ASCLS eNewsBytes

• Tracking Measles and the World's Vaccine-Preventable Diseases September 8, 2026
  Preventable infectious diseases are increasing worldwide due to stagnation in immunization, changing vaccine acceptance and reduced public health funding. The CDC reports record levels of vaccine exemptions in the U.S., rising by 18% from the 2024-25 to 2025-26 school year, worsening an emergency that began with a measles outbreak in Texas in early 2025.
• Where AI Delivers Practical Value in Pathology Labs September 8, 2026
  Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into pathology and laboratory workflows. Labs must identify effective applications, understand automation's role in saving expert time, ensure data quality for model performance and gather appropriate evidence before integrating tools into routine decision-making.
• How AI Is Changing Breast Cancer Screening September 8, 2026
  Artificial intelligence is being used not only to assist doctors in detecting breast cancer on mammograms but also to predict future breast cancer risk in patients.
• Antiviral Drug Remdesivir May Cut Risk of Death in Adults With Severe COVID and Kidney or Liver Disease September 8, 2026
  Early use of the antiviral drug remdesivir may lower the risk of death by 28 days in hospitalized adults with kidney or liver disease due to COVID-19. Researchers examined medical claims and hospital cost data regarding early RDV initiation among US adults with these conditions from 2021 to 2025.
• FDA Approves Zilganersen Injection, First Drug for Alexander Disease September 8, 2026
  The FDA has approved zilganersen injection as the first therapy for Alexander disease, a rare neurological disorder, in both pediatric and adult patients. This treatment targets the protein buildup responsible for the disease, addressing a previously unmet need as care had been exclusively supportive.