Ampicillin-Sulbactam Outperforms Third-Generation Cephalosporins in Aspiration Pneumonia Outcomes: Study Finds

Japan: A large nationwide retrospective cohort study published in Respiratory Medicine has found that ampicillin-sulbactam may offer better outcomes than third-generation cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, in the treatment of aspiration pneumonia. Conducted by Jumpei Taniguchi and colleagues from the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, the study assessed real-world data to compare the effectiveness of these commonly used antibiotics.    

Using Japan’s Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) inpatient database, researchers analyzed 548,972 patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia between July 2010 and March 2022. Of these, 424,446 received ampicillin-sulbactam, while 124,526 were treated with third-generation cephalosporins. Within the cephalosporin group, 97.7% received ceftriaxone and 2.3% cefotaxime. The mean treatment duration was 8.5 days for the ampicillin-sulbactam group and 7.9 days for those treated with cephalosporins.

The analysis revealed the following findings:

  • Patients receiving ampicillin-sulbactam had a lower in-hospital mortality rate (14.6%) compared to those treated with third-generation cephalosporins (16.4%).
  • The difference in mortality corresponded to a risk difference of −1.8%.
  • The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection was lower in the ampicillin-sulbactam group (2.0%) versus the cephalosporin group (2.8%).
  • The difference in C. difficile infection rates showed a risk difference of −0.8%.

The findings suggest that ampicillin-sulbactam could be a more effective option for managing aspiration pneumonia, especially in reducing hospital mortality and preventing C. difficile infections, a major concern in hospitalized patients. The authors emphasized that these results support the importance of individualized antibiotic selection, taking into account the clinical context and potential risk factors for complications.

However, the study also acknowledged several limitations. Detailed clinical information, such as aspiration history, laboratory data, imaging findings, and microbiological cultures, was unavailable, which may have introduced heterogeneity in the patient population. The database also did not include long-term outcomes after hospital discharge. Additionally, the reasons for the initial choice of antibiotic therapy were not captured, making it difficult to fully understand prescribing patterns.

To ensure robustness, the researchers conducted multiple sensitivity analyses, including restricting the sample to patients requiring oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, or those aged 65 and older. These analyses consistently supported the main findings, reinforcing the observed benefit of ampicillin-sulbactam over third-generation cephalosporins.

“The study highlights the need for prospective trials with standardized diagnostic criteria and microbiological confirmation to validate these findings further. Until then, the evidence supports considering ampicillin-sulbactam as a first-line option for aspiration pneumonia, with antibiotic therapy tailored to patient-specific clinical factors to optimize outcomes,” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Taniguchi, J., Aso, S., Matsui, H., Fushimi, K., & Yasunaga, H. (2025). Ampicillin-sulbactam versus third-generation cephalosporins in aspiration Pneumonia: A nationwide retrospective cohort study. Respiratory Medicine, 247, 108276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108276

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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Safe and Feasible in Pregnancy: Study

Researchers have found in a new study that Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a safe and practical procedure for pregnant women, associated with minimal intraoperative and postoperative complications. The study was published in Cureus journal by VK Singhal and fellow researchers. A retrospective observational study in UAE hospital has reaffirmed the feasibility and benefits of LC in pregnancy, and it supports the increasing role of LC as the preferred treatment of symptomatic gallstones during pregnancy. The surgery demonstrated low complication rates of both surgical and obstetric complications, and this strengthens its safety profile and clinical utility in pregnant patients.

Gallbladder disease, such as cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, is not uncommon in pregnancy because hormonal changes influence bile composition and gallbladder motility. Traditionally, surgery in pregnancy has been managed cautiously with an eye on maternal and fetal risks. With advancements in minimally invasive surgery and perioperative care, the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy has increased.

