](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-your-covid-19-antibodies-may-reveal-about-your-recovery/) - Wondering why some COVID-19 breakthrough cases feel milder than others? A study led by researchers at the Uniformed Services University (USU) sheds light on this phenomenon, offering insights into post-vaccination immunity dynamics. Published in Frontiers of Immunology on March 18, the study, "Immune and behavioral correlates of protection against symptomatic post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection," delves into
- [Hunting an Underground Epidemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hunting-an-underground-epidemic/) - In 2001, 10 archaeologists working at a dig site in northeastern Utah suddenly fell ill with a respiratory illness that sent eight of them to the hospital, coughing and feverish. The symptoms resembled pneumonia, but their diagnosis was unexpected. It was Valley fever, a fungal infection that spreads to people through spores in the soil
- [Testing Environmental Water to Monitor COVID-19 Spread in Unsheltered Encampments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/testing-environmental-water-to-monitor-covid-19-spread-in-unsheltered-encampments/) - To better understand COVID-19's spread during the pandemic, public health officials expanded wastewater surveillance. These efforts track SARS-CoV-2 levels and health risks among most people, but they miss people who live without shelter, a population particularly vulnerable to severe infection. To fill this information gap, researchers reporting in the American Chemical Society (ACS)'s Environmental Science
- [Study Shows Human Medical Professionals are More Reliable Than Artificial Intelligence Tools](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-human-medical-professionals-are-more-reliable-than-artificial-intelligence-tools/) - When looking for medical information, people can use web search engines or large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4 or Google Bard. However, these artificial intelligence (AI) tools have their limitations and can sometimes generate incorrect advice or instructions. A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine assesses the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated
- [Far-UVC Light Can Virtually Eliminate Airborne Virus Levels in an Occupied Room, Researchers Find](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/far-uvc-light-can-virtually-eliminate-airborne-virus-levels-in-an-occupied-room-researchers-find/) - Far-UVC light is a promising new technology for reducing airborne virus levels in occupied indoor spaces, but its effectiveness has not been evaluated in real-life scenarios. A new study by Columbia researchers now shows that far-UVC light inactivated nearly all (>99%) of an airborne virus in an occupied work environment, showing that the technology can
- [Decolonization Efforts in Hospitals and Nursing Homes Associated With Lower MDRO Carriage and Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/decolonization-efforts-in-hospitals-and-nursing-homes-associated-with-lower-mdro-carriage-and-infections/) - In this quality improvement study of 35 healthcare facilities in Orange County, California, using quasi-experimental design, chlorhexidine bathing and nasal decolonization were associated with significantly lower multidrug-resistant organism prevalence and incident clinical cultures. Infection-related hospitalizations, associated costs, and deaths among nursing home residents also decreased. Infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are associated with increased
- [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection Reported in a Person in the U.S.](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-a-h5n1-virus-infection-reported-in-a-person-in-the-u-s/) - A person in the United States has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (H5N1 bird flu), as reported by Texas and confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses. The patient reported
- [Do Scientists Respond Faster Than Google Trends in Discussing COVID-19 Issues?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/do-scientists-respond-faster-than-google-trends-in-discussing-covid-19-issues/) - A new study in Health Data Science introduces an advanced research framework to dissect the vast textual landscape surrounding COVID-19. This methodology leverages keywords from Google Trends alongside research abstracts from the WHO COVID-19 database, offering a nuanced understanding of the pandemic's discourse dynamics. Throughout the pandemic, research has underpinned effective policy-making, yet tools like
- [Case Report Shows Mpox Breakthrough Infection in Man Who Had Received Both Vaccine Doses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/case-report-shows-mpox-breakthrough-infection-in-man-who-had-received-both-vaccine-doses/) - New research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) in Barcelona, Spain (April 27-30) details the case of a man who had received two doses of the monkey pox vaccine in Autumn, 2022 yet experienced a 'breakthrough' mpox infection in January 2024. The authors believe breakthrough
- [Researchers Explore Relationship Between HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and the Incidence of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-explore-relationship-between-hiv-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-and-the-incidence-of-chlamydia-gonorrhea-and-syphilis/) - In their research article published in Eurosurveillance, von Schreeb et al. challenge existing assumptions regarding the relationship between the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI). According to the concept of sexual risk compensation, the start of PrEP treatment - a drug regimen which effectively prevents acquiring
- [Surgical Site Infections Can Be Reduced with Simple Prevention Protocol](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surgical-site-infections-can-be-reduced-with-simple-prevention-protocol/) - A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) demonstrates the use of a simple pre-surgical infection prevention protocol to prevent dangerous post-surgical infections. Researchers performed this investigation at the Soroka University Medical Center in Israel. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a type of healthcare-associated infection with deadly consequences for some
- [Just Ask: Patients in the ER are Willing to Get a Flu Shot, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/just-ask-patients-in-the-er-are-willing-to-get-a-flu-shot-study-finds/) - Simply asking patients to get the flu vaccine, and combining it with helpful video and print messages, is enough to persuade many who visit emergency departments to roll up their sleeves, according to a new study led by UC San Francisco. Researchers found a 32% vaccine uptake in patients who were asked if they'd be
- [Severe Lung Infection During COVID-19 Can Cause Damage to the Heart](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/severe-lung-infection-during-covid-19-can-cause-damage-to-the-heart/) - SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can damage the heart even without directly infecting the heart tissue, a National Institutes of Health-supported study has found. The research, published in the journal Circulation, specifically looked at damage to the hearts of people with SARS-CoV2-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious lung condition that can be
- [Breakthrough Antibiotic Shows Promise Against Obstinate Mycobacterial Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/breakthrough-antibiotic-shows-promise-against-obstinate-mycobacterial-infections/) - Antibiotic resistance is casting an increasingly long shadow over today's healthcare landscape, undermining the ability to combat infections that were once readily manageable. Among these, nontuberculous mycobacteria infections are notorious for their stubborn resistance to conventional medication and their penchant for afflicting those with existing lung diseases such as bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
- [Study Finds Inappropriate Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among Hospitalized Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-inappropriate-diagnosis-of-community-acquired-pneumonia-among-hospitalized-adults/) - Little is known about incidence of, risk factors for, and harms associated with inappropriate diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Gupta, et al. (2024) sought to characterize inappropriate diagnosis of CAP in hospitalized patients. This prospective cohort study, including medical record review and patient telephone calls, took place across 48 Michigan hospitals. Trained abstractors retrospectively assessed
- [Annual Vaccination Campaign With Second Dose Protects High-Risk Groups From SARS-CoV-2, May Save Healthcare Costs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/annual-vaccination-campaign-with-second-dose-protects-high-risk-groups-from-sars-cov-2-may-save-healthcare-costs/) - Implementing an annual vaccination campaign, coupled with administering a second dose to children under 2 years old and individuals aged 50 and over, could serve as an effective strategy in safeguarding against SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated consequences. The research underscores the significance of closely monitoring seasonal and evolutionary trends of the virus to guide
- [Scientists Close in on TB Blood Test Which Could Detect Millions of Silent Spreaders](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-close-in-on-tb-blood-test-which-could-detect-millions-of-silent-spreaders/) - Scientists have taken a major step toward developing a blood test that could identify millions of people who spread tuberculosis unknowingly. A breakthrough study has discovered a group of biological markers that are found in high levels among infectious patients. The researchers hope the findings will pave the way for a simple test that can
- [New TB Classification to Support Efforts to Eliminate the Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-tb-classification-to-support-efforts-to-eliminate-the-disease/) - A new way to classify tuberculosis (TB) that aims to improve focus on the early stages of the disease has been presented by an international team involving researchers at University College London (UCL). The new framework, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, seeks to replace the approach of the last half century of defining TB
- [Humans Pass More Viruses to Animals Than We Catch From Them](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/humans-pass-more-viruses-to-animals-than-we-catch-from-them/) - Humans pass on more viruses to domestic and wild animals than we catch from them, according to a major new analysis of viral genomes by University College London (UCL) researchers. For the new paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the team analyzed all publicly available viral genome sequences, to reconstruct where viruses have jumped
- [A Protein Found in Human Sweat May Protect Against Lyme Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/a-protein-found-in-human-sweat-may-protect-against-lyme-disease/) - Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, affects nearly half a million people in the United States every year. In most cases, antibiotics effectively clear the infection, but for some patients, symptoms linger for months or years. Researchers at MIT and the University of Helsinki have now discovered that human sweat contains a protein
- [AI Can Predict People's Attitudes to Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-can-predict-peoples-attitudes-to-vaccines/) - A powerful new tool in artificial intelligence is able to predict whether someone is willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The predictive system uses a small set of data from demographics and personal judgments such as aversion to risk or loss. The findings frame a new technology that could have broad applications for predicting mental
- [Experts Claim Climate Change Will Fuel Spread of Infectious Diseases](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-claim-climate-change-will-fuel-spread-of-infectious-diseases/) - A team of infectious diseases experts called for more awareness and preparedness in the medical field to deal with the impact of climate change on the spread of diseases. Their article, published today in JAMA raises the alarm about the emergence and spread of harmful pathogens. The authors also urge the medical community to update
- [Non-Culturable Legionella Identified With Sequencing](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/non-culturable-legionella-identified-with-sequencing/) - Legionnaires' disease (LD), a rare and severe type of pneumonia, is a respiratory infection caused by species of Legionella bacteria. One of the most accurate ways to diagnose LD is to perform culture on samples from a patient's lower respiratory tract, but those samples are difficult to obtain. In addition, growing cultures requires specialized culture
- [Four Years Later, What Do We Know About COVID-19?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/four-years-later-what-do-we-know-about-covid-19/) - Four years ago, a virus turned the world upside down. Today, thanks to researchers, medical and public health experts, pharmaceutical companies, engineers and others, we know more and can do more about the coronavirus called SARS-CoV2, and the disease called COVID-19, than ever before. "We're in a much better place than we were just a
- [Study Provides New Insights Into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-provides-new-insights-into-acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome/) - Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities may have discovered a mechanical explanation for instability observed in the lungs in cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), particularly in the aftermath of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 or pneumonia. The research was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS),
