Pneumonia News

The Healio Editors have compiled a list of the most-read news in pulmonology posted in June.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for tocilizumab to treat hospitalized patients receiving corticosteroids who require supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, according to a press release.

Treatment with tofacitinib led to a lower risk for death or respiratory failure through day 28, compared with placebo, in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, according to data published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

This week, the FDA grants approval on treatments for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and cystic fibrosis; COVID-19 patients experience at least one persistent symptom; many patients self-identify the need for pulmonary rehab following COVID-19 hospitalization; and more.

This week, the ATS issued a new clinical practice guideline for noninfluenza viral pathogen testing in community-acquired pneumonia; the FDA issued two approvals: the first new Alzheimer’s treatment since 2003, as well as once-weekly semaglutide for weight loss; and Healio spoke with experts regarding the use of face masks among children, and the link between COVID-19 vaccination and tinnitus.

The FDA has approved omadacycline, an oral-only dosing regimen, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, according to a press release from Paratek Pharmaceuticals.

The American Thoracic Society issued a new clinical practice guideline that addresses the use of nucleic acid-based testing for noninfluenza viral pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia in the outpatient and inpatient setting.

This week, the CDC reported that breakthrough infections are rare among the first 101 million fully vaccinated people; tai chi is found to be effective to reduce belly fat in older adults; the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine safety group says its reviewed ‘few’ reports of myocarditis in young people; a follow-up analysis supports tocilizumab in moderate-to-severe COVID-19-associated pneumonia; and lidocaine throat spray reduces cough frequency in patients with refractory chronic cough.

A follow-up analysis of the CORIMUNO-TOCI-1 randomized clinical trial showed that tocilizumab may be considered for treating patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19-associated pneumonia and high C-reactive protein levels.

Around 10% of patients hospitalized for influenza and community-acquired pneumonia also had a community-onset bacterial coinfection, and these patients experienced worse outcomes and higher costs, according to a large U.S. study.