This retrospective observational study examined medical records of 56 pregnant women between 18 and 42 years old who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones at Prime Hospital from January 2015 to December 2023. The inclusion criteria included those with acute or chronic cholecystitis, biliary colic, or undergoing immediate postpartum surgery. Non-surgical cases and those with incomplete data were excluded. Diagnoses were confirmed by clinical assessment and imaging, and all operations adhered to rigorous intraoperative protocols intended to reduce the risk of preterm delivery. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Key Findings

  • The mean age of the patients was 32.5 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 28.4 kg/m². The mean gestational age at surgery was 22.7 weeks. The majority of the patients (34, 60.7%) were multiparous. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were seen in 12 (21.4%) and 8 (14.3%) women, respectively.

  • The most frequent indications for surgery were symptomatic cholelithiasis in 30 patients (53.6%) and cholecystitis in 20 patients (35.7%). Intraoperative complications were exceptional, with a slight amount of bleeding in 3 cases (5.4%), and conversion to open surgery was required in only 2 cases (3.6%). The most frequent complication was postoperative pain in 40 patients (71.4%).

  • Obstetric complications were quite rare in general. Four patients (7.1%) had preterm labor, and 3 (5.4%) had fetal distress. Despite all these complications, neonatal status was outstanding, with high-quality APGAR scores and zero fetal deaths, which indicates LC did not affect fetal well-being if due caution was exercised.

The results of this study strongly attest to the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy. These findings highlight LC as a safe and effective surgical method for the treatment of gallbladder disease in pregnant women, especially in the second trimester.

Reference:

Singhal V, Alaswad F, Senofer N, et al. (March 03, 2025) The Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Pregnant Women . Cureus 17(3): e80005. DOI 10.7759/cureus.80005

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Hepatitis D Classified as Carcinogen; WHO Urges Immediate Action

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified hepatitis D as a human carcinogen, especially when co-infected with HBV, increasing liver cancer risk by 2 to 6 times. While WHO reports progress in vaccination and national plans, testing and treatment remain alarmingly low-only 13% of HBV and 36% of HCV cases are diagnosed. WHO calls for urgent expansion of screening and treatment efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis and reduce liver cancer-related deaths.

As we mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO calls on governments and partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths.

“Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Viral hepatitis – types A, B, C, D, and E – are major causes of acute liver infection. Among these only hepatitis B, C, and D can lead to chronic infections that significantly increase the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don’t know they’re infected. Types B, C, and D affect over 300 million people globally and cause more than 1.3 million deaths each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Hepatitis D now classified as carcinogenic

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, just like hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis D, which only affects individuals infected with the hepatitis B, is associated with a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B alone. This reclassification marks a critical step in global efforts to raise awareness, improve screening, and expand access to new treatments for hepatitis D.

“WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024, and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,” said Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO.

Treatment with oral medicine can cure hepatitis C within 2 to 3 months and effectively suppress hepatitis B with life-long therapy. Treatment options for hepatitis D are evolving. However, the full benefit of reducing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths can only be realized through urgent action to scale up and integrate hepatitis services – including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment – into national health systems.

Latest data and progress

Encouragingly, the majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have strategic plans on hepatitis in place and progress in national hepatitis responses is increasing:

• in 2025, the number of countries reporting national hepatitis action plans increased from 59 to 123;

• as of 2025, 129 countries have adopted policies for hepatitis B testing among pregnant women, up from 106 reported in 2024; and

• 147 countries have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination, an increase from 138 in 2022.

However, critical gaps remain in service coverage and outcomes, as stated in the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report:

• testing and treatment coverage remain critically low; only 13% of people with hepatitis B and 36% with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022;

• treatment rates were even lower – 3% for hepatitis B and 20% for hepatitis C – well below the 2025 targets of 60% diagnosed and 50% treated; and

• integration of hepatitis services remains uneven: 80 countries have incorporated hepatitis services into primary health care; 128 into HIV programmes and just 27 have integrated hepatitis C services into harm reduction centres.

The next challenge will be to scale up the implementation of prevention, testing and treatment coverage. Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections. With declining donor support, countries must prioritize domestic investment, integrated services, better data, affordable medicines, and ending stigma.

