Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
A new theoretical framework shows that when interactions shift away from familiar contacts, activity can spread more widely. The study suggests that whether something spreads or stalls may hinge on a simple choice: revisit the same connections or explore new ones.
A research team at the University of Basel has uncovered how a key protein switches on the machinery that enables Leptospira pathogens to survive and cause disease. By understanding this process, scientists may design drugs that keep the pathogen from becoming virulent, preventing severe cases and reducing mortality.
The Targeting Phage Therapy 2026 Congress will bring together experts to address clinical, regulatory, industrial, and hospital infrastructure requirements for phage therapy. The congress aims to move phage therapy from promising science to accessible, validated, and deployable medicine.
A new study found that influenza D viruses can vigorously replicate in human cells and lung tissue samples, suggesting a strong potential to spill over to humans. Researchers also detected antibodies against Influenza D in people who work with cattle, but no active human infection has been discovered to date.
The study reveals that hair follicles contain specialized sentinel cells that monitor environmental exposure and microbial presence, potentially linking immune detection to sensory signaling. The discovery may have implications for understanding skin infections, immune disorders, and topical therapeutics.
Researchers found that antibiotics disrupt gut microbiota, suppressing protective immune system pathways and increasing severity of A. baumannii pneumonia. The study highlights the gut-lung connection as a potential therapeutic target for hospital-acquired lung infections.
A new study from the University of Lausanne identifies a specific subset of fibroblasts that produce Ccl19, an 'attractant signal' for cytotoxic T lymphocytes, bringing them into contact with type 1 dendritic cells. This mechanism is essential for proper immune cell organization and function.
A new study found that Washington's hepatitis C elimination initiative increased testing and treatment access, leading to reduced total care costs. Per-patient costs declined by over 45% as more people received treatment, suggesting a cost-effective approach to screening and treatment of healthy individuals.
A study found that HAART led to a resurgence of syphilis in the US, with increases concentrated among men. The availability of HIV treatments improved survival but also changed sexual behavior and public health effects.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
Researchers have developed a new tool called Microbial Interaction and Niche Determination (MIND) that accurately predicts how microbes compete within complex communities. By analyzing nutrient preferences and energy allocation, MIND helps beneficial organisms outcompete dangerous pathogens. This approach has the potential to accelerat...
A major multi-country study found that WHO-recommended first-line antibiotics for neonatal sepsis are effective in only one quarter of infections in low- and middle-income countries. High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed, making it challenging to identify consistently effective empirical antibiotic regimens.
Primary care-based discussions on reproductive goals, immunizations, and risk-reducing interventions optimize pregnancy outcomes. Prepregnancy counseling reduces maternal morbidity and mortality, while also promoting healthy fetal development.
A landmark trial presented at ESCMID Global 2026 finds that improving oral hygiene for hospital patients reduces the risk of non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) by 60%. The study, involving over 8,000 patients, shows a substantial improvement in oral care practices among hospital patients.
A newly-developed AI-powered tool, CAMPER, helps identify peptides that target antibiotic-resistant bacteria by breaking down their outer defenses. The study found that CAMPER is effective in developing treatments against MRSA and other difficult-to-treat pathogens.
A new ultrasensitive test reveals evidence of previously undetected tuberculosis in Boston Hospital patients, with a striking link to life-threatening sickle cell disease complications. The study found that most TB DNA-positive patients were age 50 or older and tested negative on standard TB infection tests.
Dr. James Earnest's research focuses on how the immune system responds to mosquito-borne viruses, aiming to create better preventative measures for dengue and Zika infections. He is collaborating with institutions in Mexico and Uganda to study immune responses over time, shedding light on effective memory B cells and antibodies.
The Lancet Countdown Europe report presents a total of 43 indicators on the connections between health and climate change in Europe. The report warns that fossil-fuel driven climate change constitutes a growing threat to the health of people in Europe.
A new study found that influenza was detected in 11% of winter deaths, but only 17% had a confirmed diagnosis before death. The study highlights the gap between detection and official mortality records, suggesting influenza may play a larger role in winter mortality than routine surveillance captures.
Researchers found that waterfowl in human-heavy landscapes move shorter distances, potentially leading to more intense disease outbreaks. By understanding these patterns, scientists can better predict where bird flu may spread next.
