David van Duin
@davidvanduin.bsky.social
1K followers 340 following 57 posts
Infectious Diseases physician, transplant infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. EiC for JAC-AMR https://academic.oup.com/jacamr. #IDsky #TxID
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Reposted by David van Duin
josh-nosanchuk.bsky.social
cmicomms.bsky.social
✨NEW open call for articles 📣
What's in a name? That's exactly what we want you to tell us in this new series we have just launched, "Person behind the name". Read the call and submit your piece here: www.cmi-comms.org/article/S295...

#IDSky #clinmicro
Banner announcing the journal's new series on "the person behind the name" and a call for articles
Reposted by David van Duin
newyorker.com
An early look at next week’s cover: "Remote Control,” by Barry Blitt.
nyer.cm/6ApBXER
The cover of the September 29, 2025, issue of The New Yorker.
Reposted by David van Duin
boghuma.bsky.social
Ever since I learned about this study enrolling I have been eagerly awaiting the results. Researchers in Uganda took a centuries-old cultural practice mothers carrying babies on their backs in cloth wraps and turned it into a public health tool. You got to love it!
www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Permethrin-Treated Baby Wraps for the Prevention of Malaria | NEJM
Malaria remains a major cause of childhood death in sub-Saharan Africa. We leveraged the traditional practice of mothers carrying children on their backs in cloth wraps to assess whether treating t...
www.nejm.org
Reposted by David van Duin
Reposted by David van Duin
jac-amr.bsky.social
Infection with antimicrobial-resistant organisms significantly worsens outcomes in cancer patients
A survey of oncologists offers data that could support the development of oncology-specific AMS strategies and training programs:
doi.org/10.1093/jaca...
#IDSky #JACAMRNews
doi.org
Reposted by David van Duin
Reposted by David van Duin
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
Justice Sotomayor is crystal clear in dissent as to what's happening: "We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
NOEM v. VASQUEZ PERDOMO
SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting
this Court decides to take the once-extraordinary step of
staying the District Court’s order. That decision is yet another grave misuse of our emergency docket. We should not
have to live in a country where the Government can seize
anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to
work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our
constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent.
Reposted by David van Duin
andrewpaviamd.bsky.social
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, until recently head of NIAID and Dr. Kathy Neuzil (incredible public servants and scientists!) document the extent of political interference with science at NIAID. Whistle-Blower Complaints Detail Tension Over Vaccines at N.I.H. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/h...
Whistle-Blower Complaints Detail Tension Over Vaccines at N.I.H.
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by David van Duin
peerreviewcongress.bsky.social
The great @maclomaclee.bsky.social on the future of journal articles: as the numbers of journals, articles increase, the value of the information they provide diminishes or depreciates. Discrete actions can help sustain the value as an economic (and moral?) good @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social #CAMARADES
Reposted by David van Duin
timothystraub.com
Just came across this preprint: groups at @broadinstitute.org and MGH developed a low-cost, #CRISPR based diagnostic for pathogenic bacteria and #AMR genes from blood cultures.
medrxivpreprint.bsky.social
BADLOCK: A Rapid, Portable, Inexpensive Diagnostic for Bacterial Pathogen and Resistance Detection in Resource-Limited Settings https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.11.25332217v1
Reposted by David van Duin
dmaronoff.bsky.social
As the trump administration dials back surveillance for and prevention of infectious diseases guess what the biggest threat to our health systems is right now? That's right, infectious diseases.
Reposted by David van Duin
contagionlive.bsky.social
Joseph Eron, MD, provides insights on their international reach as well as some of the important trials they have been involved in, notably the PURPOSE studies involving the landmark trials around #lenacapavir for HIV prevention. #IDsky #Medsky
UNC’s Global Laboratory Attracts Researchers, Leads to Discoveries Around HIV Prevention and Treatment
Joseph Eron, MD, provides insights on their international reach as well as some of the important trials they have been involved in, notably the PURPOSE studies involving the landmark trials around len...
www.contagionlive.com
Reposted by David van Duin
donmoyn.bsky.social
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC.  

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business.   I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people.  This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.   The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.  This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors.  Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC.  The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense.  Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function.  Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.
Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults.  Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again.  I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season.  Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.”  We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary.  I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us.  Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources.  At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him.  To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer.  I believe in nutrition and exercise.  I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability.  Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning.  My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so.  I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud.   I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur.  I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics.  I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution.  If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
Reposted by David van Duin
gregggonsalves.bsky.social
I'm tired of playing nice. I've been talking to Joe Jacobson from Progressive Action Fund about creating an ad targeting vulnerable members of Congress on cuts to scientific research at NIH and other agencies. I've raise about $30,000 for this but we need $50K. 1/ secure.actblue.com/donate/paf20...
CHIP IN BEFORE MIDNIGHT >>
Help Progress Action Fund DEFEAT Republicans, ensure Democrats take back control of the House, Senate & Presidency!
secure.actblue.com
Reposted by David van Duin
sairabt.bsky.social
Must read for all teams consulting infectious diseases #idsky #idmeded #meded #stewardship #voicesofID @cidjournal.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
davidvanduin.bsky.social
Regarding the piece in Nature that triggered this conversation, there are a number of important limitations outlined here www.the-geyser.com/nature-goes-... by Kent Anderson
However, requests for (self) citation certainly occur in non-F1000 “regular” journals with more active editorial oversight
Nature Goes Full Stoopid
A news article about a preprint analyzing junk peer review feeds our self-loathing narrative
www.the-geyser.com
Reposted by David van Duin
uoaepi.bsky.social
UKAR: 1000 participants and counting.
We are delighted to share that the UK Antimicrobial Registry, a collaboration with @bsacandjac.bsky.social, has over 1000 recruits 🥳
Thank you to all our patients, hospital research teams, NHS Boards/Trusts and collaborators 🙏
#UKARStudy #AMR #AMS #researchstudy
davidvanduin.bsky.social
This is an area where editors need to be proactive. As an editor, if you see citation requests you need to evaluate whether the request is appropriate for the paper in question. Then provide clear feedback to authors (and reviewer if needed).
Reposted by David van Duin
jbf1755.bsky.social
The big question is, how long will people accept a militarized capital?

For no reason.
atrupar.com
Trump on his DC takeover: "The big question is, how long do we stay? Because if we stay, we want to make sure it doesn't come back. So we have to take care of these criminals ... we can take everybody out and you have a great capital."
davidvanduin.bsky.social
@ashlan-kunz-coyne.bsky.social any comments?
For “pneumonia” diagnosis, you followed CDC/NHSN from 2008
You excluded polymicrobial and required 96hrs anti-steno therapy. Certainly treating MD thought true infection! Of 948, 524 patients met enrollment criteria. A bit higher than expected maybe?
Reposted by David van Duin
jama.com
JAMA @jama.com · Aug 13
Among adults with complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, dalbavancin was not superior to standard therapy, though both treatments demonstrated similar efficacy and safety profiles.

ja.ma/46W6Cc2
JAMA article titled: Dalbavancin for Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia. Includes 2 tables showing primary outcomes and desirability of outcome ranking by treatment group, comparing Dalbavancin & standard therapy effectiveness.