Study IDs Immune Abnormality Possibly Causing Long COVIDÂ
Swiss scientists have identified immune system abnormalities in patients with long COVID-19 that might open the door to new diagnostic tests and treatments. The researchers found that a group of proteins in the blood that are part of the body’s immune response called the “complement system” are not working properly in patients with long COVID-19. Â
Full Access: MedscapeÂ
Comparison of Administration of 8-Milligram and 4-Milligram Intranasal Naloxone by Law Enforcement During Response to Suspected Opioid Overdose — New York, March 2022–August 2023Â
A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that administering an 8 mg dose of intranasal naloxone does not increase the odds of surviving an opioid overdose; a higher dose than the usual 4 mg may result in a greater risk for onset of opioid withdrawal symptoms. Full Access: CDCÂ
FDA Approves Drug to Reduce Accidental Food AllergiesÂ
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omalizumab (Xolair, Genentech) for reducing allergic reactions to foods in adults and most children. The drug is meant to be taken regularly by patients with food allergies to reduce the risk for reactions, including anaphylaxis, in case of accidental exposure to one or more allergens. The injection is not approved for emergency treatment of an allergic reaction. Full Access: Medscape Â
Anaerobic Antibiotic Coverage in Aspiration Pneumonia and The Associated Benefits and Harms: A Retrospective Cohort StudyÂ
In this multicenter retrospective cohort study across 18 hospitals, patients were included if the physician diagnosed the patient with aspiration pneumonia and prescribed guideline-concordant first-line community-acquired pneumonia parenteral antibiotic therapy within 48 hours of admission. Researchers found that extended anaerobic coverage is likely unnecessary in aspiration pneumonia because it is associated with no additional mortality benefit, only an increased risk of C. difficile colitis. Full Access: Chest JournalÂ