Forging new partnerships

To mark World Hepatitis Day, WHO is partnering with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to strengthen global and local advocacy. This year’s campaign “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down” demands action to confront the rising toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis infections. It also calls for decisive steps to dismantle persistent barriers – from stigma to funding gaps – that continue to slow progress in prevention, testing, and treatment.

Through a joint webinar and coordinated outreach, the partnership underscores the vital role of civil society and community leadership, alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating progress toward hepatitis elimination.

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Adenoid Hypertrophy Linked to Delayed Dental Development but Not Skeletal Growth in Children: Study

A new study published in the journal of BMC Oral Health showed that adenoid hypertrophy in children aged 7–12 does not significantly influence skeletal growth based on cervical vertebral maturation. However, it is associated with delayed dental development, as indicated by significantly lower Nolla dental age scores. This suggests impaired tooth eruption. Therefore a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric dentists, orthodontists, ENT specialists, and pediatricians is recommended to manage the developmental effects of respiratory disorders effectively.

Long-term mouth breathing can result in narrow maxillary and mandibular dental arches, a retrognathic mandible, a steep mandibular plane angle, incompetent lips, and an increase in anterior face height. They are sometimes referred to as “adenoid facies” and are frequently seen in youngsters with tonsillar and/or adenoid hypertrophy. Using panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs, this study sought to retrospectively assess the impact of adenoid hypertrophy on dental age and growth development levels in pediatric patients ages 7 to 12.

This analytical-archival study assessed radiographs of 348 children aged 7–12 who had orthodontic assessment at a private oral and dental health polyclinic between 2008 and 2023. Using panoramic radiographs and the Nolla methods, dental ages were calculated. The WebcephTM software was used to analyse lateral cephalometric radiographs. The McNamara Method was used to measure adenoid hypertrophy, and the Baccetti Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM) stages were used to measure growth development levels.

Of the patients (n = 348), 29.8% had adenoid hypertrophy. The control group’s SNA, ramus height, SNB, and face height ratio values were significantly higher (P < 0.05).

The study group had considerably higher values for FMA, mandibular plane angle, SN-GoMe, and Y-axis angle (P < 0.05).  ANB, gonial angle, lower gonial angle, and convexity angle did not differ significantly (P > 0.05).

While there were no gender-based differences in CS2 and CS4 stages (P > 0.05), boys’ chronological ages were considerably greater than girls’ in CS1 and CS3 stages (P < 0.05). In both sexes, the Baccetti categorization stages rose with age, although the rate of rise was statistically higher for females (P<0.05).

Also, there were no discernible variations in the chronological ages of research groups within the same Baccetti phases (P > 0.05). The research group’s Nolla ages were substantially lower (P < 0.05).

Overall, in children aged 7–12, adenoid hypertrophy had no discernible effect on growth and development levels as measured by cervical vertebral maturation. However, individuals with adenoid hypertrophy had substantially delayed Nolla dental ages, indicating a detrimental effect on tooth development and eruption. 

Source:

Ahlat, E. M., Ertuğrul, F., Baydaş, B., Ersin, N., & Ghabchi, B. (2025). The effect of adenoid hypertrophy on growth-development level and dental maturation: a 15-year retrospective radiographs study. BMC Oral Health, 25(1), 1266. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06600-3

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NEET 2025: AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU offer 2,179 MBBS seats- MCC seat matrix

New Delhi: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) officially released the final seat matrix for Round 1 of NEET UG 2025 counselling, confirming a total of 2,179 MBBS seats across premier institutions, including 20 AIIMS campuses, JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal, and the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU Varanasi.

As per the MCC data, these 2,179 MBBS seats are distributed among top-tier institutions including AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Raipur, AIIMS Rishikesh, and others. This seat matrix is crucial for aspiring medical students participating in Round 1 of NEET UG 2025 counselling.

