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Can AI find drugs to fight infection?

Researchers used AI to screen a drug library for Streptococcus pneumoniae, identifying 11 compounds with antibacterial properties. Nine of these compounds inhibited the growth of the bacteria, including one that showed efficacy against drug-resistant strains.

SourceWiley·JournalAdvanced Science·DateSep 16, 2026

New study urges clinicians to address sex-based disparities in pneumonia management

A new study highlights biological sex-driven disparities in pneumonia management, including underrepresentation in diagnostic tests and antibiotic underexposure for women. The study advocates for tailoring antimicrobial therapy more precisely and integrating sex- and gender-aware research protocols to reduce inequities.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateSep 1, 2026

National study led by Lurie Children’s finds physical exams alone may not reliably diagnose pneumonia in children

A national study led by Lurie Children's Hospital finds that doctors may not always agree on common signs of pneumonia, such as crackles and decreased breath sounds, when examining the same child. The study suggests that a physical exam alone may not be enough to confidently diagnose pneumonia in children, highlighting the need for bet...

Children with severe pneumonia can leave hospital sooner after switching to oral antibiotics, landmark trial shows

A landmark trial shows that children hospitalised with severe pneumonia can recover just as well from injectable to oral antibiotics, even with shorter treatment durations. This simple change could help millions of children worldwide get back to their families sooner and reduce pressure on busy hospitals.

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 23, 2026

Discovery of severe pneumonia subtypes could lead to tailored treatments for life-threating disease

Severe pneumonia has been found to have three distinct biological subtypes, which differ in immune response and lung damage. These subtypes are linked to varying patient outcomes, with some recovering quickly and others remaining critically ill. The discovery could lead to personalized treatments for patients with severe pneumonia.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJun 23, 2026

ICU pneumonia has mortality rates ranging from 37% to nearly 60% in middle-income countries. In high-income countries, rates range from 16% to 26%

A review of nearly 50,000 patients found significantly higher mortality rates for community-acquired pneumonia in intensive care units of middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. The study highlights major inequalities in outcomes and underscores the need for improved healthcare access and quality.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 26, 2026

Shorter antibiotic courses show similar outcomes to longer use for some pneumonia patients

For eligible patients with community-acquired pneumonia, shorter treatment durations may be as safe and effective as traditional longer regimens. The study found no meaningful differences in mortality, readmissions, or C. difficile infections among patients who received three to four days of antibiotics.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateApr 13, 2026

Serum interleukin-8 for differentiating invasive pulmonary aspergillosis from bacterial pneumonia in patients with HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure

A study found that serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels can differentiate invasive pulmonary aspergillosis from bacterial pneumonia in patients with HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in IPA patients compared to non-infection controls.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateJan 28, 2026

Efficacy and safety of ceftazidime-avibactam versus standard antibiotic therapy for resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that ceftazidime-avibactam is more effective than standard antibiotic therapy in managing drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. The treatment also showed a lower rate of adverse reactions and mortality. The results suggest that ceftazidime-avibactam is a more favorable choice for c...

SourceNational Center for Respiratory Medicine·JournalJournal of Thoracic Disease·DateDec 28, 2025

Remote ventilate view platform for real-time monitoring of patient-ventilator asynchrony

The study demonstrates a significant association between the overall asynchrony index (OAI) and patient outcomes in COVID-19-associated severe pneumonia. Patients with a high asynchrony burden had significantly higher intensive care unit mortality and fewer ventilator-free days, highlighting the importance of PVA monitoring.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2025

Increased risk of severe bacterial infection after high teenage BMI

A new study from the University of Gothenburg has found that high teenage BMI and poor physical fitness are associated with a higher risk of developing severe bacterial infections in adulthood. The study, which followed over 44,000 men for three decades, shows that even at high normal weight, individuals are already at increased risk.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 9, 2025

Researchers identify bacterial enzyme that can cause fatal heart conditions with pneumonia infections

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified a bacterial enzyme called zmpB that can cause fatal heart complications in people infected with pneumonia. The enzyme potentiates the invasion of Streptococcus pneumoniae into the heart, leading to damage and potentially life-threatening outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2025

Corticosteroid use does not appear to increase infectious complications in non-COVID-19 pneumonia

