An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
Biography | Disclosures & Summaries
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FROM NEJM — Recent Infectious Disease Articles- Ensitrelvir for Covid-19 Postexposure Prophylaxis in Household Contacts May 14, 2026In a trial, the 3C-like protease inhibitor ensitrelvir was more effective than placebo in preventing Covid-19 in household contacts of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Cerebral Syphilitic Gumma May 14, 2026A 50-year-old man presented to the ED with a 1-month history of headache and worsening weakness of the left arm and leg. Brain MRI showed an enhancing lesion with extensive surrounding edema.
- Getting Serious about Tickborne Diseases — Shifting Research Priorities May 13, 2026Research on Lyme disease has emphasized clinical disease and pathogen microbiology rather than the root cause: the infected tick vectors in the environment, which remain uncontrolled.
- Human Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N5) Virus May 7, 2026Avian influenza can jump species from birds to humans, a fact that arouses concern for serious illness and broader human transmission. In this report, avian influenza A(H5N5) was shown to cause severe human illness.
- Reducing Bacterial Contamination of Blood Bags with a Double Knot May 7, 2026In a study involving 180 blood bags, use of a double-knot closure rather than the usual single knot prevented bacterial contamination. This strategy may reduce the risk of blood-product contamination in resource-limited settings.
- Ensitrelvir for Covid-19 Postexposure Prophylaxis in Household Contacts May 14, 2026