COVID-19

A recent research letter identified a correlation between mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 and cases of chronic spontaneous urticaria, although the connection requires further study.

New data from the AHA 2023 Statistical Update suggest more people died from cardiovascular-related causes in 2020 than in any year since 2003.

An FDA panel voted unanimously this week to support harmonizing an annual primary and booster dose, moving public health strategies to reflect the endemic course of COVID-19.

A new review shows a majority of COVID-19 randomized, controlled trial preprints have been published with changes to the components of the original findings.

SARS-CoV-2 infections cause microbiome dysbiosis in patient and possibly an increase in opportunistic pathogens and a decrease in beneficial bacteria.

“Repurposing approved drugs developed for other conditions presents an attractive strategy to identify new treatment options and expand access to potentially lifesaving care,” investigators wrote.

Patients with COVID-19 and CDI had a higher incidence of sepsis, shock, ICU admission, and acute kidney injuries.

Patients with mild infection are not at particular risk for severe, chronic outcomes from long Covid, according to new Israel data.

Gut microbiota diversity was lower in below average responders, while 39.5% of participants had a serological response below the geometric mean.

New data support following existing guidelines for mechanical ventilation in pneumonia from SARS-CoV-2, as mortality rates are similar regardless of cause for pneumonia.

New longitudinal data support bolstered use of booster doses among health care workers in US nursing homes.

This novel concept can benefit patients and clinicians alike by appropriately applying new technologies to identify bacteria more efficiently and decrease the time to optimal therapy.

Meta-analysis data show female, Black and Asian participants are generally underrepresented across studies assessing COVID-19 prevention or treatment strategies.

The indication makes tocilizumab the first monoclonal antibody to be granted full FDA approval to treat the pandemic virus.

New surveillance data from the 2021-22 influenza show the impact of coinfection among younger patients.

Almost 4 years since the beginning of the pandemic, continuous research efforts have begun to paint a better picture of the impact the virus has on the brain and the central nervous system.

The investigators also found an increase in the proportions of monthly hospitalizations during the pandemic for a number of disorders, including anxiety, depression, and suicidality or self-injury.

There was also higher neutralizing antibody titers against BA.4/5 with a lower hazard risk in the group with a breakthrough infection.

Wendy Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, and Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP, provide insight on vaccine hesitancy among patients and the importance of increasing vaccine uptake to protect against SARS-CoV-2.

Rodney Rohde, SV, SM, MB (ASCP), FACSc, discusses the regression in combating antimicrobial resistance in the US because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, comments on the importance of communicating the similarity of the bivalent booster vaccine safety profiles to patients.

Expert nurse practitioner Wendy Wright and Dr Madeline King share their approach to conversations with patients on optimizing SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccine administration.

Wendy Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, leads a discussion on monitoring long-term data for the safety and efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccines.

Drs Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, Madeline King, Rodney Rohde, and expert nurse practitioner Wendy Wright provide insight on receiving the influenza vaccine concurrently with the SARS-CoV-2 booster shot, and comment on data on immune responses from the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.

Experts in the management of SARS-CoV-2 educate on CDC and FDA recommendations for approaching administration of booster vaccines, including those for special patient populations.