Study Estimates Global Prevalence of SJS/TEN Linked to Antibiotics
According to the first meta-analysis to examine the worldwide prevalence of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) in connection with antibiotics, researchers found that antibiotics were associated with 28% of all cases of SJS and TEN. The metanalysis involved 38 studies with 2,917 patients from more than 20 countries. 86% of all SJS/TEN cases were associated with a single drug, with the rest involving multiple drug triggers, infections, or other causes. More than a quarter (28%) of those patients had used an antibiotic, and the sulfonamides were the class most often triggering SJS/TEN. Full Access: Medscape
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FDA Authorizes First Over-the-Counter At-Home Test to Detect Both Influenza and COVID-19 Viruses
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first over-the-counter (OTC) at-home diagnostic test that can differentiate and detect influenza A and B, commonly known as the flu, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home Test is a single-use at-home test kit that provides results from self-collected nasal swab samples in roughly 30 minutes. Full Access: FDA
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Paxlovid Doesn’t Increase Risk for Rebound COVID Infection: Study
Researchers found that patients who received Paxlovid, Lagevrio, or no antiviral medication had rebounds at similar rates, ranging from 4.5% to 6.6%. The study included 4,592 people in Hong Kong who were hospitalized within 3 days of a COVID diagnosis. The study period during the time that the Omicron subvariant BA.2.2 was predominant. Full Access: The Lancet
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Increase in Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigellosis in the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring an increase in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections (shigellosis) reported through national surveillance systems. Clinicians treating patients infected with XDR strains have limited antimicrobial treatment options. XDR Shigella strains can spread antimicrobial resistance genes to other enteric bacteria. Given these potentially serious public health concerns, CDC asks healthcare professionals to be vigilant about suspecting and reporting cases of XDR Shigella infection to their local or state health department and educating patients and communities at increased risk about prevention and transmission. Full Access: CDC