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Are COVID-19 vaccines effective against long Covid?
A meta-analysis revealed that one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccines are 29% effective in preventing symptoms that last for three weeks or more after infection. People who received the vaccine after infection also experienced some benefits. These findings might encourage and reassure unvaccinated people with persistent symptoms to get vaccinated.
CIDRAP
Rebound of COVID-19 after Paxlovid treatment is rare
A study from Hong Kong on hospitalized patients with COVID-19 revealed the rebound of the virus infection after treatment with Paxlovid ( nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) and molnupiravir was uncommon. It also showed these treatments were not associated with higher chances of mortality. These findings suggest using these treatments for treating patients with early COVID-19 infection.
Scienmag
New malaria drug should be given at higher doses to cure infection
Tafenoquine at a dose of 300 mg was found to reduce recurrent infections with Plasmodium vivax by 70%, as per a study. Increasing the dose to 450 mg also reduced the recurrence by 85%. The drug has the advantage of being single-dosed, unlike primaquine, which should be taken for 7 to 14 days. Some studies suggested that a 300 mg dose of the drug was inferior to primaquine.
Today UK News
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines could reduce pneumonia hospitalizations
Older adults aged above 65 years who received the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were at a 6.7% lower risk of hospitalization due to pneumonia compared to those who did not take it, as per a study. The risk was 5.8% to 7.5% lower in older adults with underlying health conditions. Vaccine beneficiaries received the vaccine 14 days or more before hospitalization.
Twitter @JAMAInternalMed
Elon Musk's Neuralink is under investigation for violations
Internal staff complaints of animal-welfare violations leading to needless suffering and deaths have caused federal investigation, according to sources. The employees also complained that the rush to develop products led to botched experiments. The firm is developing brain implants that target paralyzed people and those with neurological diseases.
Twitter @Reuters_Health
BCG vaccine in infancy protects against TB in children but not adults
A study showed that BCG vaccination given at birth does not provide significant protection against tuberculosis among adults or adolescents. However, it protected children under the age of 5 years. These findings suggest that the vaccine's effectiveness begins to wave at 10 years of age, and adults should get booster shots for further protection against tuberculosis.
Mirage
FDA retrieves authorization for Eli Lily's COVID-19 drug bebtelovimab
The antibody therapy is not expected to work against Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. The firm has already paused the distribution of the drug. The FDA suggested that physicians use other drugs that are expected to work against these subvariants, including Paxlovid, Veklury, and Lagevrio. High titers of convalescent plasma is also advised for people with immune diseases.
FDA
FDA approves fecal transplant treatment for the first time
Rebyota from Ferring Pharmaceuticals targets Clostridium difficile for severe diarrhoea. It is given as an enema, and it replenishes good bacteria in the gut. The good gut bacteria is taken from fecal samples of healthy donors. The treatment availability and pricing are not yet known. Seres Therapeutics and other firms are also developing similar oral treatments.
Twitter @Reuters_Health
A new material to heal diabetic wounds faster
Researchers discovered a polymer that can instruct immune and fibroblast cells to help heal hard-to-treat diabetic wounds. The polymer can be applied directly to diabetic wounds. A single application of this polymer to the wounds in animal models increased fibroblast activity by three times in just four days and caused 80% wound closure, as per the study.
University of Nottingham
TikTok trend causes a shortage of a diabetes medication
Ozempic is a weekly injection that will help patients with type 2 diabetes improve their insulin sensitivity and suppress appetite, causing weight loss. Some celebrities started using it to shed weight, which sparked people's interest. Now the demand for this drug is causing shortages and harm to needy patients. Another weight loss drug Wegovy's supply also reduced.
USA Today