The leading institutes in terms of MBBS seat availability under NEET UG 2025 include AIIMS Jodhpur with the highest number at 150 seats, followed by JIPMER Puducherry offering 134 seats. Several other prominent AIIMS institutions –  AIIMS Deogarh, Kalyani, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh, and Bhopal – each contribute 125 MBBS seats, making them significant contributors in the overall seat matrix.

FINAL SEAT MATRIX FOR AIIMS/BHU/JIMPER ROUND 1 UG 2025 (MBBS & BDS)

S.no Institute Seats
1 AIIMS
Bathinda (200511)		 100
2 AIIMS Bilaspur Changar Palasiyan, Himachal
Pradesh(200530)		 100
3 AIIMS
Jammu(200518)		 100
4 AIIMS
Mangalagiri (200510)		 125
5 AIIMS
Rajkot(200520)		 75
6 AIIMS,
Bibi Nagar, Hyderabad(200517)		 100
7 AIIMS,
Deogarh (200512)		 125
8 AIIMS,
Jodhpur(200505)		 150
9 AIIMS,
Kalyani(200514)		 125
10 AIIMS,
Madurai(200580)		 50
11 AIIMS,
Nagpur(200509)		 125
12 AIIMS,
New Delhi(200502)		 125
13 AIIMS,
Patna(200508)		 125
14 AIIMS,
Rai Bareli (200516)		 100
15 AIIMS,
Raipur(200506)		 125
16 AIIMS,
Rishikesh (200507)		 125
17 AIIMS-Bhopal,(200503) 125
18 INST.OF MED.SCIENCES,
BHU,VARANASI(200405)		 100
19 JIPMER
KARAIKAL(200522)		 45
20 JIPMER
PUDUCHERRY(200521)		 134
Total Seats 2179

NEET-UG SCHEDULE- 2025

All India Quota/ Deemed/ Central State Quota

S.No.

Schedule for Admission

State Counselling

All India Quota/ Deemed &Central Universities

Verification of Joined candidates

Data by MCC

Verification of Joined candidates Data by states

1

1st Round of Counselling

21st July, 2025 to 30th July,2025

7th Aug to 8th Aug, 2025

30th July to 6th Aug, 2025

13th to 14th Aug., 2025

2

Last date of Joining

6th Aug, 2025

_

12th Aug., 2025

_

3

2nd round of Counselling

12th Aug., 2025 to 20th Aug., 2025

30th Aug., 2025 to 1st Sept., 2025

19th Aug., 2025 to 29th Aug., 2025

5th Sept., 2025 to 6th Sept., 2025

4

Last date of joining

29th Aug., 2025

_

4th Sept, 2025

_

5

Round-3

3rd Sept., 2025- 10th Sept., 2025

19th Sept., to 21st Sept., 2025

9th Sept., 2025 to 18th Sept., 2025

24th Sept., 2025

6

Last date of joining

18th Sept., 2025

_

23rd Sept., 2025

_

7.

Stray Vacancy

22nd Sept., 2025 to 26th Sept., 2025

_

25th Sept., 2025 to 29th Sept., 2025

_

8.

Last date of joining

3rd Oct. , 2025

3rd Oct., 2025

9.

Commencement of Academic Session for UG Courses

1st September, 2025`


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WBMCC releases revised NEET 2025 Round 1 Counselling Schedule, check complete details

West Bengal- The West Bengal Medical Counselling Committee (WBMCC) has revised the Schedule for WB National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET UG) round 1 Counselling for the academic year 2025 for State Quota, Private Management Quota and NRI Quota seats in West Bengal.

As per the revised tentative Schedule, the WBNEET UG 2025 round 1 Counselling registration and submission of the online fee payment has now been extended till 08th August 2025. However, it was earlier scheduled till 03rd August 2025. Below is the complete revised schedule-

Also Read: WB NEET PG Special Stray Vacancy Round Counseling Tentative Schedule Released, Check details

TENTATIVE REVISED SCHEDULE

S.NO

EVENTS IN COUNSELLING

DATE & TIME

1

Online Registration by candidates qualified through NEET UG 2025.

