PCORI Awards $37 Million To Accelerate Implementation of Evidence-Based Health Research

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) today announced $37 million in funding awards through its Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII). These awards will support 25 projects implementing PCORI-funded comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) findings in participating HSII health systems.

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Researchers Report Potential New Treatment Regimens for Multidrug-Resistant TB Meningitis

In a preliminary study with a small number of humans, rabbits and mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center say they have developed four new regimens that have the potential to treat and save the lives of people with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculous (TB) meningitis.

Under embargo: Over-the-counter nasal sprays could keep coughs, colds and flu at bay and reduce antibiotic use, large-scale trial finds

Widely available over-the counter nasal sprays could keep upper respiratory tract infections – like 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.

Inflammation-reducing drug shows no benefit for dry age-related macular degeneration in NIH trial

The drug minocycline, an antibiotic that also decreases inflammation, failed to slow vision loss or expansion of geographic atrophy in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a phase II clinical study at the National Eye Institute (NEI),…

Antibiotic resistance outwitted by supercomputers

Scientists may have made a giant leap in fighting the biggest threat to human health by using supercomputing to keep pace with the impressive ability of diseases to evolve.
A new study by an international team, co-led by Dr Gerhard Koenig from the University of Portsmouth, tackled the problem of antibiotic resistance by redesigning existing antibiotics to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms.

Paleopharmaceuticals from Baltic amber might fight drug-resistant infections

For centuries, people in Baltic nations have used ancient amber for medicinal purposes. Now, scientists report compounds that help explain its therapeutic effects and that could lead to new medicines to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2021.

Antibiotic Exposure in Children Under Age 2 Associated with Chronic Conditions

Children under age 2 who take antibiotics are at greater risk for childhood-onset asthma, respiratory allergies, eczema, celiac disease, obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a paper written jointly by Mayo Clinic and Rutgers researchers. While previous studies have looked at the association of antibiotics with single diseases, this is the first to look at the association across many diseases.

High-fat diet with antibiotic use linked to gut inflammation

UC Davis researchers have found that combining a Western-style high-fat diet with antibiotic use significantly increases the risk of developing pre- inflammatory bowel disease. This combination shuts down the mitochondria in cells of the colon lining, leading to gut inflammation. Mesalazine can help restart the mitochondria and treat pre-IBD condition.

Discovery reveals antibiotic-resistant strep throat may be too close for comfort

Infectious disease scientists identified strains of group A streptococcus that are less susceptible to commonly used antibiotics, a sign that the germ causing strep throat and flesh-eating disease may be moving closer to resistance to penicillin and other related antibiotics known as beta-lactams.

Poll reveals risky use of antibiotics by some older adults, and opportunities for providers to improve

Half of older Americans got help from the infection-fighting power of antibiotics in the past two years, a new poll finds, but a sizable minority didn’t follow the instructions on their pill bottle. And one in five say that in the past, they’ve engaged in a risky practice: taking leftover antibiotics without checking with a medical professional.