The session emphasized the comparable effectiveness of oral antibiotics vs. IV therapy in treating osteomyelitis, bacteremia, and endocarditis—offering lower risks of complications. Antimicrobial de-escalation from broad- to narrow-spectrum antibiotics, especially in ICU, sepsis, pneumonia & bacteremia cases, showed similar cure rates while reducing resistance, toxicity and promoting safer, targeted antibiotic use.

Biofilm-associated infections persist due to factors like dormant cells and altered environments. Strategies include prevention, disruption, and immune modulation. Early antibiotic response is crucial, as biofilms are more vulnerable before maturation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) enhances antibiotic efficacy in chronic wounds and infective endocarditis. HBOT requires further trials for clinical use.

A recent study evaluated the impact of artificial sweetener consumption on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk in pregnant women & found that those consuming high levels of sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame & sodium saccharin had a 56.9% incidence of GDM, compared to 43.1 in low-consumption group. High consumption was tied to a higher GDM risk (OR 2.66), particularly in those with higher BMI & younger age.

New-onset heart failure (HF) was more frequent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) & stroke. Among over 13,000 patients, 10-year HF incidence was highest in patients with CHD (25.3%) & myocardial infarction (24.6%), followed by stroke (13.5%). Ischemic stroke patients had higher incidence of HF (14.7%) than hemorrhagic stroke patients (7.3%). Hypertension & obesity increased HF risk, especially in stroke.

Intralesional measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was more effective in treating warts compared to intralesional vitamin D3, a study noted. 80.4% of patients in the MMR (0.3 mL) group showed a complete response versus 66.1% in the vitamin D group (0.3 mL). The MMR group reported higher rates of mild pain and itching at the injection site. Recurrence rate was similar after 6 months (3.6 vs. 5.4).

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) were at a markedly higher risk of both ischemic & hemorrhagic stroke. Those with DS had over four-fold risk of ischemic stroke (HR 4.41) & five-fold risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HR 5.14). Ischemic stroke risk further surged in those with atherosclerotic (HR 12.67) & embolic (HR 10.35) risk factors. While acute MI rates were similar, younger individuals with DS showed elevated risk.