07 pm of 31 July 2025 till 6 pm of 08 August 2025, (as per server time).

2

Online Fee payment.

07 pm of 31 July 2025 till 12 Midnight of 08 August 2025 (as per server time).

3

After successful Registration and Fee payment, Verification of Candidates in the already designated College and time slot by the software.

01 & 02 August 2025, 04- 08 August 2025 (11 am to 4 pm as per server time) & 09.08.2025 (10 am to 1 pm as per server time).

4

Publication of List of Successfully verified candidates & Publication of Seat Matrix for Round 1.

09 August 2025 after 3 pm.

5

Online Choice Filling and Choice Locking by the successfully verified candidates.

5 pm of 09 August 2025 till 12 Midnight of 10 August 2025 (as per server time).

6

Publication of Results.

After 4 pm on 12 August 2025

7

The Reporting and Admission of allotted candidates to the allotted Institute (for All Private Medical Colleges, the admission process will be in different Govt. Medical Colleges in Kolkata, related notice will be published on the website & for All Private Dental Colleges at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College, with the requisite original document, college requisite fee and bond (Once successfully re-verified, they can get admitted in the allotted seat).

13 & 14 August 2025, 11 am to 4 pm (as per server time).

To view the revised schedule, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/wbmcc-revises-wb-neet-ug-2025-round-1-counselling-schedule-registration-extended-till-august-8-296653.pdf

However, the rest of the WBNEET 2025 Counselling rounds remain the same, and the round 2 will commence from 19th August 2025, the round 3 from 09th September 2025 and the online stray round from 25th September 2025. Below is the complete schedule-

ROUND 2 SCHEDULE

S.NO

EVENTS IN COUNSELLING

DATE & TIME

1

Online Registration by candidates qualified through NEET UG 2025.

11 am of 19 August 2025 till 4 pm of 21 August 2025 (as per server time)

2

Online Fee payment.

11 am of 19 August 2025 till 12 Midnight of 21 August 2025 (as per server time).

3

After successful Registration and Fee payment, Verification of Candidates in the already designated College and time slot by the software.

20, 21 & 22 August 2025 (11 am to 4 pm as per server time).

4

Online seat surrender at the allotted college level with all original documents by the candidates.

22 August 2025, 11 am to 4 pm (as per server time).

5

Publication of List of Successfully verified candidates & Publication of Seat Matrix for Round 2.

25 August 2025 after 12 Noon

6

Online Choice Filling and Choice Locking by the successfully verified candidates.

4 pm of 25 August 2025 till Midnight of 27 August 2025 (as per server time).

7

Publication of Results.

01 September 2025 after 2 pm.

8

The Reporting and Admission of allotted candidates to the allotted Institute (for All Private Medical Colleges, the admission process will be in different Govt. Medical Colleges in Kolkata, related notice will be published on the website & for All Private Dental Colleges at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College, with the requisite original document, college requisite fee and bond (Once successfully re-verified, they can get admitted in the allotted seat).

Upgraded candidates need to get submitted & the submitted fee & document back with a server-generated relieving letter from the previous college before moving for admission in the newly allotted college.

02-04 September 2025 (11 am to 4 pm as per server time).

ROUND 3 SCHEDULE

S.NO

EVENTS IN COUNSELLING

DATE & TIME

1

Online Registration by candidates qualified through NEET UG 2025.

11 am of 09 September 2025 till 6 pm of 11 September 2025 (as per server time).

2

Online Fee payment.

11 am of 09 September 2025 till 12 midnight of 11 September 2025 (as per server time).

3

After successful Registration and Fee payment, Verification of Candidates in the already designated College and time slot by the software.

10 & 12 September 2025 (11 am to 4 pm as per server time).

4

Online seat surrender at the allotted college level with all original documents by the candidates.

