Last Month in Medicine
(What’s happening in the Medical World??)
By- Sai Lavanya Patnala & Madhav Bansal
- Recent surge in COVID cases
There has been a rise in the new COVID-19 variants, with cases reported across the country. NB.1.8.1 was first identified in Tamil Nadu in April 2025, while four cases of LF.7 were confirmed in Gujarat in May 2025. The JN.1 variant, a subvariant of Omicron, has evolved from the BA.2.86 strain, also known as Pirola. JN.1 is distinct from other variants due to its symptoms, including low-grade fever and gastrointestinal issues. Cases are also being reported in Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka. Currently, there is no indication that these variants significantly evade immunity from vaccination or prior infection. Existing vaccines and treatments remain effective, and the government continues to stress the importance of vaccination and booster doses.
- Updated CDC guidelines on HIV PEP
The CDC has updated its 2016 recommendations for nonoccupational exposure to nonintact skin or mucous membranes that pose a substantial risk of HIV transmission. Before initiating nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP), a rapid point-of-care or laboratory-based antigen/antibody combination HIV test is recommended. The first dose of nPEP should be administered as soon as possible—ideally within 24 hours, and no later than 72 hours after exposure. The preferred nPEP regimens now include bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, or dolutegravir combined with either tenofovir alafenamide or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, along with emtricitabine or lamivudine.
- Updates from the 78th World Health Assembly
At the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, Member States endorsed several key initiatives to strengthen global health efforts. A major outcome was the approval of an updated road map to reduce the adverse health effects of air pollution, setting the first voluntary target to cut related health impacts by 50% by 2040. This goal will be supported through enhanced surveillance, evidence synthesis, institutional capacity building, and global leadership, with practical guidance for health authorities to advocate for clean air and protect vulnerable communities.
The Assembly also agreed to expand the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to address the growing influence of digital marketing. A 2025 resolution calls on countries to regulate online promotion of formula milk, teats, bottles, and baby foods, and to establish robust monitoring and enforcement systems.
In addition, the Assembly reviewed the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030, which highlights a growing shortfall in health workers, projected to reach 11.1 million by 2030, up from 10.2 million in 2022. In response, Member States adopted a resolution urging increased investment in health worker education, job creation, and retention, as well as improved working conditions and the use of digital technologies and AI to support the health workforce.
- J1 visa pause for IMG Physicians in the US
The U.S. Department of State issued an order to temporarily pause all student visa processing to allow for enhanced vetting of applicants’ social media activity. This decision has serious implications for the U.S. healthcare system. Approximately 16,000 physicians currently work in the U.S. on J-1 visas.
- Saffron Shows Promise for Treating SSRI-Related Sexual Dysfunction
Preliminary research presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting suggests that saffron, a spice derived from the Crocus sativus flower, may alleviate sexual dysfunction associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The review, led by Dr. Jeremy Wolfe of Chicago Medical School, analyzed five Iranian studies conducted between 2009 and 2017, finding that saffron reduced erectile dysfunction in men and enhanced arousal in women. Given the limited treatment options for SSRI-induced sexual side effects, saffron could offer a natural alternative for affected patients.
- Seasonal Patterns Influence Bipolar Disorder Characteristics and Treatment Response
New research presented at the American Psychiatric Association’s 2025 Annual Meeting reveals that seasonal patterns in bipolar disorder (BD) are linked to distinct clinical features and treatment outcomes. Analyzing data from over 1,700 patients, the study found that individuals experiencing fall-winter depression exhibited reduced responsiveness to lithium and other mood stabilizers, while those with spring-summer hypomania showed different treatment responses. Additionally, seasonality correlated with earlier onset of BD, higher rates of BD type 1, and increased use of psychotropic medications. These findings underscore the importance of considering specific seasonal patterns in the diagnosis and management of BD.
- Pet Dogs Aid in Advancing Lymphoma Treatment
Pet dogs are playing a crucial role in lymphoma research through comparative oncology, a collaborative effort between veterinarians and cancer researchers. A 2018 clinical trial involving nine dogs with various cancers tested an immunotherapy derived from the vesicular stomatitis virus. Notably, two boxer dogs with T-cell lymphoma experienced temporary remission after a single infusion. These findings contributed to FDA approval for human trials targeting T-cell lymphoma. Dogs naturally develop cancers similar to humans, making them valuable models for studying disease progression and treatment responses. Ongoing studies focus on genetic mutations, treatment side effects, and environmental factors, with initiatives like the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study collecting extensive health data to further understand lymphoma.
- Waist-to-Height Ratio at Age 10 Predicts Future Heart Risk
A Danish study presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2025 reveals that children with increasing waist-to-height ratios (WtHR) from birth to age 10 show early signs of cardiometabolic risk, including elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance. Researchers suggest WtHR is a more accurate predictor than BMI for assessing central obesity and related health risks in children. Monitoring WtHR in routine pediatric care could aid in early identification and intervention to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.
- AI-Powered Chest X-Rays Enhance Early Lung Cancer Detection
In a landmark achievement, AstraZeneca and Qure.ai have completed 5 million AI-enabled chest X-rays (CXRs) across more than 20 countries, including regions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. This initiative, aligned with the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance 1 Billion Lives Challenge, aims to improve early lung cancer detection, particularly in resource-limited settings. Utilizing Qure.ai’s qXR® technology, the program analyzed routine chest X-rays to identify high-risk lung nodules. Nearly 50,000 individuals were flagged for further diagnostic testing, such as low-dose CT scans, facilitating earlier and more accurate diagnoses.The AI system demonstrated a 17% improvement in sensitivity compared to traditional radiologist readings, making it a cost-effective triaging tool in areas with limited access to advanced imaging facilities.
