PathAdvantage | 09/09/2024At PathAdvantage, we’re excited to announce the release of the eighth edition of The Bug Book, a critical resource for clinicians treating gynecologic-related infectious agents. This new edition includes several key updates to ensure the most accurate is at your fingertips.
You can purchase The Bug Book in print and app format here.
When we published Bug Book 15 years ago, we answered a need for an accurate, up-to-date, and easy-to-use reference for medical professionals who frequently treat common presentations of different organisms and conditions. We strive to keep the information in The Bug Book up to date by publishing new editions, including the eighth edition, now available.
“With every update, the scientific literature on each organism is reviewed,” says coauthor Sue Bornstein, MD, MCAP. “We review any updates from the CDC and other organizations like ACOG and Infectious Diseases Society of America that create guidelines for treating the organisms covered in The Bug Book. If there is new clinical information, we update those sections accordingly.”
Updates in the 2024 Edition of The Bug Book
This latest edition of The Bug Book features significant updates and new additions, reinforcing its role as a vital resource for clinicians including:
- Advanced research on Antibiotic Resistance (ABR) gene testing: This edition dives into new testing methods added that are now part of PathAdvantage’s molecular panels. This testing helps identify the most effective antibiotics for treating BV, STIs, and other conditions, helping doctors achieve better patient outcomes. “This is especially important since many organisms continue to develop resistance to commonly used antimicrobial therapy,” explains Dr. Bornstein. The advanced testing ensures that treatments are not only effective but also targeted, reducing the risk of promoting antibiotic resistance.
- New recommendations for Mycoplasma genitalium including resistance-guided 2-stage therapy: Two-stage therapy for this infection boasts a high recovery rate when guided by resistance testing. Molecular testing can help more precisely guide treatment recommendations and lead to higher overall treatment effectiveness and satisfaction within clinical practices.
- Promising new treatments for treating urinary tract infections: With new research, we highlight three groundbreaking treatments for urinary tract infections including Pivya, an antibiotic successfully used in Europe for over 40 years, and Gepotidacin, a novel antibiotic expected to receive FDA approval in 2025.
Who Will Benefit From The Bug Book?
“Certainly The Bug Book benefits clinicians since it combines useful information on a wide variety of different clinical conditions in one place,” says Dr. Bornstein. “Ultimately, though, it benefits patients as well since they can receive up-to-date, tailored treatments for their clinical concerns.”
Since The Bug Book is intended to be a clinical decision support tool, it’s a dynamic document that is updated as new recommendations become available.
“I rely on the PathAdvantage Bug Book for the most up-to-date treatment for my patients who struggle with chronic vaginitis and sexually transmitted infections,” says Ruth Whiddon N.P. at Centennial OB/GYN in Frisco, Texas. “The Bug Book is always at my fingertips, both on the app and hard copy book format. A huge benefit to my practice and the care I provide to my patients!”
For the doctors of PathAdvantage, The Bug Book represents a continuation of the team’s lifelong commitment to improving women’s lives.