The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) recently published an Editorial related to understanding who benefits the most when taking the oral COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid.
Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir, plus ritonavir) is the first oral small-molecule antiviral agent administered targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus main protease inhibitor with potent pan–human-coronavirus activity in vitro.
The U.S. FDA and various countries have authorized Paxlovid.
What is Paxlovid’s Absolute and Relative COVID-19 Risk Reduction
Wild Birds Carrying Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Are Landing
Unusual ‘bird-flu’ announcements continue to reach new areas and expand within U.S. states during 2022. Migrating wild birds infected with Avian influenza (AI) are actively carrying the disease without showing visible signs of illness.
Unlike recent years, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has already confirmed 385 birds carrying the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus as of March 17, 2022.
ACC Offers Guidance on Cardiovascular Sequelae of COVID-19
Guidelines address myocarditis and other types of myocardial involvement, postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, and return to exercise
Sotrovimab May Prevent Progression to Severe COVID-19
Risk for all-cause hospitalization or death through day 29 reduced with sotrovimab versus placebo for circulating variants at the time of the study
Lyme Disease Testing May Depend on Autoantibody Biomarkers
Researchers at Massachusetts-based Tufts University School of Medicine recently announced they identified a testing mechanism that detects a type of antibody, infected individuals produce, against a substance the Lyme bacteria acquires from the host to grow.
These researchers stated on March 15, 2022, they believe tests to detect auto-antibodies, which are antibodies that mistakenly target and react with a person's tissues or organs, could empower clinicians with a way to diagnose Lyme disease sooner.
COVID-19 Vaccines Do Not Impact IVF Success
No differences seen in fertilization or pregnancy rates between vaccinated, unvaccinated women
Hospital Mortality From Non-SARS-CoV-2 Causes Up Among Seniors
During the pandemic, mortality in the 30 days after hospital admission for non-SARS-CoV-2 causes increased for Medicare beneficiaries
Ashish Jha Named New White House COVID-19 Coordinator
Appointment comes as Jeff Zients plans to leave his post next month
Republic of Kenya Confirms Yellow Fever Fatalities
The government of the Republic of Kenya recently activated its health emergency response mechanisms following the death of three persons attributed to an outbreak of yellow fever in Isiolo County.
According to Acting Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth, the first yellow fever case was detected on January 12, 2022, while 15 patients presented with fever, jaundice, muscle, and joint pains have been line-listed.
And as of March 5, 2022, three related deaths were reported, a 20% fatality rate.
Pfizer Asks FDA to Approve Second Booster for Seniors
Pfizer is citing data from two studies out of Israel that have been published without peer review on preprint servers