News & Updates

COVID-19 a leading cause of death among children and young people

COVID-19 caused substantially more deaths annually in children and young people than any vaccine-preventable disease historically in the recent period before vaccines became available.

mRNA technology: What do we know?

The mRNA technology has been researched since the early 60s, with applications not only within the infectious disease space but in rare diseases and respiratory viruses. But the most significant progress has been made during the past decade, said Dr Francesca Ceddia, SVP Respiratory Vaccines, Global Medical, Moderna Inc, at ECCMID 2023.

Functional loss common in patients with RSV

For many older adults, functional decline, loss of independence, and ending up in a nursing home is something they dread more than death itself, said Professor Anne Fausley from the University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, US at ECCMID 2023.

Managing MDR gram-negative bacterial infections: Key lessons from 5 years of using ceftazidime-avibactam

The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is a major and persistent global healthcare problem. In a Pfizer-sponsored symposium held during the 33rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), experts shared lessons drawn from over half a decade of using ceftazidime-avibactam in the management of MDR gram-negative bacterial infections. Prof David Paterson from the National University of Singapore and Dr Maddalena Giannella from Bologna University, Italy chaired the session. 

Among the highlights were real-world evidence (RWE) with ceftazidime-avibactam and how it has shaped the anti-infective therapeutic landscape, the importance of early, appropriate treatment and its place in antimicrobial stewardship strategies, and the roles of microbiology and diagnostics in optimizing treatment strategies.

Does dextromethorphan premedication relieve cough during flexible bronchoscopy?

Premedication with dextromethorphan 1 hour prior to flexible bronchoscopy appears to alleviate cough slightly in patients under conscious sedation and on topical lignocaine, reports a recent study.