- [Long-COVID Patients Report Improvements Following Self-Regulation Therapy, Study Finds](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-covid-patients-report-improvements-following-self-regulation-therapy-study-finds/) - A new UCLA-led study suggests that some people living with long COVID may be able to alleviate certain symptoms by using short-term, self-regulating therapies. The small-scale study, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, recruited a group of 20 long COVID patients, many of whom had been experiencing symptoms for more than a year. Each
- [Flu Vaccination Digital Reminders Improve Turnout but Not Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/flu-vaccination-digital-reminders-improve-turnout-but-not-clinical-outcomes-in-older-adults/) - An analysis of the NUDGE-FLU (Nationwide Utilization of Danish Government Electronic letter system for increasing inFLUenza vaccine uptake) trial found that using digital reminders, or "electronic nudges," improved influenza vaccine rates among older adults, but did not improve clinical outcomes. The analysis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Rates of influenza vaccination remain low
- [Mutations Do Not Predict the Severity of Current Variants of SARS-CoV-2](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mutations-do-not-predict-the-severity-of-current-variants-of-sars-cov-2/) - New research from UNC Charlotte's Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two most prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1, are not significantly better than their predecessor Omicron at evading immune responses and causing infections despite having a high number
- [Choosing OTC Drugs for COVID-19? It’s Complicated](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/choosing-otc-drugs-for-covid-19-its-complicated/) - COVID-19 illness may include symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, cough and fatigue. In January, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its most recent guidelines for the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for COVID-19. Specifically, its guidelines state that most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover
- [Researchers Report Rise in Global Fungal Drug-Resistant Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-report-rise-in-global-fungal-drug-resistant-infections/) - A global wave of infections caused by fungi growing drug-resistant has the medical community issuing precautions on how to protect yourself. Skin contact with microorganisms found in soil or on hard surfaces, such as common shower facilities, or exposure to infected pets, can result in fungal infections known as dermatomycoses. Rashes, itching, burning and skin
- [Researcher Discovers How Heteroresistance Impacts Antibiotic Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researcher-discovers-how-heteroresistance-impacts-antibiotic-resistance/) - A new study shows how heteroresistance, a transient resistance common in many bacteria, can act as a precursor to the development of antibiotic resistance. According to researchers at Uppsala University, this is the first time this link has been demonstrated. "Heteroresistance is common and we have shown that it occurs for at least ten different
- [Newly Identified Yeast Could Prevent Fungal Infections by Outcompeting Rivals, Study Suggests](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/newly-identified-yeast-could-prevent-fungal-infections-by-outcompeting-rivals-study-suggests/) - Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have identified a yeast that could be used to prevent invasive candidiasis, a major cause of death in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. The study, published March 18 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), shows that the novel yeast lives harmlessly in the intestines of mice
- [NIOSH’s Impact Wellbeing Campaign Releases Hospital-Tested Guide to Improve Healthcare Worker Burnout](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nioshs-impact-wellbeing-campaign-releases-hospital-tested-guide-to-improve-healthcare-worker-burnout/) - As part of the first federal campaign to address healthcare worker burnout, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) today released an evidence-informed and actionable guide for the nation's hospital leaders to improve healthcare worker wellbeing - Impact Wellbeing™ Guide: Taking Action to Improve Healthcare Worker
- [Initial SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations Prime Immune Cells to Respond to Subsequent Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/initial-sars-cov-2-vaccinations-prime-immune-cells-to-respond-to-subsequent-variants/) - Antibody responses to new SARS-CoV-2 variant infections and vaccinations are powerfully shaped by prior exposures to earlier SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, according to a new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In the study, published today in Immunity, the researchers analyzed antibody responses in people infected with or vaccinated against the
- [Study Reveals the Perceived Effectiveness of Various Protective Measures During the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-reveals-the-perceived-effectiveness-of-various-protective-measures-during-the-pandemic/) - Building on what was learned to one's cost during the pandemic to improve health management in the future -- this motivation has led scholars and researchers to take up the topic and investigate various aspects beyond the emergency phase. Just recently, an article by the first signatory and corresponding author, Giuseppe Alessandro Veltri of the
- [Vaccine Researchers Take on the Challenge of Predicting B. pertussis Immunization Outcomes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaccine-researchers-take-on-the-challenge-of-predicting-b-pertussis-immunization-outcomes/) - Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) recently published the results of a competition that put researchers to the test. For the competition, part of the NIH-funded Computational Models of Immunity network, teams of researchers from different institutions offered up their best predictions regarding B. pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Each team tried to answer
- [Direct-to-Consumer Microbiome Testing Lacks Regulation and Clinical Validity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/direct-to-consumer-microbiome-testing-lacks-regulation-and-clinical-validity/) - In a Policy Forum, Diane Hoffman and colleagues argue that direct-to-consumer (DTC) microbiome tests lack analytical and clinical validity and require more federal regulation to prevent consumer harm. A growing body of research has suggested the potential for improving human health by better understanding the microbiome, leading to the emergence of a global industry selling
- [Age and Sex Associated With a Patient’s Likelihood of Encountering Antimicrobial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/age-and-sex-associated-with-a-patients-likelihood-of-encountering-antimicrobial-resistance/) - A person's age, sex and location are correlated with the chance that they have a bloodstream infection that is resistant to antibiotics, according to a new study published March 14 in PLOS Medicine by Gwenan Knight of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, and colleagues. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in which infections cannot
- [Long-COVID Indistinguishable From Other Post-Viral Syndromes a Year After Infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-covid-indistinguishable-from-other-post-viral-syndromes-a-year-after-infection/) - Long COVID appears to manifest as a post-viral syndrome indistinguishable from seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses, with no evidence of increased moderate-to-severe functional limitations a year after infection, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) to be held in Barcelona, Spain (April
- [Study Shows Potential for Using AI Tools to Detect HAIs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-potential-for-using-ai-tools-to-detect-hais/) - A new proof-of-concept study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reports that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can accurately identify cases of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) even in complex clinical scenarios. The study, which highlights the need for clear and consistent language when using AI tools for this purpose, illustrates the potential for
- [Our Bacteria are More Personal Than Previously Thought, Study Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/our-bacteria-are-more-personal-than-previously-thought-study-shows/) - Stanford Medicine researchers and their colleagues tracked the gut, mouth, nose and skin bacteria of 86 people for as long as six years to try to gauge what constitutes a healthy microbiome The trillions of bacteria that call your body home - collectively known as the microbiome - appear to be unique to you, like
- [Vaccine Monitoring Crucial as SARS-CoV-2 Variants Continue to Evolve](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaccine-monitoring-crucial-as-sars-cov-2-variants-continue-to-evolve/) - Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Center at UCLH have highlighted the importance of continued surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccine performance as the virus continues to evolve. Published today as a research letter in The Lancet, their study compared the newer monovalent
- [Rising Incidence of Legionnaires’ Disease Due to Unexpected Factor](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/rising-incidence-of-legionnaires-disease-due-to-unexpected-factor/) - A new study links a rise in a serious bacterial illness to an unexpected factor: a decline in air pollution. Legionnaires' disease is a respiratory illness with a fatality rate of 10 percent to 25 percent that is caused by inhaled Legionella bacteria. The bacteria live in water and outbreaks have been linked to water
- [In-Hospital Mortality for Time-Sensitive Conditions Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/in-hospital-mortality-for-time-sensitive-conditions-increased-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to the healthcare system may have resulted in increased mortality for patients with time-sensitive conditions. Jiang, et al. (2024) sought to examine whether in-hospital mortality in hospitalizations not related to COVID-19 (non-COVID-19 stays) for time-sensitive conditions changed during the pandemic and how it varied by hospital urban vs rural location. This cohort
- [Health Professionals, Laypeople Feel Differently About Allocating Scarce Resources in a Crisis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/health-professionals-laypeople-feel-differently-about-allocating-scarce-resources-in-a-crisis/) - The pandemic put a spotlight on the challenges that health systems face when deciding how to allocate scarce resources during a time of crisis. To better understand differing opinions on this issue, researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UC Health conducted a survey of laypeople and healthcare professionals, and found
- [Scientists Find Weak Points on Epstein-Barr Virus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-find-weak-points-on-epstein-barr-virus/) - Studies of interactions between two lab-generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and an essential Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protein have uncovered targets that could be exploited in designing treatments and vaccines for this extremely common virus. The research was led by Jeffrey I. Cohen, MD, and colleagues from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part
- [SARS-CoV-2 Can Linger in the Body More Than a Year After Infection, Study Reveals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/sars-cov-2-can-linger-in-the-body-more-than-a-year-after-infection-study-reveals/) - The COVID-19 virus can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the illness has ended, according to new research from UC San Francisco that offers potential clues to why some people develop long-COVID. The scientists found pieces of SARS-CoV-2, referred to as COVID antigens,
- [Task Force Provides Insights on Hand Hygiene in the Healthcare Setting](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/task-force-provides-insights-on-hand-hygiene-in-the-healthcare-setting/) - Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pose threats to global health. Effective hand hygiene is essential for preventing HAIs and the spread of AMR in healthcare. Tartari, et al. (2024) aimed to highlight the recent progress and future directions in hand hygiene and alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) use in the healthcare setting. In September 2023,
- [MRSA Infection Associated With Longer LOS, Higher Hospital Charges Than MSSA Infection and MRSA Colonization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mrsa-infection-associated-with-longer-los-higher-hospital-charges-than-mssa-infection-and-mrsa-colonization/) - Although there is a growing concern and policy regarding infections or colonization caused by resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the prognosis of MRSA infections compared to that of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections remains controversial. Moreover, there have not been any studies comparing both the burden of disease and its impact on the
- [CDC Study Shows Effectiveness of RSV Immunization for Infants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-study-shows-effectiveness-of-rsv-immunization-for-infants/) - New data released today in CDC's MMWR show that nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody product, was highly effective in protecting infants from hospitalizations associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the United States, and this finding supports CDC's recommendation to protect infants in their first RSV
- [Improving IP&C and Diagnostic Practices Remain Critical Steps to Reduce Antibiotic Prescribing in LTCFs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/improving-ipc-and-diagnostic-practices-remain-critical-steps-to-reduce-antibiotic-prescribing-in-ltcfs/) - Antimicrobial stewardship programs are needed in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Bocquier, et al. (2024) aimed to identify factors associated with antibiotic use in LTCFs. Such information would be useful to guide antimicrobial stewardship programs. The researchers conducted a systematic review of studies retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, APA PsycArticles, APA
