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Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Treatment of Pericarditis
Pericarditis accounts for up to 5% of emergency department visits for nonischemic chest pain in North America and Western Europe. With appropriate treatment, 70% to 85% of these patients have a benign course. In acute pericarditis, the development of constrictive pericarditis (<0.5%) and pericardial tamponade (<3%) can be life-threatening. Full Access: JAMA
The Latest Research About Paxlovid: Effectiveness, Access, and Possible Long COVID Benefits
Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, the only approved oral therapy for COVID-19, is recommended for treating mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infections among people who are at high risk of progression to severe disease. Recent observational studies suggest nirmatrelvir-ritonavir still protects people at high risk against hospitalization and death from COVID-19. But racial and ethnic disparities are noticeable. Furthermore, as the number of people with postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long COVID, grows, scientists have been investigating whether nirmatrelvir-ritonavir might be useful in protecting against or treating the condition. Full Access: JAMA
Uptick in Parvovirus B19
The CDC recently issued a health advisory for human parvovirus B19, a highly transmissible airborne respiratory virus. In the first quarter of 2024, 14 European countries observed unusually high numbers of cases of parvovirus B19. In the U.S., meanwhile, the number of people testing positive for antibodies increased from less than 3% from 2022 to 2024 to 10% in June 2024, with the greatest increase in kids aged 5 to 9 years old. Full Access: JAMA
A Monoclonal Antibody to PACAP for Migraine Prevention
Targeting pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a new avenue for treating migraine. In a phase 2 trial, a single intravenous infusion of 750 mg of Lu AG09222 showed superiority over placebo in reducing migraine frequency over the subsequent 4 weeks. Full Access: NEJM