March 2026
Trial finds 5% permethrin cream superior to oral ivermectin for scabies in children and adults
The issue: Scabies is a common skin infection caused by a parasitic mite. It is typically treated with topical medications, but the best treatment is uncertain.
Why this study matters: It compared topical permethrin to oral ivermectin for scabies in children and adults.
Primary care relevance: Supports permethrin as first-line treatment for scabies. Provides cure rates for permethrin and ivermectin.
February 2026
The vaccine had a significant effect but no meaningful overall benefit
The issue: Several RSV vaccines for adults have been developed in recent years and are heavily marketed to seniors, but data on their real-world effectiveness against hospitalization are limited.
Why this study matters: The DAN-RSV open-label trial randomized 131,276 adults 60 years and older to RSVpreF vaccine (Abrysvo®) or no vaccine; hospitalization for RSV-related respiratory tract disease occurred in 3 vs. 18 participants (vaccine effectiveness, 83.3%; P=0.007).
Primary care relevance: The study primarily showed that RSV does not appear to be a significant cause of respiratory illness in older adults; the NNT to prevent one RSV hospitalization was approximately 4400, indicating minimal individual benefit.
February 2026
ESCUDDO trial finds single-dose HPV vaccination noninferior to two doses
The issue: Current guidelines recommend two doses of Gardasil 9 for adolescents; whether one dose provides comparable protection has been uncertain.
Why this study matters: The ESCUDDO trial randomized girls 12 to 16 years to one or two doses of bivalent (Cervarix) or nonavalent (Gardasil 9) HPV vaccine; one dose was noninferior to two doses for preventing HPV16 or HPV18 infection.
Primary care relevance: Supports WHO single-dose recommendation; study has limitations including 5-year follow-up and nonrandomized control group requiring propensity matching.
February 2026
Recent studies show benefit in severe disease, but routine use remains unproven
The issue: Studies evaluating corticosteroids in CAP have produced mixed results; their role in routine practice is uncertain.
Why these studies matter: The SONIA trial showed reduced mortality with glucocorticoids in low-resource settings; the CAPE COD trial showed benefit in ICU patients.
Primary care relevance: The IDSA recommends against routine steroids in CAP; evidence supports use only in severely ill patients requiring ICU care.
January 2026
Zoliflodacin and gepotidacin offer oral alternatives to injectable ceftriaxone
The issue: Gonorrhea resistance to current therapies is increasing.
Primary care relevance: Providers now have two new oral antibiotics to treat gonorrhea, potentially improving treatment access and patient convenience.
January 2026
Retreatment reduces viral loads and symptoms by one day but shows no meaningful benefit on hospitalizations or deaths
The issue: Some patients experience COVID symptom rebound after completing Paxlovid; the safety and benefit of retreatment have not been studied.
Why this study matters: This study evaluated the safety and benefits of a second course of Paxlovid in patients with rebound COVID symptoms.
Primary care relevance: Provides guidance on whether to retreat COVID-19 patients experiencing rebound symptoms.
March 2025
Combined oral and topical therapy in male partners significantly reduces BV recurrence in females
The issue: Bacterial vaginosis recurrence is common; the role of partner treatment has been debated.
Why this study matters: Randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of treating male partners of women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
Primary care relevance: Provides evidence on the benefits of treating male partners of women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
May 2025
New antibiotic for uncomplicated female UTIs; also shows efficacy against gonorrhea
The issue: Resistance and limited oral options complicate treatment of uncomplicated UTIs and gonorrhea.
Primary care relevance: Providers have a new oral antibiotic for female UTIs; it may also be useful for gonorrhea in appropriate settings.
November 2024
Sulopenem plus probenecid (Orlynvah) approved for uncomplicated UTIs in women
The issue: Multidrug-resistant uropathogens and limited oral options make UTI treatment challenging.
Primary care relevance: A new oral option for UTIs; consider cost and resistance patterns when selecting therapy.
November 2024
Review of pneumococcal vaccines including efficacy in clinical trials
The issue: Pneumococcal vaccination is widely recommended, but the evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.
Primary care relevance: Review of pneumococcal vaccines and their efficacy in clinical trials.
