APUA Highlights
APUA Highlights was circulated three times per year include but is not being produced at the time being.
10/29/2018: APUA Highlights - Fall 2018
APUA President Stuart B. Levy announces retirement from Tufts
APUA signs onto REVAMP Act of 2018
Gordon William Grundy, MD (1944-2018)
New U.S. bill introduced to increase oversight of antibiotic use in animals
Canada urges action, federal leadership, for AMR problem
Tripartite memorandum steps up ‘One Health’ agenda
New guidance released for building health worker knowledge and hospital stewardship programs
EU coalition (EU-JAMRA) seeks national action plans for member states
New guidelines issued for C. difficile management
FDA to implement five-year blueprint for antimicrobial stewardship in farm animals
Innovet-AMR: a new partnership seeks alternatives in livestock, aquaculture
Ghana launches antimicrobial resistance policy
Novartis abandons antimicrobial development
Moving beyond antibiotics: the prospects for bacteriophage therapy
Roundworms help identify antibacterial properties of retinoids
Teixobactin development takes ‘quantum leap’
Synthetic polymers as antibiotics
Soil-dwelling nematodes yield novel antimicrobial
Turning MRSA on itself
Using computer algorithms to develop antibiotics
Antibiotic supply chain “fragile” – deepens resistance crisis
Lord O’Neill castigates pharma industry and European farmers for inaction
Repeated low-level antibiotic exposure yields high level resistance
More challenging superbugs on the horizon: pan-resistant infections on the rise
Salmonella typhi approaching pan-resistance
Triple threat posed by Klebsiella
First “super gonorrhea” appears in England
Plasmid transfer found among unrelated hospital bacteria
CPE control — a losing battle?
Mechanics of gene transfer visualized for the first time
Drug users more susceptible to MRSA infection
Microplastics promote gene transfer in aquatic environments
Triclosan exposure yields antibiotic-resistant mutants
Publications of Interest
Coming Events
02/27/2018: APUA Highlights - Winter 2018
APUA testifies before Canadian House of Commons
APUA supports restored congressional funding for AMR
APUA - Nepal Newsletter issued
Uruguay reactivates chapter; new publication issued
National "AMR action plans" now prevalent
WHO guidelines call for end to routine antibiotics in farm animals
EU defines indicators for assessing antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
WHO releases guidelines for preventing carbapenem-resistanct infections
International Call to Action aims to galvanize momentum; fill gaps
PAVE award aims to spur development of new antimicrobials
Hong Kong adopts action plan for addressing AMR
New Guidelines issued for infection prevention in young athletes
The antibiotic pipeline: what lies ahead?
Closthioamide - a new class of antibiotic for gonorrhea?
Nitric oxide emerges as new superbug therapy
Mushrooms viewed as untapped source of new antimicrobials
Bacteriocins find practical applications in targeting resistant pathogenns
Pre-op antibiotics cleared for low risk surgeries
Benefits of stewardship interventions diminish over time, but "peer-comparison" remains durable
Ampicillin resistance may have emerged from early penicillin use in livestock
EU survey finds increasing livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) among humans
Antibiotic side effects: new worries over IBD and infant gut microbiomes
Skin microbiome negatively impacted by antimicrobials
UK calculates drop in lifeapan due to AMR
Inappropriate dental use of antibiotics may be increasing C. difficile infection
FDA issues new guidelines to ensure safer, less contaminated mattresses
Wireless "electric bandage" disrupts stubborn biofilms
Study shows four simple tests can help identify pneumonia and reduce antibiotic use
Events and publications of interest
