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IEHA, Cintas release list of best practices for reducing HAIs within healthcare facility

In lieu of recent changes in guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control calling for increased cleaning performance and integration of new auditing controls to regulate cleaning efficacy, Cintas Corporation and the International Executive Housekeepers Association today released a list of best practices for reducing healthcare acquired infections and enhancing levels of cleanliness within a healthcare facility.

27 Jan 2011

'Phenotype switching' helps bacteria lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how the bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how 'phenotype switching' enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

27 Jan 2011

AHF surpasses 150,000 patient milestone

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is proud to announce a major milestone in its mission to provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of a person's ability to pay. The organization has recently surpassed the 150,000 patient mark worldwide.

27 Jan 2011

Mass cholera vaccination early in outbreak could stem spread of disease, studies show

"The cholera bacterium has undergone important mutations in recent years, causing longer outbreaks of the disease with increased fatalities, researchers reported on Wednesday," Reuters reports. "In a package of papers published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, they said mass vaccinations should be considered as a solution even after outbreaks have begun," the news service writes (Lyn, 1/26).

27 Jan 2011

Pfenex receives $3.1 million SAIC sub-contract to develop malaria antigen

Pfenex today announced that Science Applications International Corporation has awarded Pfenex a sub-contract valued at $3.1 million to help develop a robust, scalable, cGMP ready production process for large scale production of full length Circumsporozoite protein from Plasmodium falciparum.

27 Jan 2011

Lancet series examines health issues facing populations in Southeast Asia

"Southeast Asia's 600 million people are facing a raft of new health challenges as the disaster-prone region undergoes some of the world's fastest social change," according to a series of papers and commentary pieces, published Tuesday in the Lancet, Agence France-Presse reports (O'Brien, 1/25).

27 Jan 2011

MRSA screening in ICU patients can save costs for hospitals

Screening patients in the intensive care unit for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus roduces cost savings for the whole hospital, according to a study that used a statistical simulation model published in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

27 Jan 2011

Inviragen completes memorandum of understanding with Duke-NUS

Inviragen, and the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School announced today that they have completed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership between the two organizations.

27 Jan 2011

Researchers find food-borne bacteria can cause difficult-to-treat heart infections

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found that particular strains of a food-borne bacteria are able to invade the heart, leading to serious and difficult-to-treat heart infections.

27 Jan 2011

Anadys begins dosing in ANA598 Phase IIb study for hepatitis C

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, announced today that dosing has begun in the Phase IIb study of ANA598 in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in hepatitis C patients.

26 Jan 2011

Researchers develop anti-HIV gene therapy for rendering T-cells resistant to infection

An innovative genetic strategy for rendering T-cells resistant to HIV infection without affecting their normal growth and activity is described in a paper published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online.

26 Jan 2011

Research shows how pathogenic bacteria hide inside host cells

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how ‘phenotype switching’ enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

26 Jan 2011

Measles warnings for Australia and New Zealand

In a flight from Brisbane that arrived in Auckland two weeks ago, a child was confirmed to have measles and has been taken to hospital. Five other cases of the virus have been confirmed. At present a further 100 cases are being investigated by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

26 Jan 2011

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status

French researchers determined that infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impaired results of transplant surgery for liver cancer, with more HIV infected patients dropping off the transplantation wait list. The team found that overall survival and recurrence-free survival was not impacted following liver transplantation in patients with controlled HIV disease.

25 Jan 2011

Evaluating patients for genetic variations impacts adherence to antiviral therapy

In two recent studies, researchers have identified two functional variants in the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) gene that protect patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) against anemia brought on by antiviral treatment. The ability to identify those patients protected against treatment-induced anemia will ensure completion of antiviral therapy and successful elimination of the virus.

25 Jan 2011

Triad alcohol prep pads with ARIXTRA Starter Kits not to be used

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has become aware of a United States market recall of all lots of alcohol prep pads, swabs and swabsticks manufactured by the Triad Group and marketed under various brand names. The Triad Group recall has been initiated due to concerns about potential microbial contamination of the alcohol products with Bacillus cereus that could potentially lead to life-threatening infections.

25 Jan 2011

APIC announces initiative to eliminate central line-associated bloodstream infections

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology today announced a major initiative to eliminate one of the most preventable and deadly infections that patients can acquire in healthcare facilities: central line-associated bloodstream infections, which kill 30,000 people in the U.S. every year.

25 Jan 2011

ASM to host 2011 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) will host its 2011 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting February 6-9, 2011 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.

25 Jan 2011

Scientist receives grant for research on parasitic diseases through African biodiversity medicines

McGill University and McGill University scientist Dr. Timothy Geary received a $1-million grant today for landmark research into addressing parasitic diseases through medicines derived from African biodiversity.

25 Jan 2011

NPMA offers tips to recognize and avoid rodent infestations this winter

With the flu and common colds going around, it's hard enough already to stay healthy during the winter, but a rodent infestation could mean a host of other potential health concerns. Rodents can contaminate food sources with feces that can spread Salmonella and Hantavirus. With rodents invading an estimated 21 million homes every winter, the threat to consumers is very real.

25 Jan 2011

Disease/Infection News

IEHA, Cintas release list of best practices for reducing HAIs within healthcare facility

'Phenotype switching' helps bacteria lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections

AHF surpasses 150,000 patient milestone

Mass cholera vaccination early in outbreak could stem spread of disease, studies show

Pfenex receives $3.1 million SAIC sub-contract to develop malaria antigen

Lancet series examines health issues facing populations in Southeast Asia

MRSA screening in ICU patients can save costs for hospitals

Inviragen completes memorandum of understanding with Duke-NUS

Researchers find food-borne bacteria can cause difficult-to-treat heart infections

Anadys begins dosing in ANA598 Phase IIb study for hepatitis C

Researchers develop anti-HIV gene therapy for rendering T-cells resistant to infection

Research shows how pathogenic bacteria hide inside host cells

Measles warnings for Australia and New Zealand

Survival following transplant surgery for liver cancer not impacted by HIV-positive status

Evaluating patients for genetic variations impacts adherence to antiviral therapy

Triad alcohol prep pads with ARIXTRA Starter Kits not to be used

APIC announces initiative to eliminate central line-associated bloodstream infections

ASM to host 2011 Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting

Scientist receives grant for research on parasitic diseases through African biodiversity medicines

NPMA offers tips to recognize and avoid rodent infestations this winter

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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