A retrospective study of 40 immunocompromised ICU patients found associations between low CD4+T-cell counts and specific lung pathogens. Patients with severe CD4 depletion had higher proportions of fungal infections, while moderate immunosuppression was linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Researchers found that influenza vaccination reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke by half for those who got infected, even if they didn't get vaccinated beforehand. The study's findings suggest prioritizing influenza vaccination among high-risk populations could have significant public health impact.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a fast method to measure the effectiveness of plasma-based air disinfection, which can deactivate up to 99.9% of virus particles. The approach harnesses UV fluorescence to track changes in aerosol infectivity in real-time, providing essential information for public health guidelines.
A study published in BMC Public Health found an association between antibiotic use and maternal mental health during pregnancy. Researchers analyzed data from over 94,000 pregnant women and discovered a stepwise pattern of psychological distress linked to increasing antibiotic exposure. The findings suggest that avoiding unnecessary an...
Sudeshni Naidoo, a renowned researcher and specialist in dental public health, has been awarded the IADR Distinguished Scientist John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award. Her work focuses on infectious diseases, bioethics, nutrition, and noncommunicable diseases, among other areas.
Among highly boosted patients with cancer, overall postacute sequelae risk was not elevated compared to noninfected patients; hospitalized COVID-19 patients remained at increased risk despite therapeutics. Vaccination and boosting remain important in mitigating long COVID among immunocompromised patients
Researchers identified the key to preventing hospitalizations during nursing home flu outbreaks: administering antiviral chemoprophylaxis within two days of an outbreak to at least 70% of residents. This approach reduces hospitalization rates by 21%, according to a study led by Brown University.
Researchers evaluated the performance of the Phoenix Sepsis Score for predicting in-hospital mortality among pediatric ICU patients in China. They found that a modified version, PSS+, showed substantially improved discrimination without sacrificing clinical usability.
A meta-analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonist studies found potential safety signals for gastrointestinal side effects, while some evidence suggested a link to reduced respiratory disease risk. Further research is needed to confirm the latter association.
A study reveals dermcidin, a human body natural molecule, exhibits antiviral activity against the influenza virus. Higher baseline levels of dermcidin in individuals who don't develop flu-like symptoms may be associated with lower susceptibility to infection.
Research shows that targeted interventions highlighting personal impact on others can alter behavior among partisans. Both Republican and Democratic voters reduced risk-taking when presented with a simple message asking to choose the safer option for themselves and others.
A multicenter study found that red blood cell exchange transfusion significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with severe babesiosis, a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection. The procedure was associated with substantially lower risk of in-hospital death or readmission.
A novel method testing directly from urine can tell doctors which antibiotic will work in an average of 5.85 hours, reducing the risk of resistance developing and potentially lethal sepsis. The test agrees with reference methods in 96.95% of cases for seven first-line antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a protein that allows the African trypanosome parasite to evade detection by destroying specific parts of its genetic instructions. This breakthrough provides new vulnerabilities for future treatments and could revolutionize our understanding of infection.
Globally, meningitis resulted in over 259,000 deaths and 2.5 million infections in 2023, according to a comprehensive study. The disease disproportionately affects low-income countries, particularly in Africa, where air pollution, premature birth, and low birthweight are major risk factors for death.
Researchers developed an AI tool called PathogenFinder2 that can detect harmful bacteria before they infect humans. The tool uses protein language models and has been shown to significantly improve the detection of bacterial threats.
A single-cell study reveals how immune memory cells are molecularly programmed to respond faster when encountering a familiar threat. The study found that memory CD4⁺ T cells have their DNA primed to activate key defense genes within hours, providing a head start in responding to known pathogens.
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that Anopheles darlingi mosquitoes are evolving to evade insecticides, threatening malaria control efforts in South America. The study sequenced complete genomes of over 1,000 mosquitoes across six countries and identified resistance-related genes.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 virus genetic evolution was constrained within limited channels despite rapid changes. The research found that the virus altered by combining pre-existing mutations, rather than expanding its genetic routes.
A study in Catalonia uses genomic sequencing to analyze TB bacterial strains, identifying the most frequent lineage and clusters of specific subtypes. The analysis provides insights into disease spread and may help identify outbreaks.