12 September 2025, 11 am to 4 pm (as per server time).

5

Publication of List of Successfully verified candidates & Publication of Seat Matrix for Round 3.

13 September 2025 after 2 pm.

6

Online Choice Filling and Choice Locking by the successfully verified candidates.

4 pm of 13 September 2025 till 12 Midnight of 15 September 2025.

7

Publication of Results.

19 September 2025 after 4 pm.

8

The Reporting and Admission of allotted candidates to the allotted Institute (for All Private Medical Colleges, the admission process will be in different Govt. Medical Colleges in Kolkata, related notice will be published on the website & for All Private Dental Colleges at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College, with the requisite original document, college requisite fee and bond (Once successfully re-verified, they can get admitted in the allotted seat).

Upgraded candidates need to get submitted & the submitted fee & document back with a server-generated relieving letter from the previous college before moving for admission in the newly allotted college.

20-23 September 2025 (11 am to 4 pm as per server time).

ONLINE STRAY ROUND SCHEDULE

S.NO

EVENTS IN COUNSELLING

DATE & TIME

1

Online Registration by candidates qualified through NEET UG 2025.

11 am of 25 September 2025 till 4 pm of 26 September 2025 (as per server time).

2

Online Fee payment.

11 am of 25 September 2025 till 12 midnight of 26 September 2025 (as per server time).

3

After successful Registration and Fee payment, Verification of Candidates in the already designated College and time slot by the software.

26 & 27 September 2025, 10 am to 4 pm (as per server time).

4

Publication of List of Successfully verified candidates & Publication of Seat Matrix for Round online stray vacancy round.

27 September 2025 after 6 pm.

5

Online Choice Filling and Choice Locking by the successfully verified candidates.

After 6 pm on 27 September 2025 till 12 Midnight of 28 September 2025 (as per server time).

6

Publication of Results.

01 October 2025 after 4 pm.

7

The Reporting and Admission of allotted candidates to the allotted Institute (for All Private Medical Colleges, the admission process will be in different Govt. Medical Colleges in Kolkata, related notice will be published on the website & for All Private Dental Colleges at Dr. R Ahmed Dental College, with the requisite original document, college requisite fee and bond (Once successfully re-verified, they can get admitted in the allotted seat).

02 & 03 October 2025 from 11 am to 4 pm (as per server time)

To view the schedule, click the link below

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One-shot Dengue vaccine ‘DengiAll’ completes 70% enrolment of participants in Phase III trial: Centre

New Delhi: Seventy per cent of participant enrolment has been completed for the Phase III clinical trial of indigenous one-shot dengue vaccine, DengiAll, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha on Friday

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has undertaken a large-scale trial titled phase III, which is designed as a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity, Jadhav said.

“The trial involves over 10,000 participants, out of which more than 70 per cent enrolment has been completed. The trial has been implemented in 20 sites across India,” he said.

The sites are JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru (Karnataka), Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar (Telangana), PTI reported.
The approximate budget for the trial is Rs 1.3 to 1.5 crore per site, Jadhav said.
According to ICMR, there is no specific antiviral treatment or licensed vaccines for dengue and the treatment is supportive in nature, Jadhav said.
A total of 5,73,563 laboratory confirmed dengue cases were reported through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) in 2024, according to information shared by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to ICMR, all four serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV -4) are known to circulate and co-circulate in India.
Multiple serotypes can be present in the same geographical region and can even infect the same individual at the same time.
Hence, participants have been enrolled in the ICMR vaccine trial from different zones where these four serotypes circulate in order to test the efficacy of the vaccine against all four serotypes, Jadhav said.
The minister also said that the Union Health Ministry, Director General of Health Services, and National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) regularly monitor the situation of dengue outbreaks across the country for assessing the disease situation, preparedness, technical guidance and to sensitise and forewarn the states.
Under the National Health Mission, adequate budgetary support is provided to states and Union territories for dengue control activities such as epidemic preparedness, monitoring, case management, vector control (provision of domestic breeding checkers, ASHA involvement, insecticide, fogging machines), training, intersectoral convergence, awareness activities, etc.
For surveillance and free of cost diagnosis of dengue, Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals with laboratory facility and Apex Referral laboratories with advance diagnostic facilities have been identified across the country, Jadhav said.
The government of India has developed national guidelines on dengue treatment/management, in consultation with experts, which have been shared with all the states and UTs for implementation.
The guidelines emphasise the preparedness of hospitals for case treatment/management.
In addition, advisories have been issued from time to time to states/UTs for prevention and control of dengue, including case management, the minister said.

