Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Antibiotics Tied To IBD In People Over 60; Phage Therapy Possible Treatment For Antibiotic Resistance
CIDRAP: Antibiotics Linked To Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Older Adults
A new study suggests antibiotic use in people over 60 may be linked to an increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study, which will be presented at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week conference, to be held May 21 through 24, found that, in a cohort of more than 2.3 million adults ages 60 to 90, any antibiotic use was associated with a 64% increase in developing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease—the primary components of IBD. The risk rose with each additional dose of antibiotics. (Dall, 5/13)
ScienceDaily: Antibiotic Resistance Represents A Major Public Health Challenge, Associated With A High Mortality Rate
Antibiotic resistance represents a major public health challenge, associated with a high mortality rate. While bacteriophages -- viruses that kill bacteria -- could be a solution for fighting antibiotic-resistant pathogens, various obstacles stand in the way of their clinical development. To overcome them, researchers have developed a model to better predict the efficacy of phage therapy and possibly develop more robust clinical trials. (INSERM, Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale, 5/17)
CIDRAP: COVID Vaccines May Cut Hospital Omicron Cases In Youth
Two new observational studies detail Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protection among US children and adolescents amid the Omicron variant surge, one finding 71% efficacy against infection after a third dose in 12- to 15-year-olds, and the second showing lower risks of infection and hospitalization in vaccinated youth aged 5 to 17 in New York state. The studies were published late last week in JAMA. (Van Beusekom, 5/16)
New England Journal of Medicine: Albuterol–Budesonide Fixed-Dose Combination Rescue Inhaler For Asthma
As asthma symptoms worsen, patients typically rely on short-acting β2-agonist (SABA) rescue therapy, but SABAs do not address worsening inflammation, which leaves patients at risk for severe asthma exacerbations. The use of a fixed-dose combination of albuterol and budesonide, as compared with albuterol alone, as rescue medication might reduce the risk of severe asthma exacerbation. (Papi, MD, et al, 5/15)
The Lancet: Safety And Immunogenicity Of The Rotavac And Rotasiil Rotavirus Vaccines Administered In An Interchangeable Dosing Schedule Among Healthy Indian Infants
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis among children younger than 5 years in low-income and middle-income countries. Two vaccines—Rotavac and Rotasiil—are used in routine immunisation in India. The safety and immunogenicity of these vaccines administered in a mixed regimen is not documented. We therefore aimed to compare the safety and seroresponse of recipients of a mixed regimen versus a single regimen. (Kanungo, PhD, et al, 5/16)
