Adult Vaccine Schedule for Parents and Grandparents
White House Releases New Global Health Security Strategy
Basilico Studio Stock / iStock A new study based on German data shows that SARS-CoV-2 caused a 21% excess of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) during the winter of 2022-23. The study was published this week in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases and suggests COVID-19 will add a significant burden during cold and flu seasons.
The study was based on answers to an online survey about ARIs during the past 7 months sent to 70,000 registered participants in a digital health study in March 2023. At that point, 3 years after the pandemic began, many people in Germany and elsewhere no longer regularly tested for COVID-19, or testing at home and did not report official results.
A total of 37,708 participants reported 54,813 ARIs, including 9,358 SARS-CoV-2 infections confirmed with either at-home or clinical tests. Twenty-eight percent—10,638 people—reported no infections.
There were 45,455 ARIs without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, the authors said. For 11,699 of those, no SARS-CoV-2 test was available, while the others had a negative test. The proportion of positive tests among all conducted tests was 21%.
Adults 30 to 39 hit hardestThe highest incidence for all ARIs was observed in December 2022, with 26 infections per 100 people. Adults aged 30 to 39 years had the highest cumulative incidence, with 208 infections per 100 people across the 7 months.
"Decision makers need to be aware of this burden to adapt and create new policies with the goal of reducing infection incidences, for example by establishing new strategies on vaccinations." the authors wrote.
Decision makers need to be aware of this burden to adapt and create new policies with the goal of reducing infection incidences
"While the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections is reduced due to the achieved immunity in the population, we will likely face a higher burden of ARI than before the pandemic, even if no new SARS-CoV-2 variants will appear," the authors concluded. "This additional burden of ARI has to be considered particularly with respect to the implications for the work force."
WHO Prequalifies Simplified Version Of Oral Cholera Vaccine
Basilico Studio Stock / iStock A new study based on German data shows that SARS-CoV-2 caused a 21% excess of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) during the winter of 2022-23. The study was published this week in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases and suggests COVID-19 will add a significant burden during cold and flu seasons.
The study was based on answers to an online survey about ARIs during the past 7 months sent to 70,000 registered participants in a digital health study in March 2023. At that point, 3 years after the pandemic began, many people in Germany and elsewhere no longer regularly tested for COVID-19, or testing at home and did not report official results.
A total of 37,708 participants reported 54,813 ARIs, including 9,358 SARS-CoV-2 infections confirmed with either at-home or clinical tests. Twenty-eight percent—10,638 people—reported no infections.
There were 45,455 ARIs without a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, the authors said. For 11,699 of those, no SARS-CoV-2 test was available, while the others had a negative test. The proportion of positive tests among all conducted tests was 21%.
Adults 30 to 39 hit hardestThe highest incidence for all ARIs was observed in December 2022, with 26 infections per 100 people. Adults aged 30 to 39 years had the highest cumulative incidence, with 208 infections per 100 people across the 7 months.
"Decision makers need to be aware of this burden to adapt and create new policies with the goal of reducing infection incidences, for example by establishing new strategies on vaccinations." the authors wrote.
Decision makers need to be aware of this burden to adapt and create new policies with the goal of reducing infection incidences
"While the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections is reduced due to the achieved immunity in the population, we will likely face a higher burden of ARI than before the pandemic, even if no new SARS-CoV-2 variants will appear," the authors concluded. "This additional burden of ARI has to be considered particularly with respect to the implications for the work force."
GSK's Gepotidacin Shows Promise As New Treatment For Gonorrhoea Amid Rising Resistance
These findings, set to be showcased at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Global event in Barcelona on April 30, 2024, mark a significant advancement in combatting the escalating challenge of gonorrhoea, particularly concerning drug-resistant strains.
In the trial, gepotidacin demonstrated a robust microbiological success rate of 92.6%, showcasing its non-inferiority compared to the standard combination treatment regimen of intramuscular ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin. These results underscore gepotidacin's potential as a frontline treatment option, especially in the face of mounting antimicrobial resistance.
Chris Corsico, GSK's senior vice president of development, emphasized the urgency for innovative solutions in addressing the escalating global burden of gonorrhoea.
He said: "These results highlight the potential of gepotidacin as a new oral treatment option given the rising incidence of gonorrhoea worldwide including drug resistant infections. The imperative for innovative treatments has never been clearer."
Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, poses a significant public health concern globally, with an estimated 82 million new cases annually. In the United States alone, reported cases have surged by 118% from 2009 to 2021, with approximately half of these cases exhibiting resistance to at least one antibiotic. This concerning trend underscores the critical need for effective and novel treatment options.
Transforming gonorrhoea treatmentGepotidacin's safety profile in the EAGLE-1 trial remained consistent with previous phase I and II studies, with gastrointestinal adverse events being the most commonly reported. Notably, all adverse events were mild or moderate, underscoring gepotidacin's favorable safety and tolerability.
Gonorrhoea, if left untreated or inadequately managed, can lead to serious complications, including infertility and increased susceptibility to HIV infection. As such, the development of effective treatments is crucial in curbing its spread and mitigating associated health risks.
GSK's pursuit of innovative antimicrobial therapies extends beyond gonorrhoea, with gepotidacin also being explored for its potential in treating uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI). Positive phase 3 data from the Eagle-2 and Eagle-3 trials, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in April 2023, further underscore gepotidacin's versatility and promise in addressing critical unmet medical needs.
Gepotidacin's development has received funding support from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, reflecting its strategic importance in combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
The Eagle phase 3 programme, comprising three trials, represents a significant milestone in advancing gepotidacin's clinical development. With these promising results, gepotidacin stands poised to emerge as a transformative therapy in the fight against gonorrhoea and other infectious diseases, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and enhanced global public health.
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