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that adjunct corticosteroids probably reduce short-term mortality in cases of severe pneumonia and ARDS, but have little effect on hospital-acquired infections. The evidence suggests that there is no increased risk of infectious complications with corticosteroid use for non-COVID-19 pneumonia.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateDec 1, 2025

Research redefines pneumonia and sepsis care — and exposes urgent gaps in Ireland’s critical care capacity

Two landmark international studies published in The Lancet and Nature Medicine expose the need for faster recognition, better diagnostics, and personalized treatment pathways to combat pneumonia and sepsis. Irish ICUs face a shortage of beds, with implications for delayed care and increased mortality.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2025

Study demonstrates a substantial burden of potentially preventable hospitalizations for pneumococcal pneumonias among adults in Tennessee and Georgia

A recent study found a substantial burden of potentially preventable hospitalizations for pneumococcal pneumonias among adults in Tennessee and Georgia. The study used a novel serotype-specific urinary test to identify infections caused by 30 different Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 6, 2025

How PM2.5 wrecks your airways and how the damage might be reversed

Exposure to PM2.5 air pollutants impairs mucociliary clearance, a key protective mechanism in the respiratory tract, leading to severe airway damage and respiratory diseases. Researchers have identified the enzyme ALDH1A1 as a potential therapeutic target to reverse this damage and strengthen our respiratory defenses.

SourceImmunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) - Osaka University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2025

Study finds pneumonia computerized clinical decision support reduces mortality disparities in patients facing economic hardships

Researchers at Intermountain Health found that using ePneumonia, a computerized clinical decision support tool, reduced mortality rates among patients with pneumonia, particularly those experiencing socioeconomic hardship. The study also showed that this technology helped overcome unconscious biases in treatment decisions.

SourceIntermountain Healthcare·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2025

Models predict severity of pneumonia in kids to help guide treatment

Researchers developed pragmatic models that accurately distinguish between mild, moderate and severe pneumonia in children based on evidence from 73 EDs across 14 countries. The new predictive tools are intended to complement clinician judgement in deciding whether a child’s pneumonia warrants hospitalization or intensive care.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateMay 14, 2025

Pediatric investigation study releases updated guidelines for pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

The Chinese Medical Association has released updated guidelines for pediatric mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, emphasizing a multi-faceted diagnostic approach and evidence-based treatment strategies. The guidelines highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and responsible antibiotic use to combat rising resistance.

SourcePediatric Investigation·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 19, 2025

Legionnaires’ disease from a lake swim

Swimming in lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella bacteria, causing pneumonia. Risk factors include age over 50, smoking history, and compromised immune systems. Clinicians should suspect legionnaires' disease in patients with severe pneumonia and recent travel history.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCase study·DateFeb 18, 2025

Warding off superbugs with a pinch of turmeric

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a low-cost technology using curcumin to curb bacterial resistance. The study shows that photodynamic inactivation can trigger deleterious reactions within bacteria, killing them and reducing the number of antibiotic-resistant strains.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 6, 2025

Exposure to air pollution associated with more hospital admissions for lower respiratory infections

Research found that long-term exposure to air pollutants like PM2.5, NO2, and ozone increases hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections in adults, particularly among men and people over 65. The study used a large cohort of adults from Catalonia and found stronger associations in these vulnerable groups.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 3, 2025

Antibiotics initiated for suspected community-acquired pneumonia even when chest radiography results are negative

A study of 259 adult patients found that many general practitioners prescribe antibiotics despite negative chest X-rays, highlighting a gap between guidelines and practice. The study aimed to explore the relationship between chest radiography results and antibiotic initiation in community-acquired pneumonia management.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 25, 2024

Zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter lung infection: study

A new study found that zinc deficiency promotes lung infection by Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria, which is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Blocking IL-13 prevented infection-associated death in an animal model, suggesting anti-IL-13 antibodies may protect against bacterial pneumonia in patients with zinc deficiency.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2024

Researchers develop approach to accurately predict pneumonia outcomes

A team of researchers from Northwestern University has developed a novel machine-learning approach to accurately predict pneumonia outcomes by analyzing electronic health records. The study identifies five distinct clinical states in pneumonia, three of which are strongly associated with disease outcomes and two that can help physician...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2024