Autoimmune disorders exhibit intricate pathology. Their mechanisms are complex, which attenuates the need for novel therapeutic interventions. Frexalimab, a potent monoclonal antibody targeting the dysregulated CD40-CD40L pathway, stands out as a formidable weapon against the assault of inflammation and tissue devastation. Diverse electronic databases were searched using relevant keywords to extract data on the role of Frexalimab in combating various autoimmune diseases. This review highlights Frexalimab’s efficacy in improving various disability indicators of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), alleviating fatigue in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSJS), and improving glycemic control in diabetic patients. Across multiple trials, its favorable safety profile has proven its superiority over first-generation drugs in minimizing side effects. Indeed, Frexalimab has become a harbinger of hope in the fight against autoimmune diseases and has pioneered a unique and unchallenging way for tackling complex autoimmune diseases in the clinical realm, however, further large-scale trials are needed to establish its therapeutic benefits across different autoimmune conditions.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, with heart failure (HF) significantly contributing to this burden. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular conditions, including HF. This narrative review examines the relationship between CRP levels and the risk of incident HF in patients with pre-existing CVD. By synthesizing findings from prospective cohort studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses, we aim to assess the potential role of CRP as a predictive biomarker for HF onset. Inflammation is a critical component in HF pathophysiology, contributing to myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and endothelial dysfunction. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) assays allow for the detection of low-grade inflammation, offering improved risk stratification for cardiovascular events. Studies indicate that elevated hs-CRP levels correlate with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and HF development. However, CRP’s specificity as a marker remains a challenge due to its association with various systemic inflammatory conditions. Recent research has explored CRP’s role in HF subtypes, particularly HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Despite growing evidence linking CRP to HF, gaps remain in understanding its mechanistic role, optimal clinical thresholds, and therapeutic implications. Future research should focus on mechanistic studies elucidating CRP’s direct impact on myocardial dysfunction, subgroup-specific analyses, and interventional trials targeting CRP-driven inflammation. Addressing these gaps could significantly improve HF prevention and management by leveraging CRP as a viable prognostic and therapeutic target.

Background: Malnutrition, a public health problem in a low-income country such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), is a major killer among children under 5 who are most at risk of acute malnutrition. This study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years old. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study on children under 5 with acute malnutrition from April 2022 to April 2023. A total of 287 malnourished children were consulted, hospitalized in a rural hospital, and registered for participation in this study. Results: Two hundred eighty-seven (25%) children were victims of acute malnutrition. The age group between 13 and 24 months is the most affected by acute malnutrition with 30%. The male-to-female(M/F) sex ratio was 1.17. Kwashiorkor is the most common form of acute malnutrition with 171 (59.6%) cases. Abdominal bloating, weight loss as well as diarrhea and vomiting were the more frequent clinical signs. Shock is the most complication of acute malnutrition. Therapeutic milk (Food 75 and Food 100) was the most effective in management. Twenty-nine (10.1%) other children died from acute malnutrition and 258 (89.9%) children progressed to full recovery. Conclusion: Acute malnutrition in children remains a public health problem worldwide and particularly in low-income countries such as DR Congo. It is associated with multiple physiological vulnerabilities and has many short- and long-term complications in children who have suffered from it.

Heart failure (HF) and diabetes mellitus frequently co-occur, with an incidence of HF among diabetics ranging from 9% to 22%. Clinical research underscores that shared pathophysiological pathways link these conditions, driving advancements in therapeutic strategies that target neuro-hormonal modulation and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition. The SOLOIST-WHF and SCORED trials highlighted the efficacy of sotagliflozin, a dual sodium-glucose co-transporters 1/2 (SGLT1/2) inhibitor, in patients with HF and chronic kidney disease (CKD), demonstrating reductions in cardiovascular mortality and HF-related hospitalizations. Trials with other SGLT2 inhibitors, like dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, in HF, diabetes, and renal disease also showed significant reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and improved kidney function. Furthermore, SGLT2 inhibitors have shown neuroprotective effects, potentially benefiting patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Dual SGLT1/2 inhibitors, by targeting glucose transport in the renal and intestinal systems, not only reduce blood glucose but also improve insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and cardiovascular health. Sotagliflozin specifically impacts postprandial glucose absorption, mitigating the risks of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia-related complications. In diabetic CKD, SGLT inhibitors promote renal protection by reducing glucose reabsorption, diuresis, and systemic inflammation. Neuroprotective effects of these agents, including reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, show promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases. While adverse effects like hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis remain concerns, tailored dosing, and monitoring strategies may mitigate these risks. Thus, SGLT inhibitors, especially dual inhibitors like sotagliflozin, offer broad therapeutic benefits in diabetes, HF, CKD, and potentially neurological conditions.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has long been a major public health concern for Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). First identified in DR Congo in 1976, the country has witnessed more than 25 outbreaks of this deadly disease, which has a case fatality rate of nearly 90% and manifesting with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomachache and haemorrhagic fever. African fruit bats have been speculated to be the reservoir of this virus. DR Congo is currently facing another EVD outbreak simultaneously with other communicable diseases, rendering it vulnerable to a shortage of medical and paramedical staff along with distrust among remote communities towards local authorities due to armed conflict and political instability. Moreover, lack of ring vaccinations and inefficient surveillance of suspected individuals are some other significant hurdles in disease control. Despite the availability of rVSV-ZEBOV/Erbevo vaccine and many antibody-based vaccines, challenges including politicization, low access to remote communities, and illiteracy have limited their effectiveness. Recently, the Congolese govt. has put in efforts such as building local capacities at the health zone level, outbreak control intervention, community engagement and social mobilization to counter the rising EVD cases. Four successive Strategic Response Plans have been implemented to increase resource mobilization by DR Congo and her partners. The Spread of zoonotics such as EVD can be confronted by implementing the One Health approach, which involves medical staff, veterinarians and public health officials.