- [Children Surpass a Year of HIV Remission After Treatment Pause](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/children-surpass-a-year-of-hiv-remission-after-treatment-pause/) - Four children have remained free of detectable HIV for more than one year after their antiretroviral therapy (ART) was paused to see if they could achieve HIV remission, according to a presentation today at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Denver. The children, who acquired HIV before birth, were enrolled in
- [Medical Malpractice Incidents are More Severe During Daylight Saving Time](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/medical-malpractice-incidents-are-more-severe-during-daylight-saving-time/) - Medical malpractice incidents are more severe during the months of the year when daylight saving time is observed in the U.S., according to a new study that examined three decades of malpractice claims. Results show that both medical malpractice incident severity and payment decisions were higher during the months of daylight saving time compared with
- [What Makes a Pathogen Antibiotic-Resistant?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/what-makes-a-pathogen-antibiotic-resistant/) - Antimicrobial resistance is a story of constantly moving parts and players. With every new or tweaked antibiotic or antimicrobial drug, the targeted pathogens begin the evolutionary dance of acquiring resistance, prompting researchers to constantly develop workarounds or entirely new classes of medicine. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of acquired antimicrobial resistance is critical to the fight,
- [The March 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-march-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - While most infection prevention and control (IP&C)-related efforts target healthcare personnel, there is a new groundswell in the medical community supporting patient education around healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) and the role they can take in advocating for their own health. To access the March issue, CLICK HERE
- [Impact of COVID on Epileptics: Higher Rate of Deaths and Hospital Admissions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/impact-of-covid-on-epileptics-higher-rate-of-deaths-and-hospital-admissions/) - New research shows people with epilepsy had a higher risk of being hospitalised with COVID and of dying from COVID during the first 15 months of the pandemic, new research led by Swansea University and the University of Edinburgh has found. The study focused on 27,000 people with epilepsy in Wales. Amongst this group there
- [Researchers Discover How SARS-CoV-2 Acquires its Spherical Shape](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-discover-how-sars-cov-2-acquires-its-spherical-shape/) - One small protein in SARS-CoV-2, the Membrane protein, or M protein, is the most abundant and plays a crucial role in how the virus acquires its spherical structure. Nonetheless, this protein's properties are not well understood. A research team led by a physicist at the University of California, Riverside, has devised a new method to
- [New AI Smartphone Tool Accurately Diagnoses Ear Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-ai-smartphone-tool-accurately-diagnoses-ear-infections/) - A new cellphone app developed by physician-scientists at UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to accurately diagnose ear infections, or acute otitis media (AOM), could help decrease unnecessary antibiotic use in young children, according to new research published in JAMA Pediatrics. AOM is one of the most common childhood infections
- [New Project Will Use Next-Gen, at-Home Rapid Test to Track COVID-19, RSV and Flu](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-project-will-use-next-gen-at-home-rapid-test-to-track-covid-19-rsv-and-flu/) - The City University of New York (CUNY) Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH) and the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), in collaboration with Pfizer, are initiating a critical two-year prospective epidemiologic study in the spring of 2024 to track acute respiratory infections across the United States. Project
- [Changes in Flu Circulation Means U.S. Likely to See Vaccines Move from Quadrivalent to Trivalent](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/changes-in-flu-circulation-means-u-s-likely-to-see-vaccines-move-from-quadrivalent-to-trivalent/) - U.S. flu vaccines are likely to move from quadrivalent to trivalent due to a change in circulating influenza viruses, says a University of Michigan researcher. Currently, all influenza vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent, meaning that they protect against four different flu viruses. In a new paper published in the New England Journal of
- [New Antibodies Target “Dark Side” of Influenza Virus Protein](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-antibodies-target-dark-side-of-influenza-virus-protein/) - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored "dark side" of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head. The antibodies target a region of the NA protein that is common among many influenza viruses, including H3N2 subtype viruses, and could be
- [Just 9 Percent of Older Americans Were Vaccinated Against RSV Before the Disease Hit This Fall and Winter](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/just-9-percent-of-older-americans-were-vaccinated-against-rsv-before-the-disease-hit-this-fall-and-winter/) - A new study from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that only 9 percent of older Americans had been vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prior to this fall and winter, despite the threat of increased rates of hospitalization and deaths nationwide from the virus. "RSV-along with COVID-19 and influenza-form the current
- [CDC Updates and Simplifies Respiratory Virus Recommendations](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/cdc-updates-and-simplifies-respiratory-virus-recommendations/) - Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health
- [New OIG Report on Nursing Homes Recommends Updaring Infection Control Lessons from the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-oig-report-on-nursing-homes-recommends-updaring-infection-control-lessons-from-the-pandemic/) - This week, a new federal government report on nursing home safety, "Lessons Learned During the Pandemic Can Help Improve Care in Nursing Homes," was released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Among other things, the OIG report recommends updating infection control lessons from the pandemic and
- [Psychologists Address the Attitude of Youths Toward COVID-19 in 2020](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/psychologists-address-the-attitude-of-youths-toward-covid-19-in-2020/) - As part of an international scientific team, RUDN University psychologists surveyed young people from Malaysia and Russia to determine the content and structure of social representations about COVID-19. The results were published in Social Sciences. "Numerous previous studies have repeatedly noted that all of human history can be explained through the lens of disease: how
- [How AI Could Improve Speed and Accuracy of Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Hospitals](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-ai-could-improve-speed-and-accuracy-of-response-to-infectious-disease-outbreaks-in-hospitals/) - A new research review to be given at a pre-congress day for this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) will highlight the potential artificial intelligence (AI) has to improve the speed and accuracy of investigations into infectious disease outbreaks in hospitals, and potentially provide real time information to stop or
- [Long-Term Data Suggests SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccine-Induced Antibody Responses are Long-Lasting](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-term-data-suggests-sars-cov-2-infection-and-vaccine-induced-antibody-responses-are-long-lasting/) - A long-term analysis conducted by leading microbiologists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reveals that antibody responses induced by COVID-19 vaccines are long-lasting. The study results, published online in the journal Immunity on February 22, challenge the idea that mRNA-based vaccine immunity wanes quickly. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes
- [Vaping Can Increase Susceptibility to Infection by SARS-CoV-2](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaping-can-increase-susceptibility-to-infection-by-sars-cov-2/) - Vapers are susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that spreads COVID-19 and continues to infect people around the world, a University of California, Riverside, study has found. The liquid used in electronic cigarettes, called e-liquid, typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavor chemicals. The researchers found propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin alone or along
- [Increased Use of Paxlovid Could Cut Hospitalizations, Deaths and Costs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/increased-use-of-paxlovid-could-cut-hospitalizations-deaths-and-costs/) - Increased use of Paxlovid, the antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, could prevent hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and save tens of billions of dollars a year, according to a new epidemiological model published by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin. In fact, epidemiologists found that treating even 20% of symptomatic cases would
- [How Children’s Birthdays Help Determine the Best Month for Flu Shots](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-childrens-birthdays-help-determine-the-best-month-for-flu-shots/) - Children born in October are most likely to be vaccinated for the flu in October - and are least likely to be diagnosed with influenza, according to results of the first large-scale study of optimal timing for the flu shot. The study, by researchers from the Department of Health Care Policy in the Blavatnik Institute
- [Study Finds High Number of Persistent COVID-19 Infections in the General Population](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-high-number-of-persistent-covid-19-infections-in-the-general-population/) - A new study led by the University of Oxford has found that a high proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the general population lead to persistent infections lasting a month or more. The findings have been published today in the journal Nature. It has long been thought that prolonged COVID-19 infections in immunocompromised individuals may have
- [Researcher Studying Biofilm Dispersal to Combat This Healthcare Challenge](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researcher-studying-biofilm-dispersal-to-combat-this-healthcare-challenge/) - Most chronic wound infections share one thing in common: the presence of biofilms, which are composed of many different microorganisms that congregate as a mass, usually on some type of surface such as a wound bed. Biofilms are thought to be associated with up to 80% of infections, and their ability to stick together makes
- [Studies Find Influenza Vaccines Were Effective in 2022-2023 Flu Season](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/studies-find-influenza-vaccines-were-effective-in-2022-2023-flu-season/) - The prospect of the worrisome triple threat of COVID, RSV and flu was assuaged last year by the effectiveness of flu vaccines. Two recent studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's VISION Network have found that flu vaccines were effective for all ages against both moderate and severe flu in the U.S. during
- [Researchers Create New Antibiotic That Evades Bacterial Resistance](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-create-new-antibiotic-that-evades-bacterial-resistance/) - Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago and Harvard University have developed an antibiotic that could give medicine a new weapon to fight drug-resistant bacteria and the diseases they cause. The antibiotic, cresomycin, described in Science, effectively suppresses pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to many commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs. The promising novel antibiotic is
- [Valley Fever Expert Addresses Current Diagnostics and Treatments for Fungal Disease](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/valley-fever-expert-addresses-current-diagnostics-and-treatments-for-fungal-disease/) - A University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson researcher and internationally recognized expert on Valley fever co-authored a review paper, published earlier this month in the New England Journal of Medicine, that focuses on how fungal diseases present in people with healthy immune systems and examines current diagnostics and treatments. The New England Journal
- [High Vaccination Coverage Key Against Expected Increase of Measles Cases in the EU](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/high-vaccination-coverage-key-against-expected-increase-of-measles-cases-in-the-eu/) - Measles cases are expected to continue increasing in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) in the coming months due to sub-optimal vaccination coverage for measles-containing vaccines (MCV) in a number of EU/EEA countries, the high probability of importation from areas experiencing high circulation and the fact that the coming months represent the seasonal
- [Projecting the Future Registered Nurse Workforce After the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/projecting-the-future-registered-nurse-workforce-after-the-covid-19-pandemic/) - Healthcare delivery systems rely on a well-prepared and adequately sized registered nurse (RN) workforce. The U.S. RN workforce decreased by more than 100,000 in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic-a far greater single-year drop than observed over the past four decades. The implication for the longer-term growth of the RN workforce is unknown. Auerbach, et al.