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Sugar layer on beta cells prevents immune system from causing type 1 diabetes

Scientific breakthroughs in one disease don’t always shed light on treating other diseases. But that’s been the surprising journey of one Mayo Clinic research team. After identifying a sugar molecule that cancer cells use on their surfaces to hide from the immune system, the researchers have found the same molecule may eventually help in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes.

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Editorial urges deeper focus on heart-lung interactions in pulmonary vascular disease

A new editorial published in Comprehensive Physiology underscores the critical importance of understanding heart-lung interactions in pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). Tim Lahm, MD, a pulmonologist and researcher at National Jewish Health, along with a team of esteemed colleagues from institutions across the country, urges the scientific community to confront the major knowledge gaps that hinder progress in improving patient outcomes.

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Tele-Consultation for follow-up patients soon at PGI Chandigarh

Chandigarh: The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, plans to launch tele-consultation services for follow-up patients to reduce the heavy patient load during Outpatient Department (OPD) hours.

The telemedicine department has circulated a formal proposal to all departments at the institute, inviting them to participate in the initiative. Under the proposed model, follow-up patients will be given the option to schedule online video consultations during their in-person OPD visits. Once registered, they would be assigned a specific date and time for a virtual appointment with their doctor.

The move, spearheaded by PGIMER’s telemedicine department, aims to reduce physical crowding and waiting times, particularly for patients who travel long distances for follow-up visits.

Each day, PGIMER receives between 8,000 and 10,000 outpatients, with follow-up visits accounting for roughly two-thirds of the total, and new registrations making up the rest. The institute has long struggled to manage this overwhelming patient volume.

One such initiative already in use is the Digi Seva system in the hepatology department. It allows follow-up patients to register online, bypass long queues, and receive priority access to doctors.

While PGIMER has already been providing remote consultations to doctors in Haryana under a memorandum of understanding with the state government — with 2.5 lakh expert opinions delivered since 2021 — direct doctor-to-patient tele-consultations have not yet been implemented at any government-run facility in the region. If PGIMER implements this service, it would be the first such initiative in a government healthcare institution.

Also Read: PGI Chandigarh boosts Clinical Research with access to over 28,000 case records

According to the Hindustan Times, a meeting involving stakeholders from various departments was held last month, following which a formal proposal has been circulated. So far, internal medicine, nephrology, neurosurgery, endocrinology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and gastroenterology departments have shown interest.

Although the project is still in its early stages and the technical details are yet to be finalised, a significant hurdle in its implementation is the shortage of adequate manpower.

Each department will need at least one data entry operator to manage scheduling and a technical assistant to support doctors during virtual consultations. With existing staff already stretched thin, departments may need to reallocate personnel or pursue new hiring.

Currently, the telemedicine department operates with just 25 staff members—23 of whom are funded under two Health Ministry-sponsored projects. PGIMER has directly provided only two contractual staffers for cleaning and sweeping.

Also Read: PGI Chandigarh celebrates 62 years of Healing

In addition to tele-consultation, the department also produces educational content — such as video lectures and training modules for MBBS students — under the health ministry’s learning management initiative. The long-pending demand for sanctioned academic and faculty posts was recently tabled at the institute’s 131st Standing Finance Committee meeting and is under review.

A follow-up meeting with departmental heads is expected once responses to the circulated proposal are received.

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