One shot may be enough for early syphilis; first FDA-approved islet transplant is a success; what really works in depression care? – Morning Medical Update

One shot may be enough for early syphilis

A single injection of benzathine penicillin G treated early syphilis just as effectively as the standard three-dose regimen, according to a late-stage National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Among 249 participants, 76% of those given one dose showed a successful treatment response at six months, compared with 70% of those receiving three doses — a difference that was not statistically significant. Researchers say the simplified regimen could reduce barriers to care, especially amid ongoing shortages of the antibiotic, as syphilis cases continue to climb in the U.S.

First FDA-approved islet transplant

UI Health surgeons have performed the nation’s first islet cell transplant with Lantidra, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy for brittle type 1 diabetes. The 69-year-old patient, diagnosed at age 5, was able to stop taking insulin injections just a week after receiving donor-derived islet cells infused into his liver. Unlike pancreas transplants, the minimally invasive procedure carries fewer risks and allowed him to return home within 24 hours. Researchers say the advance, developed through decades of work at the University of Illinois Chicago, could transform care for the 80,000 Americans living with brittle diabetes.

What really works in depression care?

A meta-analysis of more than 20,000 patients across 35 trials has found that the strongest ingredient in collaborative care for depression in primary care isn’t just coordination — it’s structured therapy and support. Published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study shows that manual-based psychotherapy and involving family or friends made the biggest difference in patient outcomes, while other elements like monitoring and integrated support added smaller benefits. The findings suggest health systems may see the greatest payoff by putting psychotherapy and social support at the center of collaborative care models.