The Infectious Diseases Society of America Annual Meeting (IDWeek 2013)
The annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America was held from Oct. 2 to 6 in San Francisco and attracted more than 5,000 participants from around the world, including scientists, physicians, and other health care professionals. The conference featured education courses and comprehensive educational programs focusing on the latest advances in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases as well as providing insight into emerging infections, new diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic interventions.
In one study, David Bernstein, M.D., of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, and colleagues evaluated the efficacy of a bivalent vaccine containing virus like particles from two different norovirus strains. The investigators sought to determine if vaccination would reduce the number of cases of vomiting and diarrhea in those who received the vaccine compared to those who received a placebo.
"We found that the vaccine was over 50 percent protective. In other words, there were about half as many cases of vomiting and diarrhea in the vaccine group compared to the placebo group," said Bernstein. "In addition, the vaccine worked even better against more severe disease, so that there were no cases of severe disease in the vaccine group. This is important because we want the vaccine to be effective in preventing severe disease and therefore keep people out of the hospital and from having to see their doctor."
Several authors disclosed financial ties (including employment) to Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
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Sean O'Leary, M.D., M.P.H., of the Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver, and colleagues interviewed both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parents of adolescents who either had not started or had not completed the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series. The authors sought to understand the reasons why parents do not vaccinate or complete vaccination of their children against HPV.
"Among English-speaking parents, we found a belief that the risk of HPV infection and related diseases was questionable. In addition, parents were concerned about the safety of the vaccine, and still considered the vaccine to be 'new.' Parents expressed a desire for more information about HPV infection and vaccination from a reliable source such as a health care provider. Parents also expressed a desire for what they considered 'definitive proof' of need for the vaccine, its effectiveness, and safety," said O'Leary. "Finally, among parents whose daughters had started but not finished the HPV vaccine series, many reported that they weren't aware of the importance of getting all three shots. Interestingly, for some parents, concerns about HPV vaccine didn't start until after their daughters had received the first dose."
Among Spanish-speaking parents, the investigators found that parents reported very little understanding of the HPV vaccination or its risks or benefits. In addition, parents frequently reported that a provider had not actually recommended their daughter get vaccinated against HPV.
"Spanish-speaking parents whose daughters had not started the HPV series were also concerned that vaccinating against HPV would encourage sexual activity," said O'Leary. "Similar to the English-speaking parents, a major barrier to completing the series for those who had started it was that providers had not informed them of the need for more than one dose of vaccine."
According to O'Leary, both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parents felt that reminders for completing the series would be helpful. Therefore, O'Leary recommends that physicians should clearly explain the benefits of HPV vaccination as well as the need to receive all three shots in the series.
One author disclosed financial ties to Merck and Pfizer.
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IDSA: Universal Glove, Gown Use Doesn't Cut MRSA, VRE in ICU
MONDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in the intensive care unit (ICU) is not associated with a significant decrease in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) acquisition compared with usual care, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with presentation at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDWeek), held from Oct. 2 to 6 in San Francisco.
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IDSA: Antibiotics Still Overused in Bronchitis, Sore Throats
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Antibiotic prescribing for acute bronchitis and sore throats is still high, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDWeek), held from Oct. 2 to 6 in San Francisco.
"Education of doctors and patients has only taken us so far. We need doctors and patients to have a conversation about whether an antibiotic is needed. Patients shouldn't go into their visits hoping for an antibiotic and doctors shouldn't assume that patients want them," said Jeffrey Linder, M.D., of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, one of the authors of the studies.
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IDSA: Oral Ingestion Viable for Fecal Microbiome Transplant
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI), fecal microbiome transplantation via ingestion of fecal microbes is well-tolerated and arrests rCDI, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDWeek), held from Oct. 2 to 6 in San Francisco.
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