APUA endorses S-FAR letter to new CDC Director Fitzgerald
APUA’s 2014 Leadership Award winner turns spotlight on the search for natural antimicrobials
EU adopts a One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
G20 summit commits to combatting antimicrobial resistance
CRE light up with new fluorescence based assay
Novel CRISPR innovation increases discrimination of dangerous pathogens
Re-engineering longevity into vancomycin
New antibiotics (iclaprim, omadacycline) pass phase III clinical studies
Bacteriophage therapy saves U.S. patient with multidrug-resistant bacteria
Immune system-based peroxidases explored as new antimicrobials
Bioluminescent bacteria recruited to find antimicrobials in New Zealand fungus
Synthetic mucus shows promise against antimicrobial resistant organisms
Experts rethink failed hygiene strategy
Hospital Microbiome Project seeks clues to better hygiene interventions
Overall resistance in Staph aureus declines in U.S. hospitals; serious infections remain constant
“Resistomap” showcases resistance data from global human gut microbiomes
Crowd funding study approach used to solicit ESBL study data
INCREMENT project yields findings on BSI treatment
Stewardship expert shares tips on implementing new required plans
Publications and Webinars of Note
04/12/2017: APUA Highlights - Spring 2017
Faces of Antimicrobial Resistance (FOAR) releases final report
Letter to President Trump urges farsightedness
Letter to WHO calls for continued global action
Center for Global Development (CGD) proposes global treaty to reduce antibiotic use in livestock
Hospitals penalized for preventable injuries
The EU reports escalating resistance trends
WHO releases first list of global superbugs
Multidrug resistance rising rapidly among youth
Scientists reveal two-step process to antibiotic resistance
PPMO molecule may revitalize older, “useless” antibiotics
New bacterial amyloid could foster novel antibiotics
Common Floridian weed can disrupt bacterial signaling
Soil bacteria compound may help TB therapy
Three-drug combo shows promise against metallo-beta-lactamases
“C-dots” poised to treat MRSA
On-line risk assessment tool could reduce antibiotic use in newborns
Smartphone device could expand susceptibility testing
Horizon Prize awards £1million for game-changing diagnostic
The Longitude Prize releases Discovery Awards
Publications and Webinars of Note
12/1/2016: APUA November Highlights
UN assembly outlines goals for reigning in resistance
CDC fuels antibiotic resistance research with $14 million; 34 projects funded
U.S. Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) releases 4-year action plan
European animal-antibiotic sales data show downward trend
European farmers battle livestock-associated MRSA
Norwegian “search and destroy” strategy identifies farm worker import of MRSA
New variant of LA-MRSA shared by animals and humans
PEW calls for changes to FDA Guidance for judicious use of antibiotics in animals
Study finds higher levels of antimicrobial resistance in resource-poor nations
Antibiotic prescription choices fall seriously short of recommendations
CDC releases new guidance for outpatient antimicrobial stewardship
New tool may aid antimicrobial stewardship in pediatric RTIs.
Rapid diagnostics reduce MRSA transmission in emergency hospital
Vietnam study shows C-reactive protein testing reduces antibiotic use
C. difficile infection found to correlate with previous patient on antibiotics
Hospital laundry and sinks found to harbor superbugs
Antibacterial peptides found in marsupial milk
Human gut bacteria secrete antimicrobial
Antibacterial compounds found in maggots
Cranberry compounds may help reduce dependence on antibiotics
Novel agar platform demonstrates microbial evolution
APUA supports bill to track superbug infections in California
APUA joins efforts to adopt "Cures/Innovations" package
Events Calendar
Amazon Smile!
