News & Updates

Meteorologic factors appear to influence the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children, such that the risk is exacerbated when ambient temperature is low and absolute humidity is high, but the risk is decreased in the presence of increased air pollutant concentrations, according to a study in Singapore.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The variants of concern have the potential to impact the transmissibility, virulence, and clinical presentation of the disease, affecting the epidemiology, public health measures, and diagnostic and therapeutic options. Mutations in the spike protein of the virus have increased its ability to infect humans and evade neutralization by natural or immunisation-induced antibodies. The highly mutated Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has multiple sublineages with varying transmissibility and immune evasion potential. Pre-exposure prophylaxis plays a crucial role in protecting the immunocompromised populations against severe disease; however, the rapidly changing landscape of the variants poses a major challenge to the current and future effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylactic monoclonal antibodies.

Patients aged ≥75 years with a first prosthetic joint infection following hip or knee arthroplasty have similar presentations and management as their younger counterparts (aged <75 years), according to a study. However, cardiac abnormalities and mortality at 1 year are higher in older patients.

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 16-31 January 2023 which includes New Molecular Entities (NMEs) and new biologics. It does not include Tentative Approvals. Supplemental approvals may have occurred since the original approval date.