All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Infectious Disease

Rapid DNA Clostridium difficile test useful for public health laboratories.

July 22, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that infects dogs, cats and other animals and is transmissible from animals to man. It is important for veterinary diagnostic laboratories and public health laboratories to monitor infections of C. difficile as preventative measures and control of zoonotic infections.

Importance of the rapid C.Difficile DNA test

July 22, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

Availability of this test is an important advance.C.Difficile colitis has drammatically increased in frequency and severity and results in major health care costs.Early diagnosis of the infection with early treatment will improve prognosis.I would expect that the test should be rapidly introduced into clinical practice

First swine flu vaccine in the world goes into human trials

July 21, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Swine flu vaccine trials start | www.news.com.au

The first major challenge has started between old and new influenza manufacturing technologies What cannot be contested is that the new technology got to the clinic faster than the old technology  Now what needs to be seen is which technology can provide the best protection

Jeff StierAssociate DirectorAmerican Council on Science and Health

Swine Flu Presents Opportunities for Vaccine Makers And Others

July 21, 2009

Analysis of:Financial Times FT.com | www.ft.com

A relatively small group of pharmaceutical companies includingGlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis  which make vaccines have the market cornered when it comes to the front lines of the global fight against swine flu. But well positioned smaller companies could benefit

New PCR test--statistical improvement, but clinical question mark

July 20, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

The new Cepheid test that provides improved sensitivity over EIA and faster turnaround time compared to cytotoxicity assays. But acceptance of the new test in hospital laboratories will depend upon demonstration of clinical improvement of diagnosis and a beneficial impact on the cost per episode of care.

Are the New Molecular Assays for CDAD Worth the Cost?

July 20, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

The new molecular tests detect of genes of Clustridium difficile. They use primers to amplify the toxin(s) gene and the bacterium. The data that justify their sensitivity versus the current antigen detection assays are based on identification of the bacterium and potential for toxin expression. Since normal people can carry C. difficile, some are gene carriers of the toxins, the molecular tests may lead to more false positive results. The newer molecular assays may not be worth the cost.

Old-fashioned influenza vaccine manufacturing just doesnt cut it in pandemic

July 19, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Swine-Flu Vaccine Production Hits a Snag | online.wsj.com

The current swine flu pandemic has shown that traditional egg-based influenza vaccine manufacturing is too slow and cumbersome to deal with a real pandemic.The problem with this style of manufacturing is that the viral strain needs to be optimised for egg growth and this takes too long in a pandemic context.With a nonoptimised virus yields are often extremely low, hindering vaccine roll outOnly recombinant protein vaccine strategies bypass these problems being not reliant on virus culture

Peramivir's Influenza Trial Results Promising, but Report Lacks Clarity

July 19, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:BioCryst's influenza drug shows promise in study | www.reuters.com

The Biocryst influenza drug, Peramivir, shows promise in recent report. The drug, like Tamiflu, appears safe and, when used in a single intravenous injection, had efficacy vs influenza similar to orally administered Tamiflu. The injection route, requiring administration by medical personnel, should allow approval by regulatory agencies. The report, however, lacked important detail regarding actual efficacy seen and time of treatment relative to symptoms, so complete analysis is difficult.

New Rapid Test for C. Difficile

July 19, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com

C. difficile disease has been spreading throughout hospitals during the last decade. It causes serious diarrhea, dehydration and requires isolation of patients to prevent its spread. Part of the problem is the fact that up until now it took 3 days to make a definitive diagnosis. This new test has both rapid turn around time(45 minutes) and excellent sensitivity(93%) and specificity(94%). It should help to limit the proliferation of Clostridia difficile in the hospital setting.

Earlier Treatment Just Makes Sense

July 19, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Analysis of:AIDS treatment should start sooner, study finds | news.yahoo.com

These data will help justify earlier treatment of patients infected with HIV, before damage to the immune system occurs.

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