In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 435 adolescents and adults with meningitis in Vietnam, the use of adjunctive dexamethasone did not reduce the rate of death or disability at 6 months. In subgroup analyses, a benefit of treatment was seen in patients with confirmed bacterial meningitis, whereas harm was identified in those with probable bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This randomized, double-blind study in Malawi involving 465 patients with acute meningitis, 90% of whom were HIV-positive, showed no significant difference in morbidity or mortality among patients treated with intravenous versus intramuscular ceftriaxone or among those who did or did not receive corticosteroids.

This report describes the 18-month follow-up of the patient who underwent the first human face allograft after severe facial trauma. The patient has had return of sensation (to light touch and temperature) and motor function, with restoration of facial expression with emotion. She has had two rejection episodes, both of which were successfully reversed. The patient reports satisfaction with the outcome.

Cardiac-resynchronization therapy is beneficial in patients with heart failure and a prolonged QRS interval, but a new clinical trial showed that patients with heart failure and a normal QRS interval did not benefit. The results will direct this therapy, which is invasive and costly, to patients most likely to benefit from it.