News & Updates

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir shows benefits in immunocompromised individuals with COVID-19

Effective antiviral therapy is crucial for achieving sustained viral clearance and improving outcomes in patients with COVID-19, particularly among immunocompromised individuals.

At the recent ESCMID Global 2025 in Vienna, Austria, Ruth Mokgokong, a pharmacologist at Pfizer, UK, presented findings from the EPIC-IC trial, highlighting the benefits of an extended nirmatrelvir-ritonavir regimen in severely immunocompromised patients with symptomatic COVID-19.

Point-of-care testing detects RTIs faster than ever

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) have been on the rise post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to high patient volumes, delayed clinic presentations, and prolonged lead times for PCR testing in the laboratory, doctors need a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool to help improve in-clinic patient workflow.

More cognitive issues, fewer heart problems after COVID-19 vs flu hospitalization in Asians

Individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 vs seasonal influenza face a greater risk of cognitive impairment and fatigue but a lower risk of cardiac disorders as long-term consequences of infection, according to a retrospective population-based cohort study in Singapore.

Short-course antibiotic for paediatric CAP on par with long-course regimen

A short-course antibiotic treatment for children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) demonstrates effectiveness similar to the long-course regimen but with fewer serious adverse events (AEs), reports a study.

Ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam safe for use in children

Treatment with either ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ/AVI) or ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T) is well tolerated and effective in children infected with Gram-negative pathogens resistant to carbapenems, a recent study has shown.

Flu shot during pregnancy extends protection to offspring

Influenza vaccination in pregnant women, especially during the second or third trimester, cuts the risk of infection in infants, as shown in a study.

Symptoms for ARIs in children vary across age groups

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are associated with various symptoms across different age groups, according to a Korea study.

Is anal cancer screening in MSM with HIV worth the buck?

Screening for anal cancer among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV aged ≥35 years is cost-effective, according to a recent study. However, there is a need for value-based prioritization strategies to improve screening use.