- [Scientists Discover Hidden Army of Flu Fighters in the Lung](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/scientists-discover-hidden-army-of-flu-fighters-in-the-lung/) - Scientists have long thought of the fluid-filled sac around our lungs merely as a cushion from external damage. Turns out, it also houses potent virus-eating cells that rush into the lungs during flu infections. Not to be confused with phages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, these cells are macrophages, immune cells produced in the
- [Researchers Develop Economical Tool to Facilitate Identification of Disease-Causing Pathogens](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-develop-economical-tool-to-facilitate-identification-of-disease-causing-pathogens/) - Southern Methodist University (SMU) nanotechnology expert MinJun Kim helped a team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin to develop a less expensive way to detect nuclease digestion - one of the critical steps in many nucleic acid sensing applications, such as those used to identify COVID-19. Nucleic acid detection is the primary
- [Study Shows Rapid COVID-19 Tests Done at Home are Reliable](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-rapid-covid-19-tests-done-at-home-are-reliable/) - In a study involving nearly 1,000 patients seen at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) during a five-month period in 2022 - researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the University of Maryland School of Medicine and five other collaborators report that a rapid antigen test (RAT) for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can
- [Researchers Examine Cost-Effectiveness, Safety of Routinely Changing Surgical Gloves, Instruments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-examine-cost-effectiveness-safety-of-routinely-changing-surgical-gloves-instruments/) - Surgeons who routinely change surgical gloves and instruments are incurring similar costs to those using the same equipment, a new study has found. The economic evaluation funded by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) follows a clinical trial conducted at 80 hospitals in Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South
- [COVID-19 Vaccination and Boosting During Pregnancy Protects Infants for Six Months](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-vaccination-and-boosting-during-pregnancy-protects-infants-for-six-months/) - Women who receive an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination or booster during pregnancy can provide their infants with strong protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection for at least six months after birth, according to a study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. These findings, published in Pediatrics,
- [Prolonged Cough? In Most Cases Patience is the Treatment, Research Indicates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/prolonged-cough-in-most-cases-patience-is-the-treatment-research-indicates/) - Coughing after a respiratory infection is common and, in most cases, will resolve with time, according to an article in Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) With the recent bout of respiratory infections across Canada, many people are suffering from a postinfectious cough, or a cough that lasts for weeks after the initial infection has resolved.
- [Review Examines the Mechanisms of Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/review-examines-the-mechanisms-of-long-covid/) - Many individuals infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to experience debilitating clinical symptoms, years after the initial infection. Such clinical symptoms that persist for longer than 12 weeks and cannot be attributed to an alternate diagnosis are referred to as post COVID-19 syndrome or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC),
- [Vaccine Shows Promise Against CMV, a Virus That Causes Birth Defects](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/vaccine-shows-promise-against-cmv-a-virus-that-causes-birth-defects/) - An experimental mRNA vaccine against human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can infect babies during pregnancy, elicited some of the most promising immune responses to date of any CMV vaccine candidate, according to a study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases on Feb. 7, provided evidence
- [Better Diagnosis and Treatment of Cryptococcosis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/better-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-cryptococcosis/) - A group of international mycology experts led by Dr. Oliver A. Cornely at the University of Cologne has jointly drafted a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis, which aims at improving infection management and thus the survival rate of patients. Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection of mainly the lungs that might lead to
- [Study Finds High Levels of Physical Activity Lowered Risk of COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-finds-high-levels-of-physical-activity-lowered-risk-of-covid-19-infection-and-hospitalization/) - A cohort study of older adults found that those who followed recommended exercise guidelines before the pandemic had significantly lower odds of being infected or hospitalized from COVID-19 than those who did not follow guidelines Need another reason to keep up with your exercise routine? Staying active just might protect you from infection and hospitalization
- [Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Variant JN.1 Raises Concerns With Increased Transmissibility and Immune Evasion](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/emergence-of-sars-cov-2-variant-jn-1-raises-concerns-with-increased-transmissibility-and-immune-evasion/) - Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a worldwide threat. The emergence of the BA.2.86 variant, a subvariant of Omicron, has raised significant concerns due to its substantial number of mutations. Discovered in August 2023, this variant differs markedly from other existing types such as Omicron XBB (including EG.5.1 and
- [Deadly Fungal Infection Acquired During Surgery in Mexico Led to Brainstem, Blood Supply Injuries and Death](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/deadly-fungal-infection-acquired-during-surgery-in-mexico-led-to-brainstem-blood-supply-injuries-and-death/) - A life-threatening mold infection known as healthcare-associated Fusarium solani meningitis can be associated with a delayed, but devastating, injury to the brainstem and its blood supply among those infected, according to physicians from UTHealth Houston. A report, led by first author Nora Strong, MD, and senior author Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, was published today in the
- [The February 2024 Issue of Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is Now Available](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/the-february-2024-issue-of-healthcare-hygiene-magazine-is-now-available/) - Usability challenges with medical devices in the home as well as insufficient cleaning instructions for medical devices in the healthcare setting have topped the list of nonprofit patient safety organization ECRI's annual detailing of the most pressing health technology safety hazards for 2024. To access the issue, CLICK HERE.
- [How T Cells Combat Tuberculosis](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-t-cells-combat-tuberculosis/) - La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is working to guide the development of new tuberculosis vaccines and drug therapies. A team of LJI scientists has uncovered important clues to how human T cells combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB. Their findings were published recently in Nature Communications. "This research gives us a better
- [Researchers Investigate New Approach to Lung Repair After Viral Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-investigate-new-approach-to-lung-repair-after-viral-infections/) - In the human body, the lungs and their vasculature can be likened to a building with an intricate plumbing system. The lungs' blood vessels are the pipes essential for transporting blood and nutrients for oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal. Much like how pipes can get rusty or clogged, disrupting normal water flow, damage from
- [Trust in Physicians, Not Public Officials, Boosts COVID-19 Vaccination](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/trust-in-physicians-not-public-officials-boosts-covid-19-vaccination/) - A new study by researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health shows that how Americans view the medical profession shapes whether they are likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Among people who were hesitant or initially didn't want a COVID-19 vaccine, those who trust the medical profession were more likely to ultimately get
- [Study Asserts Many Deaths Attributed to Natural Causes are Actually Uncounted COVID-19 Deaths](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-asserts-many-deaths-attributed-to-natural-causes-are-actually-uncounted-covid-19-deaths/) - A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) provides the first concrete data showing that many excess deaths were uncounted COVID-19 deaths. Published in the journal PNAS, the study compared reported COVID-19 deaths to excess deaths due to non-COVID, natural causes, such as diseases and
- [Researchers Say Media Focus on Vaccine Hesitancy Distorts Reality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-say-media-focus-on-vaccine-hesitancy-distorts-reality/) - Media stories focusing on vaccine hesitancy can distort reality and drive a false narrative that a large percentage of parents are refusing to get their children vaccinated, according to an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine by two pediatricians from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The article, published online in the
- [New Approach to Tackling Bacterial Infections Identified](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-approach-to-tackling-bacterial-infections-identified/) - Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new approach to controlling bacterial infections. The findings were described in the February 6 online issue of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. The team found a way to turn on a vital bacterial defense mechanism to fight and manage bacterial infections. The
- [Investigators Explore What Factors Increase Susceptibility to COVID-19](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/investigators-explore-what-factors-increase-susceptibility-to-covid-19/) - Investigators in the Department of Computational Biomedicine at Cedars-Sinai wanted to find out which factors influenced susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and disease severity the most. Was it genetics? Or was it home environment, meaning the germs circulating throughout your everyday life? The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggest that more was in play
