News & Updates

Use of sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral regimens for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in clinical trial participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) does not appear to worsen estimated glomerular filtration rate levels, according to a study. Furthermore, the drug does not appear to contribute to an increased risk of end-stage renal disease among HCV patients with CKD treated in clinical practice.

Among middle-aged and older adults, trust in formal sources of vaccine information, such as government agencies, is a strong predictor of willingness to get vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a recent Singapore study.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of >8,000 adult and elderly patients with COVID-19 showed a positive association between vitamin D deficiency (ie, 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L) and severe COVID-19.

Cases of severe alcohol-related hepatitis requiring inpatient management has dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients aged <40 years and in women, a study has found.

Children with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) may benefit from a 5-day antibiotic regimen compared with the current standard regimen of 10 days, according to results of the US-based SCOUT-CAP trial.

Unemployment, difficulties regarding household finances, and a perceived decrease in general support lead to greater anxiety and depression burden in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, reports a recent meta-analysis.

Following the revised guideline for severe dengue (SD), which includes intensive monitoring of vital signs among others, helps prevent death of patients with multiorgan failure and/or abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), but not organ failure, a study has shown.

People who are exposed to online misinformation about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) become more likely to engage in unscientific practices, such as rinsing their noses with saline or eating more garlic, according to a recent Singapore study. On the other hand, misinformation discourages evidence-based prevention strategies, such as social distancing.

The use of delamanid-containing regimens is safe and effective in the management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), with high culture conversion and treatment success rates despite extensive resistance patterns, according to the results of a meta-analysis.

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic methods, such as serology or nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) tests, have high specificity and sensitivity for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and can be effectively deployed as border control mechanisms, according to a recent Singapore study.