7/26/2016: APUA Summer Highlights
APUA attends ASM Microbe 2016 annual meeting in Boston
APUA receives Allergan award
APUA attends Boston BAARN meeting
APUA joins FOAR program
APUA - Australia
Resistance to “last resort” antibiotic is now widespread
Travelers acquire antibiotic resistance genes in two days
Medicare /Medicaid proposes antimicrobial stewardship rule for U.S. hospitals
New studies report antibiotic over-prescription rates in U.S; falling prescriptions iEngland and the EU
New treatment for multi-drug resistant TB is shorter and cuts costs
Concerns arise over 2016 Olympic water quality
Poverty breeds antimicrobial resistance
Fast food companies urged to curb antibiotic abuse
New diagnostic differentiates staph strains
Novel innovations offer promise in infection control
Harvard chemists use novel platform to create new antibiotics
Longitude Prize launches new animated invitation
Events of Interest
Smile! Your Amazon.com purchases can mean donations to APUA
3/3/2016: APUA March Highlights
APUA president Levy quoted in major media
APUA supports new California legislation on antimicrobial stewardship
APUA endorses PATH Act
APUA lends support to UK Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics
APUA - Nepal issues new chapter Newsletter
New study supports APUA stance on routine antibiotics for malnutrition
CDC issues new guidelines for upper respiratory tract infections
Pharmaceutical biotech and diagnostics industries release declaration
EU study reveals mismatch in public funding for antibiotic research
Latest AMR report focuses on vaccines and alternatives
WHO invites feedback on its antimicrobial resistance prevention and containment activities
New diagnostic differentiates between viral and bacterial infections
New weapons offer optimism in the battle against resistant bacteria
MRSA worsened by first-line antibiotics?
Antiseptic baths do not cause high levels of resistance
E-cigarettes boost superbugs
Europe: resistance runs high in foodborne infections
Publications and events of interest
11/12/2015: APUA Fall Highlights
APUA President Levy delivers keynote lecture at ASM’s northeast branch
APUA lends support to proposed antibiotic stewardship provisions and congressional acts
Vice President O’Brien serves on Q & A team for award-winning documentary film
MRSA infections challenge contact sports; spur innovations in therapy and antimicrobial stewardship
Serious infections continue to plague professional sports
Novel treatment regiment found
Bacteriophages exploited for prevention and treatment
Scotland ramps up MRSA control efforts
Chain restaurants receive grades on antibiotic use
Study finds shifts in antibiotic prescribing patterns
Personality profiling helps customize antimicrobial stewardship messages
Dual-agent prophylaxis helps cut surgical site infections
Hole-punching polypeptides deliver broad-spectrum activity
Global “firsts” elevate antibiotic resistance problem
California becomes first state to ban routine antibiotics in food animals
Keep Antibiotics Working releases “Antibiotics Report Card”
CDDEP report shows global resistance “hot spots”
Publications and Events of Interest
6/30/2015: APUA June Highlights
President Levy attends White House summit on antibiotic stewardship
APUA announces 2015 Honor Roll Companies
APUA and BacterioScan collaborate on diagnostics webinar
APUA President Levy featured at Paris Forum
APUA-Kenya
APUA-Brazil
Consumer Reports commits to supporting antibiotic resistance initiatives
CDC shows support for antibiotic stewardship programs
US FDA urged to establish more stringent antibiotic policies for livestock
Poor communication breeds superbugs
Azithromycin proves to be more valuable than previously thought
Interview: Biopharma expert Steve Projan poses more optimistic view on future of anti-infectives
Director Michael Graziano turns his attention to Clostridium difficile and fecal transplants in new film
Drug development, stewardship programs encouraged in the US to tackle antibiotic crisis
New NARMS report reveals resistance trends in enteric bacteria
ILRI publishes report on AMR in the developing world
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
3/11/2015: APUA February/March Highlights
Results of CRP POC Summit accepted for publication
APUA in support of President Obama’s FY 2016 budget increase to combat antibiotic resistance
APUA supports proposed PATH Act
APUA-Italy
APUA-Croatia
APUA-S.Korea
APUA-Ecuador
APUA-Bulgaria
President Obama's State of the Union address heralds good news for antimicrobial resistance fight
Researchers search for antibiotics in the Artic Circle
New antibiotic discovered in the dirt