- [Immune Response, Not Acute Viral Infections, are Responsible for Neurological Damage, Researchers Discover](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/immune-response-not-acute-viral-infections-are-responsible-for-neurological-damage-researchers-discover/) - For years, there has been a long-held belief that acute viral infections like Zika or COVID-19 are directly responsible for neurological damage, but researchers from McMaster University have now discovered that it's the immune system's response that is behind it. The research, published on Feb. 5, 2024 in Nature Communications, was led by Elizabeth Balint,
- [New Technology Unscrambles the Chatter of Microbes](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-technology-unscrambles-the-chatter-of-microbes/) - Researchers from University of California San Diego, as part of a large collaboration with scientists around the world, have developed a new search tool to help researchers better understand the metabolism of microorganisms. Microbes are key players in virtually all biological and environmental systems, yet limitations in current techniques used to study microbial metabolism make
- [Machine Learning to Battle COVID-19 Bacterial Co-infection](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/machine-learning-to-battle-covid-19-bacterial-co-infection/) - University of Queensland researchers have used machine learning to help predict the risk of secondary bacterial infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The machine learning technique can help detect whether antibiotic use is critical for patients with these infections. Associate professor Kirsty Short from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said secondary bacterial infections can
- [Researchers Uncover the Architecture of Poxvirus Cores](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-uncover-the-architecture-of-poxvirus-cores/) - A recent re-emergence and outbreak of Mpox brought poxviruses back as a public health threat, underlining an important knowledge gap at their core. Now, a team of researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) lifted the mysteries of poxviral core architecture by combining various cryo-electron microscopy techniques with molecular modeling. The findings,
- [Study Shows Higher Mortality Rates for Patients on Respiratory Support in Rural Intermediate-Care Units](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-shows-higher-mortality-rates-for-patients-on-respiratory-support-in-rural-intermediate-care-units/) - A new National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported study finds that patients receiving ventilator life support in the intermediate care units - a potentially less costly alternative for people not sick enough for the intensive care units (ICUs) but too ill for the general ward - of rural hospitals had significantly higher death rates than patients
- [Researchers Suggest Resistant Bacteria Can Remain in the Body for Years](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-suggest-resistant-bacteria-can-remain-in-the-body-for-years/) - Fighting disease-causing bacteria becomes more difficult when antibiotics stop working. People with pre-existing conditions in particular can carry resistant germs and suffer from repeated infections for years, according to a study by the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel. Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis: diseases like these can become fatal without antibiotics. Some bacteria
- [Mussels-Inspired Antimicrobial Coating Protects Healthcare Fabrics, Scientists Discover](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/mussels-inspired-antimicrobial-coating-protects-healthcare-fabrics-scientists-discover/) - Researchers from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the ICN2 have developed an innovative material to fight against the spread of pathogens, infections and antimicrobial resistance. Inspired by the substances secreted by mussels to adhere to rocks, it can be used as a coating to protect healthcare fabrics and provides an effective alternative to
- [Engineering Viruses to Kill Deadly Pathogens](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/engineering-viruses-to-kill-deadly-pathogens/) - Northwestern University researchers have successfully coaxed a deadly pathogen to destroy itself from the inside out. In the new study, researchers modified DNA from a bacteriophage or "phage," a type of virus that infects and replicates inside of bacteria. Then, the research team put the DNA inside Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a deadly bacterium that
- [New and Highly Infectious E. coli Strain Resistant to Powerful Antibiotics](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-and-highly-infectious-e-coli-strain-resistant-to-powerful-antibiotics/) - A new type of E. coli that is both highly infectious and resistant to some antibiotics has been discovered. The newly identified mutation of antibiotic-resistant E. coli is described in a new paper in Nature Communications. The team, including professor Alan McNally from the University of Birmingham suggests that some existing antibiotics called carbapenems will
- [Understanding the Emergence of Successive SARS-CoV-2 Variants](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/understanding-the-emergence-of-successive-sars-cov-2-variants/) - The emergence of successive SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern during 2020-22 created a need to understand the drivers of such growth; this study by Russell, et al. (2024) uses a Bayesian model to reveal how a set of key covariates (the infecting variant, symptom status, age and number of prior exposures) affect viral kinetics at both
- [Detecting Hepatitis Viruses in Wastewater](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/detecting-hepatitis-viruses-in-wastewater/) - In addition to collecting water samples from the Rhine-Herne canal and the Emscher river over the course of a year, Fiona Rau had access to further wastewater samples from 21 sewage treatment plants in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The subsequent analysis focused on the search for viral RNA of the hepatitis E virus. The results showed
- [People are Inclined to Hide a Contagious Illness While Around Others, Research Shows](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/people-are-inclined-to-hide-a-contagious-illness-while-around-others-research-shows/) - A startling number of people conceal an infectious illness to avoid missing work, travel, or social events, new research at the University of Michigan suggests. The findings are reported in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. Across a series of studies involving healthy and sick adults, 75% of the 4,110 participants
- [Switching to Vegan or Ketogenic Diet Rapidly Impacts Immune System](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/switching-to-vegan-or-ketogenic-diet-rapidly-impacts-immune-system/) - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health observed rapid and distinct immune system changes in a small study of people who switched to a vegan or a ketogenic (also called keto) diet. Scientists closely monitored various biological responses of people sequentially eating vegan and keto diets for two weeks, in random order. They found that
- [Controlling RSV: Real-Life Data Emerges](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/controlling-rsv-real-life-data-emerges/) - Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main reasons leading to hospitalization among young children worldwide and each year, an estimated 101,000 children below the age of 5 years die due to RSV infections. Since the end of 2022, the use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) in infants as means of passive immunization
- [Analysis Suggests U.S. Regulatory System Failed to Prevent Deaths of Frontline Workers During the Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/analysis-suggests-u-s-regulatory-system-failed-to-prevent-deaths-of-frontline-workers-during-the-pandemic/) - An analysis published today in the The BMJ examines the risks faced by frontline workers in the United States during the pandemic and suggests reforms that could protect population health and save lives. Lead author David Michaels at George Washington University and his colleagues note that from the onset laws and regulations in the U.S.
- [DNA Particles That Mimic Viruses Hold Promise as Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/dna-particles-that-mimic-viruses-hold-promise-as-vaccines/) - Using a virus-like delivery particle made from DNA, researchers from MIT and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine, which has been tested in mice, consists of a DNA scaffold that carries many copies of a viral antigen. This
- [Tomato Juice’s Antimicrobial Properties Can Kill Salmonella](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/tomato-juices-antimicrobial-properties-can-kill-salmonella/) - Tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other bacteria that can harm people's digestive and urinary tract health, according to research published this week in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. Salmonella Typhi is a deadly human-specific pathogen that causes typhoid fever. "Our main goal in this study was to find
- [Incidence of Fit-Test Failure During N95 Respirator Reuse and Extended Use](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/incidence-of-fit-test-failure-during-n95-respirator-reuse-and-extended-use/) - The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a widespread acute shortage of N95 respirators, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop guidelines for extended use and limited reuse of N95s for healthcare workers (HCWs). While HCWs followed these guidelines to conserve N95s, evidence from clinical settings regarding the safety of reuse and extended use
- [COVID-19 Pandemic Perceived as Less Serious Than Other Health Problems, Study Indicates](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/covid-19-pandemic-perceived-as-less-serious-than-other-health-problems-study-indicates/) - A large seven-country study has shed light on how serious people find the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other major public health problems. The results were surprising and provide guidance to healthcare providers as well as policymakers. Researchers from seven Environment for Development (EfD) centers plus the EfD Global Hub, located at the University of Gothenburg,
- [Clinical Risk and Outpatient Therapy Utilization for COVID-19 in the Medicare Population](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/clinical-risk-and-outpatient-therapy-utilization-for-covid-19-in-the-medicare-population/) - Multiple therapies are available for outpatient treatment of COVID-19 that are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and mortality. Although racial and socioeconomic disparities in use of these therapies have been documented, Wilcock, et al. (2024) say limited evidence exists on what factors explain differences in use and the potential public health relevance of these differences.
