News &amp; Updates

JNJ-56136379, a capsid assembly modulator designed to interfere with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, shows antiviral activity and is well-tolerated in treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infections, a new study has found.

Novel agent holds promise against hepatitis B

How real is the airborne threat of COVID-19?

28 Aug 2020 by

After months of debate on whether COVID-19 can spread via airborne route, mounting evidence suggests that this is indeed the case — particularly in enclosed areas.

How real is the airborne threat of COVID-19?

Viral shedding via GI tract in children with COVID-19 lasts up to 4 weeks after negative PCR result

28 Aug 2020 by

A study with limited case data reveals a shorter duration of viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), through the upper respiratory tract in children compared with adults.

Viral shedding via GI tract in children with COVID-19 lasts up to 4 weeks after negative PCR result

Infection may increase mortality risk in dementia

28 Aug 2020 by

Post-infection mortality is higher in older patients with dementia than those without in an analysis of Danish national registry data presented at AAIC 2020.

Infection may increase mortality risk in dementia

ADVANCE update: TAF/FTC + DTG regimen comparable to SoC for HIV-1 viral suppression

HIV-1 RNA viral suppression is comparable between tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine (FTC) + dolutegravir (DTG), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/FTC + DTG, and TDF/FTC/efavirenz (EFV) regimens, according to updated results of the ADVANCE trial.

ADVANCE update: TAF/FTC + DTG regimen comparable to SoC for HIV-1 viral suppression

High BP may raise risk of dying from COVID-19

Hypertensive patients are twice more likely to die from COVID-19 — particularly if they are not treated with antihypertensive medications — than people without hypertension, a large retrospective study has shown.

High BP may raise risk of dying from COVID-19

SARS a greater threat to kids than COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) appears to be a more severe disease than the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children, according to a recent China study.

SARS a greater threat to kids than COVID-19

ORF8 and ORF3b antibodies: Highly sensitive and specific new markers for early and late SARS-CoV-2 infection

Hong Kong and French researchers have assessed antibody responses to a panel of 15 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens, identifying and further validating antibodies to open reading frame (ORF)8 and ORF3b within the virus’s RNA as accurate serological markers of early and late SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ORF8 and ORF3b antibodies: Highly sensitive and specific new markers for early and late SARS-CoV-2 infection