Bug of the Month: I’m Downright Nasty And Clever to Boot

A meta-analysis found alcohol-based antiseptics significantly reduce Staphylococcus aureus-related surgical site infections (SSIs), demonstrating efficacy comparable to mupirocin and iodophor, supporting their expanded use in infection prevention strategies.

Evolving air quality monitoring technologies, like an IAQ Exposure Index, provide real-time data to detect airborne contaminants, enhance infection control, and protect vulnerable healthcare populations from respiratory exposures.

Oral care is vital in reducing hospital-acquired pneumonia risks. Health care workers' education, evidence-based protocols, and accessible supplies enhance patient outcomes and prevent complications in health care settings.

Adopting IDEA—identify, define, explain, apply—streamlines contamination control. Infection control professionals can mitigate risks through prevention, intervention, and training, ensuring safer health care environments and reducing frequent contamination challenges.

Barinthus Bio’s Phase 2b trial shows VTP-300’s potential to achieve functional cures for chronic hepatitis B, with promising HBsAg loss, safety, and durable immune responses.

Antibiotic stewardship in long-term care facilities relies on McGeer and Loeb criteria to guide infection surveillance and appropriate prescribing, ensuring better outcomes for residents and reducing resistance.