Superbugs estimated to cost millions of deaths per year
Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership launchesmaiden issue of GARPNet News
CDC reports decrease in healthcare-associated infections
New SHEA Guidance for proper attire in healthcare settings
Scientists find evidence of antibiotic resistance in the Thames River
Powerful antibiotic found in garlic
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
10/30/2014: APUA October Highlights
APUA announces Leadership Awards recipients
APUA hosts Boston screening of the documentary film Resistance
APUA attends annual ICAAC Conference
APUA-Cuba
President Obama releases antimicrobial resistance report
Major US chicken producer removes antibiotics from production
Frontline airs The Trouble with Antibiotics
Vancomycin re-evaluated for usefulness against serious Staph aureus infections
Massachusetts medical community takes action
Real-time system tracks dangerous bacteria
High antibiotic prescription rates in kids persist despite warnings
Cultivating antibiotics from human microbes
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
7/2/14: APUA June/July Highlights
APUA calls for Leadership Awards
APUA President Levy delivers opening address at GRIP Summit
APUA participates in CDC Twitter Talk
APUA hosts Boston summit on point-of-care biomarkers
President Levy appears on NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook
APUA-Italy
APUA-Bulgaria
APUA-Argentina
APUA-Georgia
Longitude prize focuses on antibiotics
WAAAR launches declaration on antibiotic resistance
Study finds first carbapenemen-resistant bacteria in food
Funding awarded for study of antibiotic resistance in household pets
Cuba is honored to chair World Health Assembly
Fecal transplants restore healthy bacteria and gut functions
Single dose of antibiotic found effective in quelling MRSA
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
3/5/14: APUA February/March Highlights
APUA names Honor Roll companies that responsibly limit antibiotic use in food products
Dr. Levy participates in Harvard forum on addressing antibiotic resistance
APUA presents third antibiotic stewardship webinar, hosted by Robert Gaynes, M.D.
APUA welcomes new corporate sponsor, BacterioScan
Sound Medicine interviews Dr. Stuart Levy on recent FDA Veterinary Feed Directive
Pew Teleconference: Addressing the FDA Veterinary Feed Directive
APUA-Lebanon sponsors antibiotic resistance workshop
European collaboration targets novel antibiotics
Chick-fil-A, Delta Airlines declare they will use antibiotic-free meat
Partnership formed to combat antibiotic resistance as bioterrorism threat
Decline in antibiotic prescriptions for children may have plateaued
President Obama notes drug resistance research in State of the Union Address
Residents near factory farms have elevated risk of MRSA carriage
New dress code recommended to prevent HAI
Narrow-spectrum antibiotics provide effective empiric therapy in pediatric pneumonia
New diagnostic test differentiates C. diff strains
March 20: British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy's Spring Meeting 2014, London, UK
May 5: WHO call to action: Celebration of hand hygiene and AMR activity
May 10-13: European Congress on Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2014), Barcelona, Spain
May 17-20: American Society for Microbiology's Annual Meeting (ASM 2014), Boston, MA, USA
Coming Soon: Resistance the film
10/30/13: APUA October Highlights
APUA attends IDSA’s annual Infectious Diseases (ID) Week
Winners of the 2013 APUA Leadership and Chapter Awards celebrated at ID Week
APUA co-signs letter honoring Representative Louise Slaughter (D-New York)
Microbe publishes “Minitopic” on antibiotics and malnutrition
APUA to participate in Cuban conference on antimicrobial resistance
APUANews reaches 1,000 tweets!
APUA-Cuba letter appears in MEDISAN
APUA-Nepal presents research at major antimicrobial resistance workshops
APUA-Italy organizes educational event on carbapenemases and resistance gene spread
CDC Report: Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013
Antibiotic resistance causes major treatment problems in U.S. Salmonella outbreak
New delivery vehicle for fecal transplants
Dermatologists contribute to overuse of antibiotics
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to reintroduce the STAAR Act to Congress
Reprogrammed E. coli can kill pathogens
Nov. 2-6: American Public Health Association's (APHA) Annual Meeting and Exposition, Boston, MA.
Nov. 12-18: The Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) and NPS MedicineWise host Antibiotic Awareness Week, Online.
Nov. 18-24: CDC hosts Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, Online.