- [Immunocompromised Patients and COVID Infections: Who’s at Risk?](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/immunocompromised-patients-and-covid-infections-whos-at-risk/) - Early in the pandemic, clinicians noticed that certain immunocompromised patients were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, some lasting weeks to months at a time. This raised concerns that one of these cases could be the source of an emerging viral variant that has benefited from an extended battle with the immune system. A prospective study published
- [Pandemic Forced Substantial and Persistent Increase in Healthcare Workforce Turnover](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/pandemic-forced-substantial-and-persistent-increase-in-healthcare-workforce-turnover/) - Anecdotal evidence suggests that healthcare employers have faced increased difficulty recruiting and retaining staff in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors of a new study say empirical research is needed to understand the magnitude and persistence of these changes, and whether they have disproportionate implications for certain types of workers or regions of
- [How the Coronavirus Defends Itself Against Our Immune System](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-the-coronavirus-defends-itself-against-our-immune-system/) - The SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating, which enables it to infect human cells and multiply more and more effectively. In addition, it is developing a variety of strategies against the human immune system in a "molecular arms race. A team led by researchers from the University of Göttingen has now discovered various "protective switches" in the
- [How HIV Smuggles its Genetic Material Into the Cell Nucleus](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/how-hiv-smuggles-its-genetic-material-into-the-cell-nucleus/) - Around a million individuals worldwide become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, each year. To replicate and spread the infection, the virus must smuggle its genetic material into the cell nucleus and integrate it into a chromosome. Research teams led by Dirk Görlich at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Science and Thomas
- [Researchers Create Safer Form of Coxiella burnetii for Scientific Use](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-create-safer-form-of-coxiella-burnetii-for-scientific-use/) - Scientists have unexpectedly discovered that the weakened form of the bacteria Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) not typically known to cause disease, naturally acquired an ability to do so. C. burnetii causes Q Fever in humans and its weakened forms are those used for scientific purposes. Subsequently, the scientists identified the genetic mutation responsible for the
- [Disinfection Is the Most Effective Way to Prevent Viral Contamination of Restroom Surfaces](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/disinfection-is-the-most-effective-way-to-prevent-viral-contamination-of-restroom-surfaces/) - A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) demonstrates that viral particles spread to many restroom surfaces during toilet flushing, regardless of whether the toilet lid is up or down. In this analysis, the only meaningful way of reducing viral particles was through disinfection of the toilet, toilet water, and
- [AI Surveillance Tool Successfully Helps to Predict Sepsis, Saves Lives](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ai-surveillance-tool-successfully-helps-to-predict-sepsis-saves-lives/) - Each year, at least 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis, and approximately 350,000 will die from the serious blood infection that can trigger a life-threatening chain reaction throughout the entire body. In a new study, published in the January 23 online edition of npj Digital Medicine, researchers at University of California San
- [Antibiotics Highjack Bacterial Immunity, Researchers Discover](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/antibiotics-highjack-bacterial-immunity-researchers-discover/) - Bacteria have an immune system that protects them against viruses known as bacteriophages. A research team from the Universities of Tübingen and Würzburg has now shown how this immune system enhances the effect of specific antibiotics against the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae. The immune system is the reason why this bacterium is particularly sensitive to
- [Spike in Flu, COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses Can Lead to Rise in Cardiovascular Complications](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/spike-in-flu-covid-19-and-other-respiratory-illnesses-can-lead-to-rise-in-cardiovascular-complications/) - With a recent surge in influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses, it's critical to pay close attention to your heart-especially if you have heart disease or the risk factors for heart disease. That's the message from experts at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital during American Heart Month. The recent surge can trigger cardiovascular complications from
- [Researchers Unveil Modernized Criteria for Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/researchers-unveil-modernized-criteria-for-pediatric-sepsis-and-septic-shock/) - An international research team led by Tell Bennett, MD, MS, professor of biomedical informatics and pediatric critical care at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, released new diagnostic criteria for sepsis in children this week, marking the first update to the pediatric sepsis definition in nearly two decades. The updated criteria, presented at the
- [Study Sheds Light on How Viral Infections Interact With Our Bodies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-sheds-light-on-how-viral-infections-interact-with-our-bodies/) - Much of what we know about viral respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza comes from studies of symptomatic patients. Now, a new longitudinal study by Columbia University researchers of symptomatic, asymptomatic, and mild infections sheds light on how our bodies respond to these infections on a molecular level. They report the discovery of a gene
- [Blood Analysis in Patients Finds Characteristics of Long-COVID](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/blood-analysis-in-patients-finds-characteristics-of-long-covid/) - Analysis of blood samples from patients with Long-COVID - a debilitating condition with unknown causes - has revealed serum protein changes as the likely culprit. The findings highlight potential biomarkers for Long-COVID diagnosis and could yield insights into treating the condition. Not everyone fully recovers from COVID-19. Roughly 20% of patients diagnosed with it and
- [Virus Database May Advance Research Into Factors Contributing to Respiratory Illness Severity](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/virus-database-may-advance-research-into-factors-contributing-to-respiratory-illness-severity/) - Viral respiratory infections are a significant public health concern. A study published January 18 in the open access journal PLOS Biology by Marta Galanti at Columbia University, New York, United States and colleagues used longitudinal cohort data to create an interactive, publicly-available website, The Virome of Manhattan Project: Virome Data Explorer to visualize cohort characteristics,
- [Bacterial Meningitis Damages 1 in 3 Children for Life](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/bacterial-meningitis-damages-1-in-3-children-for-life/) - One in three children who suffer from bacterial meningitis live with permanent neurological disabilities due to the infection. This is according to a new epidemiological study led by Karolinska Institutet and published in leading medical journal JAMA Network Open. For the first time, researchers have identified the long-term health burden of bacterial meningitis. The bacterial
- [Study Examines Substance Use in First Responders During COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/study-examines-substance-use-in-first-responders-during-covid-19-pandemic/) - Considerable attention has focused on burnout and mental health of physicians and nurses on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. First responders - law enforcement personnel, firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) providers, also experienced increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression due to job-related pressures associated with the pandemic. Given their exposure to work-related
- [Glowing COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Prototype Produces Results in 1 Minute](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/glowing-covid-19-diagnostic-test-prototype-produces-results-in-1-minute/) - Cold, flu and COVID-19 season brings that now-familiar ritual: swab, wait, look at the result. But what if, instead of taking 15 minutes or more, a test could quickly determine whether you have COVID-19 with a glowing chemical? Now, in ACS Central Science, researchers describe a potential COVID-19 test inspired by bioluminescence. Using a molecule
- [Norovirus Outbreaks are Detectable by Wastewater Monitoring Earlier Than by Other Surveillance Methods](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/norovirus-outbreaks-are-detectable-by-wastewater-monitoring-earlier-than-by-other-surveillance-methods/) - While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinates several outbreak and clinical surveillance systems for norovirus, norovirus is strongly under-reported due to individuals not seeking care or not being tested. As a result, norovirus surveillance using case reports and syndromic detection often lags rather than leads outbreaks. Digital epidemiology sources such as search-term
- [NIH-Developed HIV Antibodies Provide Protection in Proof-of-Concept Study](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/nih-developed-hiv-antibodies-provide-protection-in-proof-of-concept-study/) - Three different HIV antibodies each independently protected monkeys from acquiring simian-HIV (SHIV) in a placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study intended to inform development of a preventive HIV vaccine for people. The antibodies-a human broadly neutralizing antibody and two antibodies isolated from previously vaccinated monkeys-target the fusion peptide, a site on an HIV surface protein that helps the
- [New Treatment Options for Bloodstream Infections](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-treatment-options-for-bloodstream-infections/) - An international clinical trial led by professor Achim Kaasch, head of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene at the Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg and professor Harald Seifert, former deputy director of the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene at the University Hospital Cologne, was able to gain decisive new insights
- [New Variants Learn Old Tricks to Stay Ahead of Immune Defenses](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/new-variants-learn-old-tricks-to-stay-ahead-of-immune-defenses/) - Recent SARS-CoV-2 variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 developed abilities missing from the first Omicron variants that allowed them to overcome humans' innate immunity, according to research from University College London (UCL). The study, published in Nature Microbiology, examined viral evolution in eight Omicron variants to better understand how the virus has reacted since the
- [Innovative COVID-19 Analysis Supports Prevention Protocols in Healthcare Settings](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/innovative-covid-19-analysis-supports-prevention-protocols-in-healthcare-settings/) - In early 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a highly contagious and pathogenic virus, made its alarming debut and quickly spread worldwide, causing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that threatened human health and public safety. While the world was brought to a standstill, hospitals and healthcare systems entered unchartered territory and quickly adapted
- [Research Explains the Clinical Failure of Dozens of Candidate Vaccines for Staph](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/research-explains-the-clinical-failure-of-dozens-of-candidate-vaccines-for-staph/) - Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an extremely common bacterial infection; about 30% of people have colonies of SA living in their nose. SA is often harmless, but it is also a leading cause of hospital-acquired and community-associated infections. A vaccine for SA would be a game-changer for public health, but for decades, all vaccine candidates for
- [Majority of U.S. Hospitals Found COVID-19 Reporting Directives to be Inconsistent](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/majority-of-u-s-hospitals-found-covid-19-reporting-directives-to-be-inconsistent/) - The U.S. healthcare response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled challenges in public health reporting systems and electronic clinical data exchange. A new study led by John Jiang, the Eli Broad Endowed Professor of Accounting in MSU's Broad College of Business, examines U.S. hospitals' experiences in public health reporting, accessing clinical data
- [FDA Facilitates Broader Adoption of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide for Medical Device Sterilization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/fda-facilitates-broader-adoption-of-vaporized-hydrogen-peroxide-for-medical-device-sterilization/) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it considers vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) to be an established method of sterilization for medical devices, recognizing VHP's long history of safety and effectiveness. The FDA has revised the final guidance, Submission and Review of Sterility Information in Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Devices Labeled as Sterile,
- [Lessons Learned From COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/lessons-learned-from-covid-19-pandemic/) - A series of 25 editorials and papers exploring community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic are featured in a special supplement of the American Journal of Public Health published today in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL). The supplement, Leveraging the Power of Communities, covers a range of topics, including
- [Many More Infected by TBE Virus Than Previously Known](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/many-more-infected-by-tbe-virus-than-previously-known/) - The number of infections by the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus that are not detected by health services is far higher than previously assumed. This has been shown in a new study of Swedish blood donors from Uppsala University and the University Hospital in Uppsala. The results have been published in the journal Eurosurveillance, which is
- [Experts Call for Improved CDC Communication on Adult Immunization](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/experts-call-for-improved-cdc-communication-on-adult-immunization/) - In an editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine, CUNY SPH distinguished lecturer Scott Ratzan, senior scholar Ken Rabin, and colleagues call for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to "raise its persuasive communications game" on adult immunization to clinicians and the public. They argue that disseminating scientific information alone will not suffice
- [ACIP Releases 2024 Adult Immunization Schedule Featuring Four New Vaccines](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/acip-releases-2024-adult-immunization-schedule-featuring-four-new-vaccines/) - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released its 2024 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule that includes four new vaccines. This year, the Schedule includes the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, the mpox vaccine, a new MenACWY-MenB combo vaccine, and updated versions of the COVID vaccine with both an mRNA and a protein-based adjuvanted formulation.
