Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Covid; Diverticulitis; Antibiotic Resistance; Uterine Fibroids; Cancer Drugs
CIDRAP: Seasonal Coronavirus Antibodies Correlate With Lower COVID-19 Severity
Patients critically ill with COVID-19 infections had significantly lower levels of antibodies against seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) OV43 and HKU1 than those with mild to severe infections, according to a German study published yesterday in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers say the results could indicate that prior infections from seasonal coronaviruses, which frequently present as mild pediatric respiratory tract infections, may help prevent severe COVID-19 illness. (2/23)
New England Journal of Medicine: Video: Emergency Intubation In Covid-19
The video “Emergency Intubation in Covid-19” is intended for health care personnel involved in performing emergency endotracheal intubation in patients with suspected or proven infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the respiratory illness coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).1 Endotracheal intubation in patients with Covid-19 poses a risk of infection for the health care personnel involved in the procedure. Meticulous planning and preparation and the use of practice drills can minimize the risk of contagion and enhance safety. The use of a printed checklist that includes each step involved in emergency intubation in patients presumed to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 is strongly encouraged (Figure 1).2 The techniques used may vary depending on institutional guidelines and the available equipment. (Shrestha et al, 2/18)
JAMA Network: Association Of SARS-CoV-2 Seropositive Antibody Test With Risk Of Future Infection
Can observational clinical data from commercial laboratories be used to evaluate the comparative risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection for individuals who are antibody positive vs those who are antibody negative? In this cohort study of more than 3.2 million US patients with a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, 0.3% of those indexed with positive test results had evidence of a positive nucleic acid amplification test beyond 90 days after index, compared with 3.0% indexed with negative antibody test results. (Harvey, 2/24)
CIDRAP: Study Supports Fluoroquinolone-Sparing Treatment For Diverticulitis
An analysis of two separate cohorts of adults who received antibiotics for diverticulitis indicates that amoxicillin-clavulanate is a safe and effective treatment and may reduce the risk of fluoroquinolone-related harms, US researchers reported today in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Using two large insurance claims databases, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill compared the outcomes for diverticulitis patients treated with the two most commonly prescribed antibiotic regimens for diverticulitis—metronidazole combined with a fluoroquinolone or amoxicillin-clavulanate alone—and found no differences in the 1-year risk of hospital admission or urgent surgery, or the long-term risk of elective surgery. Furthermore, older patients treated with metronidazole-with-fluoroquinolone had an increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). (Dall, 2/23)
New England Journal of Medicine: Treatment Of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms With Relugolix Combination Therapy
Uterine fibroids are a common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. Treatment with the combination of relugolix (an oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone-receptor antagonist), estradiol, and norethindrone acetate, administered once daily, may have efficacy in women with uterine fibroids and heavy bleeding while avoiding hypoestrogenic effects. (Al-Hendy et al, 2/18)
CIDRAP: Study Finds Herbicides Increase Antibiotic Resistance Genes In Soil
New research by scientists from China and the United Kingdom shows that three widely used herbicides increase the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in soil bacteria, along with the mobile genetic elements that enable those genes to move between bacteria. The research appeared yesterday in Molecular Biology and Evolution. In a series of experiments, the scientists showed that application of the herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate, and dicamba to soil microcosms over 60 days significantly increased the total abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in soil bacteria, with glyphosate showing a ninefold increase in antibiotic resistance genes compared with control soil samples. In addition, glufosinate and glyphosate significantly increased total abundances of mobile genetic elements, with glyphosate and glufosinate having more of an impact than dicamba. (2/17)
JAMA Network: Assessment Of Coverage In England Of Cancer Drugs Qualifying For US Food And Drug Administration Accelerated Approval
Are cancer drugs granted accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended for funding through the National Health Service (NHS) in England? (Cherla, 2/24)
