Bacterial infections

FDA approves anthrax treatment

The US medicines safety watchdog has approved obiltoxaximab (Anthim) for the treatment of inhalational anthrax in combination with other therapies and when other treatments are either unavailable or inappropriate.…

TB in London: in search of a 21st century approach

London has become the capital of Western Europe for tuberculosis, but an intensive focus on the disease and several new strategies are improving diagnosis and treatment.…

Meningitis B vaccine: basing decisions on evidence not emotions

Public opinion should be listened to when it comes to healthcare policies, but must not influence methodological, evidence-based decision making.…

Delve into the complex and interesting world of the immune system

‘Immunity’, by William E Paul. Pp xiii+260 £19.50. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press; 2016. 978 1 421 41801 8…

Fusafungine-containing medicines should be withdrawn, says European Medicines Agency

Nasal and mouth sprays containing fusafungine for treating the common cold, tonsillitis and some upper respiratory tract infections should no longer be marketed in the European Union, according to a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency.…

Scientists may have found diagnostic tool to cut antibiotic prescribing in viral infections

A new way to distinguish between bacterial and viral respiratory infections has been developed by researchers in the hope it could limit the inappropriate use of antibiotics, an important driver in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. …

Updated TB guidelines raise upper age limit for treating latent disease

The upper age limit for treating adults with latent tuberculosis (TB) has been increased from 35 years to 65 years in updated guidelines released by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.…

Ibuprofen could provide alternative to antibiotics for uncomplicated UTIs

Two-thirds of women found ibuprofen to be sufficient treatment for uncomplicated infection.…

Dame Sally Davies and Keith Ridge urge review of gonorrhoea treatment protocols

GPs and internet pharmacies that provide access to online prescribing services should review their gonorrhoea treatment protocols to ensure they comply with national recommendations, say chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies and chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge.…

Resistance to ‘last resort’ antibiotic found in bacteria on British farms

Resistance to the antibiotic colistin has been found in samples of bacteria on three British farms, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed.…