Despite antibiotic treatment, pulmonary lesions are a serious concern in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). Combination therapy with antibiotics and glucocorticoids is effective. However, the optimal dose of glucocorticoids remains unclear. In a randomized controlled trial, researchers compared low- versus high-dose of methylprednisolone and find the lower-dose being equally effective with fewer adverse reactions. These results strongly recommend the use of low-dose corticosteroid in pediatric severe MPP for efficacy and favourable safety profile.

A recent study published in National Science Review has developed a field wastewater pathogen detection technology named WATER NEWS. Through iterative optimization of CRISPR-based assays, this system ​eliminates​ all dependence on cold-chain storage and continuous power supply while preventing nucleic acid aerosol contamination, ​thus establishing​ a sustainable epidemic surveillance paradigm for the post-pandemic era.