News & Updates

Multipathogen testing an essential part of Test-Target-Treat strategy for respiratory illnesses

At a recent webinar, experts discussed the paradigm shift in respiratory illnesses and treatment practices as the COVID-19 pandemic transitions to an endemic phase. The late Dr Mohan Ravuru, Physician Researcher and former Asia Pacific Medical Director, Abbott, Dr Johnny Sinon, Senior Emergency Physician from Makati Medical Center, Philippines, and Associate Professor Nuntra Suwantarat, Infectious Disease Specialist, from Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thailand, delivered informative presentations and engaged the audience through a stimulating panel discussion.

Among the topics covered were the ‘immunity debt’ phenomenon leading to potential epidemics, challenges in the differential diagnosis of COVID-19 and influenza, and the importance of point-of-care, multipathogen testing as a part of the Test-Target-Treat strategy in respiratory diseases.

Turning the TIDES with Dengue Vaccination

Aedes aegypti mosquito is the epitome of ‘small bite, big threat’. A bite from a female Aedes aegypti mosquito is enough to spread dengue. There are four different serotypes of dengue virus, Dengue Virus 1–4 (DENV1–4), thus, individuals can be infected with dengue up to four times. Repeated infections increase the risk of severe dengue, a risk factor for mortality. These serotypes are endemic to a certain countries and cocirculate in the natural environment. Dengue poses a major global health concern, with approximately 40% of the world’s population at risk of infection and more severe cases linked to a 20% mortality rate.

E. coli, S. agalactiae afflict most infants with invasive bacterial infections

From 2006 to 2020, the most common invasive bacterial infections (IBIs) among infants <3 months of age are S. agalactiae, E. coli, and S. aureus, reveals a recent study in Korea. In addition, an increasing trend of S. agalactiae has been seen.

Which factors raise mortality risk in neonates CRAB sepsis?

In neonates with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) sepsis, factors such as congenital heart disease, clinical risk index for babies (CRIB) II score ≥9, shock, and severe thrombocytopaenia are associated with the risk of death, reveals a recent study.