News & Updates

Norovirus a growing threat that remains under-recognized

The major route of transmission, clinical impact and challenges of human noroviruses are largely under-recognized by healthcare professionals, an expert suggests.

Revisions in the International Standards for Tuberculosis Care 2014

The International Standards for Tuberculosis Care (ISTC), 3rd edition, (The Hague, 2014) is a set of recommendations made by a global coalition of organizations, including the WHO, and financed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).  It aims to facilitate the commitment of all care providers in delivering high-quality care for patients of all ages. “It is intended to complement, not replace national and local recommendations”, both Dr. Jubert Benedicto, past National Chair of Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis (PHILCAT), and Dr. Rontgene Solante, Board Secretary of PHILCAT, emphasized during their talks at the recent PhilCAT convention.

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (1-15 March 2024)

RSV infection tied to high admissions, deaths in younger children

In children aged <5 years, respiratory syncytial virus infection contributes to high hospital admission and in-hospital mortality rates, reports a Mexico study.

Newborns with congenital disease prone to severe RSV infection

Infants aged <1.5 months with cardiovascular or congenital/genetic diseases are at higher risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, according to a Taiwan study. Use of RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb) prophylaxis appears beneficial in these children.

Shorter antibiotic duration tied to higher mortality in infants with E. coli bacteremia

Shorter course of antibiotics was associated with higher mortality rates in infants with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteremia who did not undergo a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation compared with longer antibiotic courses, according to a recent study presented at PAS 2024.

Gepotidacin as good as current standard treatment for urogenital gonorrhoea

The oral investigational antibiotic gepotidacin is noninferior to the current standard treatment for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea in the randomized, multicentre, phase III EAGLE-1 trial.