- [Wastewater Surveillance is Key Tool in Keeping Schools Open During Public Health Emergencies](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/wastewater-surveillance-is-key-tool-in-keeping-schools-open-during-public-health-emergencies/) - Wastewater surveillance is a potent tool in understanding COVID-19 transmission within school settings, according to a ground-breaking study led by epidemiologist David Larsen from Syracuse University. The research team's work that was published recently in PLOS Global Public Health establishes the pivotal role of wastewater analysis in managing the public health response to COVID-19 at
- [More Than 30 New Species of Bacteria Discovered in Patient Samples](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/more-than-30-new-species-of-bacteria-discovered-in-patient-samples/) - Unknown germs are a common occurrence in hospitals. Researchers at the University of Basel have spent many years collecting and analyzing them. They have identified many new species of bacteria, some of which are significant for clinical practice. Bacterial infections can be treated more efficiently if the cause of the disease is known. In most

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- [Following the Three Cs to Prevent Organism Transmission in the Healthcare Environment](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/continuing-education-consortium/following-the-three-cs-to-prevent-organism-transmission-in-the-healthcare-environment/)
- [Patient Safety & Quality](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/) - To access prior columns from 2025-2019: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2025-patient-safety-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2024-patient-safety-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2023-patient-safety-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2022-patient-safety-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2021-patient-safety-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2020-patient-safety-columns/ 2026 articles: Handling Healthcare Personnel Behavior-Related Deviance to Uphold Patient Safety and Quality By Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum, BA, AA, CHL, CRCST This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Patient safety and quality of care are primary topics of
- [2020 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2020-patient-safety-columns/) - CDC Releases New Guidance on Potential Additional Routes of COVID-19 Transmission By J. Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, MSL-BC, CPPS, CPHQ, NREMT, CADS, FACDONA, FAAPM, FNAP This column originally appeared in the November 2020 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- [2021 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2021-patient-safety-columns/) - The Participative Approach to Leadership By J. Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, BC-MSLcert™, NCEE, NREMT, MSL-BC, DICO-C, TR-C, CPPS, CPHQ, CPXP, FACDONA, FAAPM, FNAP, FSHEA, FIDSA This column originally appeared in the December 2021 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taught healthcare a
- [2023 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2023-patient-safety-columns/) - The Need for Speed: Infection Prevention is a Quality-Oriented Sport By Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, BC-MSLcert™, MSL-BC, CPPS, CPHQ, CPXP, CVAHP, CIC, LTC-CIP, FACDONA, FAAPM, FNAP, FSHEA, FIDSA, FACHE This article originally appeared in the May 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Infection prevention and control
- [2022 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2022-patient-safety-columns/) - Implementation of Antibiotic Stewardship Across the Continuum of Care By J. Hudson Garrett Jr., PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, BC-MSLcert™, MSL-BC, CPPS, CPHQ, CPXP, CVAHP, FACDONA, FAAPM, FNAP, FSHEA, FIDSA, FACHE This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control
- [2024 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2024-patient-safety-columns/) - Exploring the Shift in Job Satisfaction in Sterile Processing By Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum, BA, AA, CHL, CRCST This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. The transformation of sterile processing is a captivating journey that mirrors broader shifts in the healthcare sector and career fulfillment. Traditional positions in sterile processing have
- [2025 patient safety columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/patient-safety-quality/2025-patient-safety-columns/) - The Role of Bedside Manner in Patient Safety and Quality By Kristina Pirollo-Ketchum, BA, AA, CHL, CRCST This article originally appeared in the July-August 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Focus on patient safety and quality of care is a pillar of the modern healthcare system. These principles deal with avoiding harm to the patients
- [Microbiology](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/) - To access previous columns from 2025 to 2019: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2025-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2024-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2023-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2022-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2021-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2020-microbiology-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2019-microbiology-columns/ 2026 articles: Rethinking Vaccination Policy and Reinforcing Public Health's Foundation By Rodney Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP) CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Recent decisions to overhaul the U.S. childhood
- [Healthcare Textiles & Laundry](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/) - To access previous columns from 2025 to 2019: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2025-laundry-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2024-laundry-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2023-laundry-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2021-2019-laundry-columns/ 2026 articles: Early Warning Signs Your Hospital Linen Program Is About to Fail-And How to Fix Them By Gregory Gicewicz This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Most hospital linen programs don't collapse overnight. They erode slowly, sending
- [Environmental Hygiene](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/) - To access previous columns from 2025 to 2020: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2025-eh-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2023-eh-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2020-2022-eh-columns/ 2026 articles: Expanded Guide to Patient Progression and Throughput in Acute-Care Hospitals: A National Call to Action for Healthcare Professionals and Administrators By Michael Parker, CMIP, T-CHEST, T-CSCT, T-CNACC This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. This guide
- [Infection Prevention & Control](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention-control/) - To access previous columns from 2019 through 2025: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2025-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2024-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2023-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2022-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2021-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2020-ip-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2019-ip-columns/ 2026 articles: From Seat to Strategy: Embedding Infection Prevention into Organizational Leadership By Deborah Ellis, PhD, MPH, AL-CIP, CPHQ, FACHE This article originally appears in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Early in my career as an
- [Devices & Instruments](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/) - To access previous columns from 2025 to 2019: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2025-sp-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2024-sp-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2023-sp-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2022-sp-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2021-sp-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2020-2019-sp-columns/ 2026 articles: Infection Prevention and Sterile Processing: Partnering for Quality, Safety and Survey Readiness By Eva Sabet Ghabrial, MBBCH, MHA, MPH, CIC, HACP, CRCST; and Casey Stanislaus Czarnowski, BA, CRCST, CIS, CER This article originally appeared in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue
- [Continuing Education Consortium](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/continuing-education-consortium/) - Quality Continuing Education for the IP&C Sector The Continuing Education Consortium Provides Online-Based, Self-Paced CE Modules GET CE Welcome To The Continuing Education Consortium Collaborating With The Top Instructors And Knowledge Thought Leaders In Infection Prevention, Healthcare Epidemiology, Quality/Safety, Risk Management, Scientific R&D, And More! Whether you need contact hours of nursing continuing education for
- [Monthly Magazine Issues](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/monthly-issues/) - The Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine issue is now available. The Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine is now available. The Sept-Oct 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine is now available. The July-August 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine is now available. The May-June 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine is now
- [2019 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2019-microbiology-columns/) - KPC: The Beginning of the End? By Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP)CM SVCM, MBCM, FACSc This column originally appeared in the November 2019 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. First appearing in the United States in the late 1990s, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPCs)-producing bacteria have spread rapidly across hospitals and long-term care facilities in many
- [2020 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2020-microbiology-columns/) - Let's Go Campy(ing) By Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP)CM SVCM, MBCM, FACSc This column originally appeared in the December 2020 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. According to the most recent 2019 CDC publication, Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Threats in the United States, Campylobacter causes an estimated 1.5 million infections and $270 million in direct medical
- [2021 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2021-microbiology-columns/) - What is Herd Immunity? A Public Health Expert and a Medical Laboratory Scientist Explain By Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP) CMSV CM,MBCM, FACSc, and Ryan McNamara, PhD This content originally appeared on The Conversation blog. The term herd immunity means that enough of a population has gained immunity to stifle a pathogen's spread. You
- [2022 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2022-microbiology-columns/) - 'Tis the Respiratory Season By Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP) CMSV CM, MBCM, FACSc This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. As the holiday season arrives, most of us are busy planning for family visits, traveling, and having time together with loved ones and friends. It is especially
- [2023 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2023-microbiology-columns/) - Should We be Worried About Human Parainfluenza Viruses? By Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP) CM, SVCM, MBCM, FACSc This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Once upon a time, in a 2009 World Health Organization Summary, I read a statement that has always stuck with me as a
- [2024 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2024-microbiology-columns/) - Exosomes: A Novel Diagnostics Platform for Infectious Disease By Adeyemi A. Olanrewaju This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Finding novel platforms to diagnose infectious disease has been in the forefront of research over the past decades. It has been particularly challenging because groups of organisms can share the
- [2025 microbiology columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/microbiology/2025-microbiology-columns/) - Tuberculosis: Principles of Laboratory Detection for Healthcare Professionals By Priya Dhagat, MS, MLS(ASCP) CM, CIC This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Tuberculosis remains a leading infectious disease killer despite being an ancient disease dating back thousands of years. According to the WHO, over 10 million people fell ill
- [Hand Hygiene](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/) - To access previous columns from 2025 to 2021: https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2025-hh-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2024-hh-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2023-hh-columns/ https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2021-2022-hh-columns/ Rethinking Hand Hygiene in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Approach to Infection Control By Robert P. Lee This article appears in the Jan-Feb 2026 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Infection prevention is one of the cornerstones of patient safety in healthcare settings. The importance of
- [2021-2019 laundry columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2021-2019-laundry-columns/) - Healthcare Linen Processing Starts With Soil-Sort Excellence By Gregory Gicewicz This column originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. In software engineering, the cost of detecting and fixing defects increases exponentially the farther they are discovered downstream. A bug found during the design phase is simple and inexpensive to fix. Conversely,
- [2023 laundry columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2023-laundry-columns/) - Staying Abreast of Revisions to Surgical Attire Guidelines Spotlight on Section 2.1 Fabric and the differences you can expect in the 2024 Guidelines release By John Scherberger, FAHE, CMIP; and David W. Koenig, PhD This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. As French novelist Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) asserted, "The
