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Shorter treatment regimen feasible for rifampin-resistant TB?
Individuals with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) may have the option to undergo shorter treatment periods, as findings from the phase II/III TB-PRACTECAL* trial show the noninferiority and superiority of a 24-week, all-oral regimen to standard of care (SoC). It also had a better safety profile than SoC.

Genital tract infections not a risk factor for cytologic abnormalities regardless of HPV infection status
Neither vulvovaginal candidiasis nor bacterial vaginosis is associated with increased incidence of cervical cytologic abnormalities among women with or without human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, according to a study. Bacterial vaginosis may even have a protective effect against cytologic abnormalities among women with HPV coinfection.

Survival advantage in COVID-19 seen with 8-mg/kg tocilizumab
In the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, survival outcomes appear to be more favourable with the 8-mg/kg tocilizumab regimen than with the fixed-dose tocilizumab regimen or sarilumab, according to a study.

Studies support vedolizumab benefit for IBD
Data presented at the Crohn’s & Colitis Congress (CCC) 2023 reflect the benefit of vedolizumab for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), be it alone or in a combination regimen. In one study however, extraintestinal manifestations were observed following vedolizumab use.

Does molnupiravir improve outcomes in vaccinated COVID-19 patients?
The addition of molnupiravir to usual care does not reduce hospitalization or death in vaccinated, community-dwelling individuals at high risk of serious outcomes of COVID-19, results of the UK-based PANORAMIC trial showed. However, it may provide other benefits such as reducing time to recovery.

COVID-19 vaccines partially effective against Omicron BA.2 infection in children and adolescents in HK
According to a retrospective, territory-wide, case-based study, the mRNA-based BNT162b2 vaccine and inactivated CZ02 vaccine were partially effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents during the Omicron BA.2 wave in Hong Kong.



