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Awakening: The unveiling of historically unaddressed social inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
The violence and victimization brought by colonization and slavery and justified for over a century by race-based science have resulted in enduring inequities for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) across the United States. This is particularly true if BIPOC individuals have other intersecting devalued identities. We highlight how such longstanding inequities paved the way for the disproportionate burdens of COVID-19 among the BIPOC populations across the country and provide recommendations on how to improve COVID-19 mitigation strategies with the goal of eliminating disparities. (Source: Infectious Diseases Cli...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - January 31, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Michele P. Andrasik, Alika K. Maunakea, Linda Oseso, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Stephaun Wallace, Karina Walters, Michi Yukawa Source Type: research

COVID-19 and Pregnancy
Pregnancy appears to be a risk factor for severe disease with COVID-19. Although SARS-CoV-2 intrauterine transmission appears to be rare, most studies show COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk for pregnancy complications, with higher risk among those with severe disease compared with those mildly affected. Studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 have been found in umbilical cord blood and breast milk following maternal vaccination, which might provide protection to the infant. However, vaccination rates during pregnancy remain low. Studies are neede...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - January 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Sonja A. Rasmussen, Denise J. Jamieson Source Type: research

SARS-CoV-2 Virology
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in 2020 and has led to an unprecedented global pandemic. Understanding the virology behind SARS-CoV-2 infection has provided key insights into our efforts to develop antiviral agents and to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we focus on the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2, its intra-host and inter-host evolution, viral dynamics in respiratory tract, and systemic dissemination. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - January 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Yijia Li, Jonathan Z. Li Source Type: research

COVID-19 Vaccines
This manuscript is a narrative review of the rapidly moving COVID-19 vaccine field with an emphasis on clinical efficacy established in both randomized trials and post-marketing surveillance of clinically available vaccines. We review the major clinical trials that supported authorization for general use of the Janssen (Ad.26.CoV2), Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), and Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccines and the publicly available post-marketing information with the goal of providing a broad, clinically relevant comparison of efficacy and safety. This review is primarily focused on the United States (US) market. (Source: Infectious Di...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - January 30, 2022 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: William O. Hahn, Zanthia Wiley Source Type: research

Pediatric Infections in the Time of COVID-19
We began planning this issue of Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America in February of 2020, at the threshold of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We felt great anticipation and some anxiety at the time, but we could never have known then how COVID-19 would so drastically change all aspects of our society: politics, education, social justice, and medicine. Compared with adults, children have been relatively spared by the most severe manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, but they have still suffered significantly from the direct impact of the virus. (Source: Infectious Disea...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - December 6, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Rebecca G. Same, Jason G. Newland Tags: Preface Source Type: research

Preface Pediatric Infections in the Time of COVID-19
JASON G. NEWLAND, MD, MEd, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - December 6, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jason G. Newland, Rebecca G. Same Source Type: research

Infection Prevention during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
COVID-19 is a nonspecific viral illness caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and led to an ongoing global pandemic. Transmission is primarily human-to-human via contact with respiratory particles containing infectious virus. The risk of transmission to health care personnel is low with proper use of personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves, N95 or surgical mask, and eye protection. Additional measures affecting the risk of transmission include physical distancing, hand hygiene, routine cleaning and disinfection, appropriate air handling and ventilation, and public health interventions such as universal ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - December 1, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Patrick Reich, Alexis Elward Source Type: research

Infection Prevention during the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 is a non-specific viral illness caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and led to an ongoing global pandemic. Transmission is primarily human-to-human via contact with respiratory particles containing infectious virus. The risk of transmission to healthcare personnel is low with proper use of personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves, N95 or surgical mask, and eye protection. Additional measures affecting the risk of transmission include physical distancing, hand hygiene, routine cleaning and disinfection, appropriate air handling and ventilation, and public health interventions such as universal ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - December 1, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Patrick Reich, Alexis Elward Source Type: research

COVID-19 in Children
Though COVID-19 has impacted many children, severe disease is rare and most recover with supportive care. Manifestations are diverse and are often non-respiratory. Adolescents and children with medical comorbidities are at risk for severe respiratory compromise. The most serious manifestation in previously healthy children is a delayed multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) with cardiac compromise in severe cases. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies are available for adolescents at risk of progression and not hospitalized for COVID-19. Therapeutic options for severe respiratory disease with hypoxia include Remdesivir...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - November 14, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Philip Zachariah Source Type: research

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: An Update on Prevention and Control in Acute Care Settings
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of health-care –associated infections. Controversies regarding the effectiveness of various control strategies have contributed to varying approaches to MRSA control. However, new evidence from large-scale studies has emerged, particularly concerning screening and decolonization. Importantly, implementation and outcomes of control measures in practice are not only influenced by scientific evidence, but also economic, administrative, and political factors, as demonstrated by decreasing MRSA rates in a number of countries after concerted and coordinated ...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Andie S. Lee, Benedikt D. Huttner, Gaud Catho, Stephan Harbarth Source Type: research

Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
This article summarizes the significance of VRE and VRE transmission, along with highlighting key changes in infection control practices within the past 5  years. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Seema Joshi, Anita Shallal, Marcus Zervos Source Type: research

Prevention of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transmission in Health Care Settings
This article discusses strategies to prevent transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within health care settings. All health care facilities should have an operational TB infection control plan that emphasizes the use of a hierarchy of controls (administrative, environmental, and personal respiratory protection). Resources available to clinicians who work in the prevention and investigation of nosocomial transmission of M tuberculosis also are discussed. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Neeraja Swaminathan, Sarah R. Perloff, Jerry M. Zuckerman Source Type: research

Prevention of Central-Line Associated Bloodstream Infections
Despite a large volume of research in prevention, central line –associated bloodstream infections and catheter-related bloodstream infections continue to cause significant morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. Strategies in prevention, including decision about catheter placement, insertion bundles, adherence to standard of care guidelines, an d technologic innovations, shown to decrease rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections and central line-associated bloodstream infections are described in this update. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has resulted in increased health care–acquired infe...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Laura M. Selby, Mark E. Rupp, Kelly A. Cawcutt Source Type: research

Ventilator-Associated Events
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shifted the focus of safety surveillance in mechanically ventilated patients from ventilator-associated pneumonia to ventilator-associated events in 2013 to increase the objectivity and reproducibility of surveillance and to encourage quality improvement programs to focus on preventing a broader array of complications. Ventilator-associated events are associated with a doubling of the risk of dying. Prospective studies have found that minimizing sedation, increasing spontaneous awakening and breathing trials, and conservative fluid management can decrease event rates and the d...
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jeremy Weinberger, Noelle Cocoros, Michael Klompas Source Type: research

Surgical Site Infections
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common and most costly health care –associated infections, leading to adverse patient outcomes and death. Wound contamination occurs with each incision, but proven strategies exist to decrease the risk of SSI. In particular, improved adherence to evidence-based preventive measures related to appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis ca n decrease the rate of SSI. Aggressive surgical debridement and effective antimicrobial therapy are needed to optimize the treatment of SSI. (Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America)
Source: Infectious Diseases Clinics of North America - October 29, 2021 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Jessica Seidelman, Deverick J. Anderson Source Type: research