A new study suggests that autoantibodies from Long COVID patients can induce persistent pain-like symptoms in mice, providing evidence for a potential causal role of autoantibodies in the condition. The research also highlights distinct biological subgroups and offers hope for targeted antibody-based therapies.
A Finnish registry study found that severe infections, such as cystitis and bacterial disease, are associated with an increased risk of dementia. The study examined nationwide health registry data and identified 29 diseases linked to dementia risk, including mental disorders, Parkinson's disease, and alcohol-related mental disorders.
Scientists have found evidence that glyphosate, a widely used weedkiller, can select for drug-resistant bacteria that can thrive in agricultural areas and then spread to hospitals. The study revealed that bacterial strains from hospital infections with extreme drug resistance showed high resistance to glyphosate and its byproducts.
A new study estimates that more than 18,000 hospitalized children in the US have sepsis each year, including over 1,800 who die. The study also found that most pediatric sepsis cases were present on admission, but a smaller proportion developed during hospitalization and were associated with higher mortality.
A new study found that over 155,000 US deaths between March 2020 and December 2021 were not officially recorded as COVID-19 deaths, highlighting critical gaps in the death investigation system. These unrecognized deaths disproportionately affected certain populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2026 childhood vaccine schedule, which is based on evidence and better reflects current disease epidemiology. The ACP's Immunization Committee found the AAP recommendations to be more evidence-based than the CDC's recommendations, particularly i...
A study in ferrets demonstrates that immunity to two proteins on the surface of the influenza virus can reduce transmission and viral evolution. Targeting both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins can effectively curb the spread of the virus, with transmission rates dropping by half in animals with immunity to both.
Researchers at Penn State found that Ebola outbreaks are influenced by environmental and human factors, including weather patterns, vegetation health, and human movement. A strong positive correlation was found between the total length of roads and rivers in outbreak locations and the number of Ebola cases reported early in each outbreak.
A free webinar, part of the Sustainable Microbiology Policy Spotlight journal webinar series, explores how microbiologists can effectively influence policy in the UK. The webinar, featuring senior policymakers and parliamentary affairs professionals, will take place on April 1, 2026, and will be recorded for retrospective viewing.
A study found that babies who develop severe E. coli infections lack sufficient germ-fighting antibodies, which mothers transfer to their babies. The research suggests that these antibodies protect against infection, and developing a screening test to identify high-risk newborns could prevent severe illnesses.
A recent study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals a concerning trend of ticks carrying multiple pathogens in the US Northeast. More than 1 in 10 nymphal ticks tested positive for at least two disease-causing pathogens, with co-infection rates approaching 11% for Lyme disease and babesiosis. This increase in co-infection...
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
A new study warns that reduced international funding for tuberculosis services could lead to significant economic hardship for 40 million households globally, with the poorest households bearing the greatest burden. The study estimates that complete elimination of external funding for TB could cost families up to $80 billion annually.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed DoriVac, a DNA nanotechnology-enabled vaccine platform that induces broad immunity against infectious viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. The platform produces potent antigen-specific immune responses and is more stable and easier to manufacture than traditional vaccine platforms.
A new study discovered that a multifaceted infection prevention and control intervention successfully disrupted a large and long-running bacterial outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Zambian neonatal intensive care unit. The study found that low-cost measures, including IPC training, enhanced cleaning, and hand hygiene, reduced neon...
Researchers developed an antibody test for Mpox that accurately identifies those with infection and vaccine-derived antibodies, helping authorities prioritize vaccine use and study disease transmission. The test, validated in Rwanda, uses only four key antibody signatures to ensure affordability and accessibility.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health found that herpes simplex virus uses protein ICP4 to make human cell nuclei more fluid-like, allowing for faster replication. This makes the nucleus easier for the virus to copy itself and increases production rate of new viral copies
A review of 900 scientific articles identified several biological markers associated with cognitive decline in viral infections, including activated monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, certain markers like anti-inflammatory cytokines are linked to better preservation of cognitive abilities.
A comprehensive review synthesizes the science behind vagus nerve modulation therapies, which use controlled signals to influence brain circuits and inflammation. The authors identify key mechanisms and propose next-generation treatments tailored to individual patients and conditions.
App Applied Microbiology International will host a free webinar on 'Gender Equality and Water' to mark World Water Day 2026. The event aims to centred women and girls in water solutions, recognizing their voices, leadership and agency as critical enablers of gender equality.