Nov. 19-22: Epidemics4 - International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
7/11/13: APUA July Highlights
In a letter published in NEJM, APUA cautions against use of antibiotics to treat malnutrition
APUA study cited in The Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Act of 2013
APUA attends Massachusetts Coalition Workshop on UTI in the elderly
PBS Frontline interviews APUA President Levy on antibiotic use in food animals
APUA receives unrestricted grant from Alere to produce educational materials
APUA supports antibiotic resistance-related initiatives
STAAR Act
Antimicrobial Data Collection Act
Groups challenge FDA defense of NARMS 2011 Retail Meat Report
UK raises alarm on rise of deadly superbugs
FDA backs off from fecal transplant regulation
Drug-resistant gonorrhea on the rise in Great Britain
Stewardship intervention helps limit antibiotic misuse in children
Are antibiotics in our meat breeding “superbugs”?
New guidelines advise delaying antibiotics for children with sinusitis
ANTIRESDEV research project publishes findings on antibiotic resistance
APUA Chapter NewsAPUA-Mexico holds workshop on the rational use of antibiotics at AMIMC
APUA-Lebanon conducts research on Acinetobacter baumannii
2/28/13: APUA February Highlights
APUA President Dr. Stuart B. Levy lectures on agricultural antibiotics and human health
APUA attends WHO meeting on strategies for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance
APUA article on C. difficile receives wide distribution in Massachusetts
APUA signs joint letter supporting new provisions to ADUFA
APUA coordinating a letter to express concern about antibiotic use as treatment for malnutrition
APUA-Cuba conducts courses on tropical diseases and risks of imprudent antibiotic use
APUA-Nepal presents at Kathmandu International Conference
APUA-India conducts course on promoting rational drug use
LPAD aimed at speeding approval of new antibacterials
Cefixime-resistant gonorrhea emerges in North America
Chennai Declaration tackles antimicrobial resistance in India
“Hydrogel” poised to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria on contact
Fecal Transplants more effective for recurrent C. diff infection than vancomycin
Novel strategy weakens bacteria against antibiotics
Evolutionary consequences of antibiotic use exposed
11/7/12: APUA November Highlights
New APUA Webinar on antimicrobial stewardship to be released Nov. 14 for CDC's Get Smart about Antibiotics Week
CDC's Get Smart about Antibiotics Week November 12-18
APUA joins partner health care organizations in advocating stewardship
APUA President Dr. Stuart B. Levy in the AARP Bulletin article "Battling Bacteria 'Superbugs'"
APUA advocates for consumer involvement in US FDA meetings on antibiotic use in livestock
APUA attends The Joint Commission's National Summit on Overuse of Medical Treatments
US FDA creates Antibacterial Drug Development Task Force; White House Advisory Board issues Report
ReAct evaluates programs to develop new antibiotics
New research findings: C. difficile and ESBLs undergo shift in epidemiology
Selected notes from IDWeek 2012: UV disinfection, and Stewardship
New "European Manual of Clinical Microbiology" available
8/14/12: APUA August Highlights
New APUA report: Expert advice for antibiotic stewardship programs
APUA's Leadership Statement advocates strengthening FDA Draft Guidance #213 on antibiotic use in livestock
Call for nominations: 2012 APUA Leadership Award for Young Professionals
APUA VP Dr. Thomas F. O'Brien leads discussion at Gordon Research Conference
APUA President Dr. Stuart Levy contributes to WHO book “The Evolving Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance – Options for Action.”