- [2024 laundry columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2024-laundry-columns/) - The Critical Role of Processing Specialty Healthcare Textiles: Introducing "Textdevices" By Gregory Gicewicz This article orginally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Imagine you're a surgeon mid-operation, working on a complex, high-risk case. Suddenly, the surgical gown meant to shield you begins to fail, exposing you to potential infection risks. Though
- [2025 laundry columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/healthcare-textiles-laundry/2025-laundry-columns/) - The Journey By Gregory Gicewicz This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Maurice had been supervising production for eight months. Every day carried the same rhythm - trucks backing into the dock, soiled linens unloaded, washers churning, dryers spinning, folders stacking. Thousands of pieces a day: sheets, towels, scrubs,
- [2025 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2025-ip-columns/) - Compliance Isn't a Checklist: Building Infection Control Habits That Actually Stick By Joi A. McMillon, BSN, MBA HA, CRRN, WCC, CJCP, HACP-CMS, CIC, AL-CIP This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Culture eats compliance for breakfast. Let's be honest - most healthcare facilities don't fail surveys because they don't
- [2025 HH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2025-hh-columns/) - Hand Hygiene Compliance in Healthcare: A Comparison of International and U.S. Models By Robert P. Lee This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective interventions in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), yet achieving and sustaining high compliance among healthcare workers continues to be
- [2025 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2025-sp-columns/) - Interdepartmental Surveys Aid SPD-OR Improvements By Tony Thurmond, CRCST, CHL, CIS, FHSPA This article originally appeared in the Nov-Dec 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Sterile processing (SP) professionals are experts in decontamination, inspection, disinfection, sterilization, and the storing and transporting of products used throughout the facility. At the same time, they must recognize that
- [2022 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2022-sp-columns/) - Enhanced SPD Cleaning Practices Aid Infection Control Efforts By David Taylor III, MSN, RN, CNOR This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Preserving our commitment to patients requires significant moral courage and years of exceptional preparation. Today's sterile processing (SP) technicians practice in very complex, stressful environments, which can
- [2020-2019 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2020-2019-sp-columns/) - Measure 2020's Triumphs and Pitfalls, Chart Course for Progress in 2021 By Nicholas Schmitz, PMP, LSSBB This column originally appeared in the December 2020 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. At the end of each year, I always recommend using it as a time to closely reflect on what transpired in the department over those 12
- [2021 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2021-sp-columns/) - Sterile Storage Could be Compromising Patient Care, Safety By David Taylor, MSN, RN, CNOR This column originally appeared in the December 2021 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Many factors need to be considered regarding sterile storage of instrumentation and supplies. Although sterile storage is a critically important aspect of sterile processing (SP), many SP professionals
- [2023 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2023-sp-columns/) - Securing Funds for SPD Capital Purchasing to Help Keep Operations Running Optimally By Marie Brewer, CST, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, GTS, CLSSBB This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Sterile processing (SP) leaders often experience budgetary cuts or see their requests for capital purchases denied, but tapping alternate sources
- [2024 SP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/devices-instruments/2024-sp-columns/) - AAMI Updates Chemical Sterilization, HLD Standard By Susan Klacik, BS, CRCST, CIS, CHL, FCS, AAMIf This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) released its updated ST58 Chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection in health care facilities. The standard guides the selection
- [2020-2022 EH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2020-2022-eh-columns/) - Three New Studies Evaluate the Impact of Environmental Hygiene Strategies on HAI Reduction By Linda Homan, RN, BSN, CIC This article originally appeared in the September 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. In today's environment of limited budget and staffing resources for environmental hygiene, it is more important than ever to weigh the evidence before
- [2023 EH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2023-eh-columns/) - Water Quality and Conservation By Richard Dixon and David W. Koenig, PhD This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Water is vital for life on this planet. Some organisms have up to 90 percent water by body weight. Humans contain up to 60 percent water. Water is also critical
- [2025 EH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/surface-hygiene/2025-eh-columns/) - What It Means to Be Innovative as an Environmental Services Director in Healthcare Today By Michael Parker, CMIP, T-CHEST, T-CNACC, T-CSCT This article originally appeared in the July-August 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare, the role of the environmental services (EVS) director has undergone a profound transformation.
- [2021-2022 HH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2021-2022-hh-columns/) - Hand Hygiene in Surgical Services: Why Not a Digital Approach? By Robert P. Lee This column originally appeared in the March 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. This article is designed to catalyze some creative thinking around one of the most important areas of a hospital, the perioperative space, which includes pre-op, the operating room
- [2023 HH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2023-hh-columns/) - Integrated Delivery Networks and Hand Hygiene Compliance By Robert P. Lee This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. A healthcare Integrated Delivery Network (IDN) is an assemblage of healthcare providers, including both acute (hospitals) and non-acute care sites (clinics, physician offices, surgery centers, long term care, etc). Supply chain
- [2024 HH columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/hand-hygiene/2024-hh-columns/) - Pathogen Tracking and the Information Superhighway By Robert P. Lee This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. How do you track pathogens in your healthcare system? If you use technology, does it have this functionality? There are digital technologies that utilize state-of-the-art data capture functionalities to capture workflow data,
- [2019 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention-control/2019-ip-columns/) - Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria: A Dangerous Intersection By Barbara DeBaun, MSN, RN, CIC This column originally appeared in the December 2019 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. It was a dark and stormy specimen. You know the story. It begins with a well-meaning nurse who notices that the urine in the patient's urinary drainage bag is
- [Infection Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/) - When to Hire an Infection Prevention Consultant: A Guide for Healthcare Leaders and Product Developers By Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC This article originally appeared in the March-April 2025 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. In the healthcare industry, the role of an infection preventionist (IP) is crucial for safeguarding patient safety and ensuring regulatory
- [2020 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2020-ip-columns/) - Herd Immunity and COVID-19 By Sue Barnes, RN, CIC, FAPIC This column originally appeared in the December 2020 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. When a large percentage of a community is immune to an infectious disease, ongoing transmission of the disease is unlikely. This state is termed herd immunity, and it can be achieved through
- [2021 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2021-ip-columns/) - Keeping Instruments Appropriate for Reprocessing By Sylvia Garcia-Houchins, RN, MBA, CIC This column originally appeared in the December 2021 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. In 2018 approximately 14.4 million operative procedures took place during inpatient stays1 and an estimated 129 million outpatient surgical procedures were performed.2 Add that information to results from an American College
- [2022 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2022-ip-columns/) - Tracer Methodology: An Important Infection Control Tool for Identifying Risk By Sylvia Garcia-Houchins This article originally appeared in the October 2022 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Each infection prevention and control program within healthcare organizations across the nation is unique. All infection prevention programs should share similar foundation and structure, but each individual program is
- [2023 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2023-ip-columns/) - Infection Prevention and Advocacy: A Conversation About Appropriations and Policies to Enhance the Profession This article originally appeared in the December 2023 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Jill Holdsworth, MS, CIC, FAPIC, NREMT, CRCST, manager of infection prevention at Emory University Hospital Midtown, and Rich Capparell, director of legislative affairs for the Association for Professionals
- [2024 IP columns](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/infection-prevention/2024-ip-columns/) - The Importance of Infection Prevention Expertise: Why Google Can't Replace a Professional By Melissa Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Several years ago, I shared a story that still resonates with me today, especially after living through a global health crisis. The pandemic
- [IP&C Field Guide](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/ipc-field-guide/) - Introducing the IP&C Field Guide Keystone Media Inc. (publisher of Healthcare Hygiene magazine) and Keystone Continuing Education, LLC offer the IP&C Field Guide™ as a unique way to educate healthcare professionals and other key stakeholders on the principles and practices of infection prevention and control (IP&C). By using a theme of the outdoors and positioning
- [ID Watch](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/id-watch/) - Introducing ID Watch Healthcare Hygiene magazine is partnering with noted infectious disease physician Ed Septimus, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, to bring the ID Watch publication to a wider audience of infection preventionists, healthcare epidemiologists, infectious disease doctors and other healthcare stakeholders who need executive summaries of the key studies, guidelines and recommended practices impacting the
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- [Buy IP&C Field Guide](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/buy-ipc-field-guide/) - Welcome to the inaugural Shop page on the Healthcare Hygiene magazine website. This page facilitates the purchase of the IP&C Field Guide: Scout Edition, the first in a series of guidebooks for infection prevention offered by Keystone Media Inc., publisher of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. To read more about the IP&C Field Guide, CLICK HERE.
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- [ID Watch for IPs](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/id-watch-for-ips/) - Introducing ID Watch for IPs Earlier this year, Healthcare Hygiene magazine partnered with noted infectious disease physician Ed Septimus, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA, to bring the ID Watch publication to a wider audience of infection preventionists, healthcare epidemiologists, infectious disease doctors and other healthcare stakeholders who need executive summaries of the key studies, guidelines and
- [Launch Lab](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/launch-lab/) - INTRODUCING LAUNCH LAB Take Your IPC Program, People or Product to the Next Level IPC Launch + Keystone Media Inc. are partnering to provide science-driven, evidence-based solutions to the infection prevention and control sector through education/training; consulting, coaching and mentoring services; ecommerce programs; media and custom publishing; and much more. Leveraging the power of decades
- [About Us](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/about-us/) - Healthcare Hygiene Magazine is the Science-Driven, Alternative Voice in the Infection Prevention Media Segment Healthcare Hygiene magazine was launched to build bridges between stakeholders from infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, patient safety, risk management, quality improvement, healthcare value analysis, biomedical engineering, scientific R&D, manufacturers, regulatory and compliance bodies, as well as accreditation agencies. It provides a
- [Long-Term Care Infection Prevention](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/long-term-care-infection-prevention/) - As We Head into Fall, Make Proactive Prevention a Priority at Your Facility By Buffy Lloyd-Krejci, DrPH, MS, CIC, LTC-CIP This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of Healthcare Hygiene magazine. Summer. It's a time to get away and reset. To enjoy long, lazy days at the pool. And, of course, to BBQ
- [Special Editions](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/special-editions/) - Special Edition on Healthcare Value Analysis and Supply Chain This special edition of Healthcare Hygiene magazine examines imperatives in healthcare value analysis and supply chain. Special Edition on Sterile Processing Imperatives This special edition of Healthcare Hygiene magazine explores the importance of education and certification in the sterile processing department. Special Edition on Environmental Hygiene
- [Contact Us](https://www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com/contact/) - Request a Media Kit Healthcare Hygiene magazine can assist you in telling your scientific story. We offer competitive prices on display, digital and web advertising, plus digitized whitepapers and webinars at special rates to help companies in the infection prevention space during this challenging time of COVID-19, when conferences are in flux and healthcare end
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