In the War Against Infections.
Zyvox Becomes the Next Combatant
ROCKVILLE, MD-The first antibacterial drug in a new class of synthetic drugs, Zyvox, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a number of uses:
1. To treat infections associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF), including cases with bloodstream infection.
2. To treat nosocomial pneumonia and complicated skin and skin structure infections, including cases due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
3. To treat community-acquired pneumonia and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.
Developed and manufactured by Pharmacia and Upjohn, Zyvox is the first drug in over 40 years to be introduced to the US market for treatment of MRSA infections. Side effects reported in the clinical studies were headache, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The most important laboratory test change was a decrease in platelet counts. Zyvox may interact with other drugs that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, such as over-the-counter cold remedies, and raise a patient's blood pressure.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