US law incentivizing development of novel antibiotics passed on July 9, 2012
Nature article: "Sustainable farming: Get Pigs off antibiotics"
"A Matter of Life and Death: The Economics of Antibiotic Resistance"
US FDA position open: Division Director, Division of Pharmacovigilance
6/21/12: APUA June Highlights
Dr. Stuart B. Levy receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society for Microbiology
APUA national stakeholder meeting on antimicrobial use in food animal production
APUA and Pew campaign to strengthen FDA guidance
APUA supports NRDC lawsuit against FDA
APUA article in The Scientist
APUA Clinical Newsletter Vol.30 No.1 available for download
Call for nominations: 2012 APUA Leadership Award for Young Professionals
Residues of banned antibiotics found in poultry feathers
Three states show progress in combating C. difficile
"Antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens"
"Metagenomic epidemiology and antibiotic resistance"
"Antibiotic stewardship and early discharge from hospital"
APUA-Bulgaria: report from the field
APUA-Cuba: report from the field
3/14/12: APUA March Highlights
Upcoming conferences & events
APUA and CDC campaign to raise awareness about C. difficile
APUA represented at Congressional hearing
APUA-Nepal: report from the field
IDSA proposes new approach for drug approval
CDC and ASTHO share HAI toolkit for policymakers
WHO launches open-access book on antimicrobial resistance
Danish EU Presidency holds conference on antimicrobial resistance
"Forgotten Antibiotics: An Inventory"
"ESBLs: A Threat to Human and Animal Health?"
"Amoxicillin for Acute Rhinosinusitis"
Global Health Magazine on vaccines
1/11/12: APUA January Highlights
New U.S. FDA cephalosporin restriction and APUA response
European Commission and European pharma industry reveal plans to accelerate new antibiotic R&D
Global Health Council article features APUA field work in Africa
APUA-Kenya: report from the field
APUA Clinical Newsletter Vol.29 No.3 available for download
10/27/2011: APUA October Highlights
GAIN Act introduced in U.S. Senate
APUA to partner on CDC HAI research
APUA poster and petition at IDSA meeting
APUA article "Food Animals and Antimicrobials" in Clinical Microbiology Reviews
APUA named a national strategic partner for CDC's "Get Smart About Antibiotics" Week
Transatlantic report on strategies for fighting antimicrobial resistance
30th anniversary and Leadership Awards posted on APUA website
7/7/2011: APUA July Highlights
APUA authors Microbe article about antimicrobials in food animals
APUA presents at 38th Global Health Council
APUA joins FDA petition for ban on cephalosporin use in food animals
New expert postings on APUA blog "Superbugs and Drugs"
APUA announces 2011 Leadership Awardee: ESCMID
APUA condolences to the friends and family of Dr. James Rahal
5/6/2011: APUA April & May Highlights
APUA comments on U.S. NARMS Strategic Plan 2011-2015
Dr. Stuart B. Levy receives International Society of Chemotherapy Award
Upcoming APUA Newsletter to focus on antibiotic stewardship
APUA at IDSA Congressional briefing in Washington D.C.
APUA-Bangladesh: report from the field
Last call for Leadership Award nominations! Due May 15
4/1/2011: APUA March Highlights
APUA partners with WHO for World Health Day 2011
APUA white paper on Triclosan available for download
APUA investigates comparative effectiveness in hand hygiene practice
APUA welcomes Ghana as a new chapter
APUA co-sponsors XV Congreso Panamericano de Infectologia
APUA to hold panel presentation at Global Health Council Meeting
3/1/2011: APUA February Highlights
APUA now accepting nominations for the 2011 Leadership Award
APUA takes action in the debate on Triclosan
Comment on APUA's blog, "Superbugs and Drugs" ®
APUA-India co-sponsors international training course in Jaipur
APUA-Nepal publishes seventh issue of its Newsletter
APUA corporate sponsorship benefits
1/27/2011: APUA January Highlights
IOM forum on microbial threats: workshop report
Boston Globe interviews Dr. Stuart B. Levy
APUA African chapter network & field report
Dan Rather Reports: "Addicted to Antibiotics"
APUA presents at key stakeholder conference on food safety in Washington D.C.
Upcoming international conference for improving use of medicines
11/15/10: APUA November Highlights
APUA features expert postings on its new blog, "Superbugs and Drugs®"
Boston Globe publishes APUA letter: "Alarms Sounded Over NDM-1 in Massachusetts and Persistent MRSA in Maine"
APUA suggests the establishment of compatible surveillance systems as focus for Transatlantic Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR)
APUA partners with CDC for "Get Smart About Antibiotics" Week: November 15-21, 2010