Infection Control News and Research

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Immune response variations across the COVID-19 spectrum

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in June 2020 describes differences in the adaptive and innate immune response in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. This may mean that permanent immune responses occur only in patients who recover from severe COVID-19.

25 Jun 2020

Common cancer treatments do not worsen COVID-19 infection, study finds

The characterization of COVID-19 in patients with cancer remains limited in published studies and nationwide surveillance analyses.

24 Jun 2020

New findings provide a glimpse of daunting experiences faced by hospitals in fight against COVID-19

Healthcare epidemiologists report using unprecedented methods in response to the unique circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a new study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

24 Jun 2020

COVID-READY supports hotels around the world during and after the pandemic

With hotels reopening after the corona lockdown, there is a lot to consider for them to protect their guests and employees as well as possible.

23 Jun 2020

Colombian corona hounds: SAR-CoV-2 detection by dogs

A new Colombian study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in June 2020 describes the use of trained dogs to identify severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected humans by scent alone. This would allow uninfected people to work together safely, rescuing the economy without driving up medical costs.

23 Jun 2020

Homeless patients with respiratory infections more likely to be treated with ventilators than non-homeless

Researchers from UCLA, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Tokyo found that during a recent six-year period, homeless people in New York state were more likely to hospitalized and treated with mechanical ventilators for respiratory infections than people who are not homeless.

22 Jun 2020

COVID-19 collaborative program reduces mortality in long-term care facilities

A collaborative program developed at UVA Health to work with local long-term care facilities control COVID-19 is saving lives and offers a model for communities across the country, a new scientific paper reports.

18 Jun 2020

Researchers report the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in pregnant women

Universal testing of pregnant women admitted to labor and delivery units is part of a multipronged approach to reducing transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 in hospitals and clinics.

15 Jun 2020

Nasal swab tests miss low viral SARS-CoV-2

A recent study by researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, currently available on the preprint server medRxiv, demonstrates how nasal swab samples reliably detect patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that present with high viral loads, but may miss many patients with lower viral loads – questioning their role as a sole specimen for diagnostic purposes.

15 Jun 2020

Pharmacy experts warn about sub-standard hand sanitizers

An international team of pharmacy experts has researched the effectiveness of hand sanitizers in the fight against CoViD-19 and warned the public to beware of sub-standard products.

12 Jun 2020

ASTRO's new guideline provides recommendations for radiation therapy to treat cervical cancer

A new clinical guideline from the American Society for Radiation Oncology provides recommendations for radiation therapy to treat patients with nonmetastatic cervical cancer.

10 Jun 2020

KU leads new project to monitor, evaluate COVID-19 response activities in 47 African countries

Researchers from the University of Kansas are monitoring and evaluating COVID-19 response activities in 47 African countries.

9 Jun 2020

DNA sequencing and analysis of drug-resistant bacteria set up in the Philippines

Antibiotic resistance surveillance in the Philippines has moved into the genomic era, enabling better tracking of dangerous bacteria. Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (CGPS housed at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and The Big Data Institute, University of Oxford), and the Philippine Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, set up local DNA sequencing and analysis of drug resistant bacteria in the Philippines.

5 Jun 2020

An approach for caring patients in COVID-19 units

Toronto and Spanish physicians describe in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) an approach to create dedicated COVID-19 patient units, infection control protocols and care teams to help other hospitals safely care for patients.

4 Jun 2020

Open (your wallet) wide: Dentists charge extra for infection control

After nearly two months at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Erica Schoenradt was making plans in May to see her dentist for a checkup.

3 Jun 2020

Study reports a low prevalence of COVID-19 in pregnant women

New data from two studies show the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among pregnant women is low, but they still need to take extra precautions.

29 May 2020

Digital platform can help reduce healthcare-related infections in surgical environments

One in ten people in hospital care develops a healthcare-related infection. Together with Getinge, Semcon is developing a new digital platform to make it easier to identify where the risk of infections during surgery is greatest.

28 May 2020

Revolutionary air disinfection system protects dentists against COVID-19

Eschmann Technologies has launched a revolutionary air disinfection system developed by Novaerus to help protect dentists against the spread of airborne viruses such as COVID-19.

22 May 2020

ACR warns about the economic impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology practices

In virtual meetings with lawmakers and on Twitter tomorrow, physician and health professional leaders from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) are sounding the alarm about the economic impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology practices and the urgent need for more targeted relief that will help specialty practices remain solvent and continue to serve patients.