ETIDIOH - NEW

  Invasive meningococcal disease: advice for the NHS in England You may be aware of an evolving situation involving multiple cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) reported among young people linked to the University of Kent and the Canterbury area .  More information about IMD , signs and symptoms to look out for, and approaches to clinical and public health management are provided in the accompanying Briefing Note .  The purpose of this CAS Alert is to outline priority steps that primary care and hospital clinicians should consider taking to manage suspected cases, potential contacts of cases, and to reduce the risk of infection spreading.  Note that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will update advice as further information emerges. Epidemiology -- Between 13 and 17 March 2026, UKHSA identified 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the South East .  -- Six cases have been confirmed as Neisseria meningitidis group B .  -- Most cas...

  Abstract Azithromycin is a widely used antibiotic and was frequently used to treat hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic . The impact of empiric azithromycin use on the respiratory microbiome in patients with viral respiratory infections is unclear. Here we used longitudinal metatranscriptomics on nasal swabs from a prospective multicentre cohort of 1,164 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 . We compared the upper respiratory microbiome, resistome and systemic immune response in patients treated with azithromycin (n = 366) with those who received no antibiotics (n = 474) or other antibiotics (n = 324). We found that azithromycin altered microbiome composition and increased the expression and relative proportion of macrolide/lincosamide/streptogramin (MLS) resistance genes . These changes occurred after 1 day of exposure and persisted for over a week. MLS resistance gene expression was associated with commensals and potential pathogens , while there were no differences...

  From:  UK Health Security Agency Published:  16 March 2026 Last updated:  16 March 2026  Update 16 March The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is continuing to investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Kent with 13 cases notified since 13 March. Sadly, this includes 2 people who are known to have died . Investigations have confirmed some of the cases visited Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 to 7 March prior to becoming unwell. UKHSA’s health protection team is working closely with the nightclub and partners including the University of Kent to limit the spread. UKHSA is now advising anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5 March, 6 March or 7 March to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure.  This can be collected from the following sites: -- Senate Building at University of Kent , CT2 7NZ – open until 8pm on Monday 16 March (queue closes 7.15pm) and from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday 17 March. -- Gate Clinic, Ke...

  Abstract We investigated macrolide resistance and P1 genotypes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae during the 2024–2025 outbreak in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada . Macrolide resistance remained stable at ≈10%–20%, but significant shifts in P1 genotype distribution and resistance rates in P1 types occurred, indicating notable changes in M. pneumoniae molecular epidemiology in Ontario since 2011–2012. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/12/25-0872_article ____

  Summary Background Following a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections resurged in several countries . We aimed to characterise the clinical presentation of paediatric patients admitted to hospital for M pneumoniae during 2023 and 2024 in France. Methods We conducted a nationwide, multicentre, retrospective, and prospective observational study across 37 French paediatric hospitals (September, 2023–September, 2024). Children younger than 18 years who were hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed M pneumoniae infection (PCR or serology) were included. Demographics (excluding race), clinical features, laboratory and radiological findings, management, and outcomes data were described and analysed. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06260371) and is complete. Findings We included 969 children and adolescents with M pneumoniae in...

  Abstract Currently, no immunomodulatory agents have been conclusively shown to benefit severe influenza . The World Health Organization conditionally advises against the use of systemic corticosteroids, macrolides, plasma therapy, mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors , and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for such patients. High-dose systemic corticosteroids may increase mortality and morbidity in severe influenza ; the potential of low-dose corticosteroids merits further study given survival benefits in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ). Passive immunotherapy using convalescent plasma or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) from healthy donors has not proven effective , suggesting that future research should focus on hyperimmune plasma or IVIG from recent infections . An open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that a triple combination of oseltamivir, clarithromycin, and naproxen improved outcomes in severe influenza. One RCT has indica...

Abstract Cefotaxime-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (CRHI) are a global concern, but little is known about their molecular epidemiology . The goal of this study was to perform genomic profiling of 191 CRHI from Norway (n = 183) or Sweden (n = 8) (2006–2018) and assess clonal spread using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST)-based Life Identification Number (LIN) codes based on whole genome sequencing (Ion Torrent). Cefotaxime resistance was confirmed with broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), interpreted with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. 35.7% of isolates with cefotaxime gradient MIC of 0.25 mg/L were falsely resistant. All but two isolates (blood) were non-invasive, and all but two (serotype f) were non-typeable. Characterization included calling of resistance determinants, ftsI typing (penicillin-binding protein 3, PBP3), and classification of PBP3-mediated beta-lactam resistance (rPBP3), with a...

Abstract Background A surge of cases of Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection was observed in reception centers for migrants in Europe beginning in the summer of 2022. Most of the cases were cutaneous , although some respiratory cases as well as one death were reported. A pan-European consortium was created to assess the clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic features of this outbreak. Methods We assessed cases of toxigenic C. diphtheriae infection that were reported in 10 European countries from January through November 2022. Data regarding countries of origin and transit routes were obtained from interviews with the patients. Whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial-susceptibility testing were performed on bacterial isolates that were obtained from the patients. The phylogenetic relationships of the isolates and their antimicrobial-resistance genes were evaluated. Results A total of 363 toxigenic C. diphtheriae isolates were identified among 362 patients during the study period....

ABSTRACT Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who require hospitalization are at high risk of invasive pulmonary mucormycosis . Amphotericin B (AmB), which is the first-line therapy for invasive pulmonary mucormycosis, has been shown to promote or inhibit replication of a spectrum of viruses. In this study, we first predicted that AmB and nystatin had strong interactions with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) proteins using in silico screening, indicative of drugs with potential therapeutic activity against this virus. Subsequently, we investigated the impact of AmB, nystatin, natamycin, fluconazole, and caspofungin on SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in vitro. Results showed that AmB and nystatin actually increased SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero E6, Calu-3, and Huh7 cells . At optimal concentrations, AmB and nystatin increase SARS-CoV-2 replication by up to 100- and 10-fold in Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, respectively. The other antifungals t...

Significance In 2021, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria were responsible for 1.14 million deaths and associated with 4.71 million deaths globally. Patients who experience sepsis often face a higher risk of reinfections and hospital readmissions . To combat this crisis, bacteriophages —viruses that infect and kill bacteria—are regaining interest as a potential solution. Here, we show that mice infected with extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli and treated with phage HP3 not only recover from the initial infection but also gain protection against a secondary challenge with the same bacterial strain. The protective effect is dependent on the bacteriolytic action of the phage. These findings shift phages from being solely therapeutic antimicrobials to dual-action immunotherapeutics capable of both clearing and preventing bacterial infections. Abstract Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that target and infect bacteria. Due to a worldwide rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pha...

Summary Background The 2017 WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) has been instrumental in guiding global policy, research and development, and investments to address the most urgent threats from antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and it is a key public health tool for the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Since its release, at least 13 new antibiotics targeting bacterial priority pathogens have been approved. The 2024 WHO BPPL aims to refine and build on the previous list by incorporating new data and evidence, addressing previous limitations, and improving pathogen prioritisation to better guide global efforts in combating AMR. Methods The 2024 WHO BPPL followed a similar approach to the first prioritisation exercise, using a multicriteria decision analysis framework. 24 antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens were scored based on eight criteria, including mortality, non-fatal burden, incidence, 10-year resistance trends, preventability, transmissibility,...