New papers on Infectious disease
99 new papers on infectious disease in the last 7 days, within Medicine & health. These are the 50 Pipette rates most worth reading, with the main result in the authors' own words.
The best of the week
Impact of mass oral cholera vaccination in an endemic area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a surveillance-based counterfactual modeling analysis
FindingsWe estimate that the 2020 mass vaccination averted 56% (95% Credible Interval: 34-81) of infections and deaths over the subsequent three years.
PreprintClaims a big stepReal-world useImpact of mass oral cholera vaccination in an endemic area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a surveillance-based counterfactual modeling analysis
FindingsWe estimate that the 2020 mass vaccination averted 56% (95% Credible Interval: 34-81) of infections and deaths over the subsequent three years.
PreprintReal-world useTransmembrane delivery of antimicrobial peptides by engineered eCIS into macrophages for intracellular mycobacteria elimination
In summary, this work represents a pioneering application of engineered PVC-based intracellular delivery of biomacromolecules into macrophages, providing a novel therapeutic strategy against mycobacterial infection.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useThe anthropogenic fingerprint on emerging infectious diseases
We show that outbreak risks are typically highest in mosaic landscapes where people and livestock live alongside forests and fragmented ecosystems.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useA causal link between autoantibodies and neurological symptoms in long COVID
Passive transfer of IgG from individuals with LC into mice induced fatigue-like behavior, loss of balance/coordination, thermal hyperalgesia, small fiber nerve damage, and increased pain-related neuronal activity, recapitulating patients symptoms.
Preprint with a published versionReal-world useFragmented criticality of infectious disease epidemics
Here we show that epidemic criticality can itself be fragmented across population structure.
PreprintReal-world useCandida in the lower respiratory tract induces barrier disruption in mice and predicts poor outcomes in mechanically ventilated humans
These findings establish that LRT Calb causes direct air-blood barrier disruption through hyphal morphogenesis and amplifies bacterial lung injury, challenging the prevailing view of Candida as an innocent respiratory bystander.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAirway epithelia clear rhinovirus infection via two waves of cell extrusion
Here, we demonstrate that human bronchial epithelium retains this ancestral capacity, autonomously clearing rhinovirus (RV) within 24 hours by selectively extruding infected cells, a process that we term virus-induced cell extrusion (VICE).
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyRIPK3 acts as a molecular switch between neuroprotection and neuropathology during herpes simplex encephalitis
Using single-cell transcriptomics, genetic knockout models, and analysis of viral replication, interferon production, and cell death across neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and myeloid cells, we show that RIPK3 acts as a cell-type-specific molecular switch.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useNo evidence for a classic transmission-duration tradeoff in human malaria infections
However, faster PMRs extend time until recovery and enhance parasite fitness without a consistent cost of increased virulence, challenging the generality of a transmission-duration tradeoff.
PreprintHost-pathogen pyrimidine metabolism drives cystic fibrosis lung disease
Together, these findings define pyrimidine metabolism as a shared host-pathogen axis driving epithelial restructuring and bacterial persistence in the CF lung.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useOropouche virus disrupts neurodevelopment and exhibits congenital infection potential
Bannerman et al. demonstrate that OROV causes severe neurodevelopmental pathology in human brain models and has the potential for congenital infection in murine models.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useClimate-driven host ecology as a framework for zoonotic disease risk: Understanding transferability across arenavirus systems
These results illustrate how mechanistic frameworks grounded in reservoir host ecology can yield transferable insights into zoonotic risk, with potential application across other climate-sensitive host–pathogen systems.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useEstimation of stratified seroprevalence directly from raw serological assay measurements with multi-level Bayesian mixture modelling
We developed a Bayesian statistical model that replaces the sequential steps of the typical pipeline by multiple levels within a single hierarchical model, treating each samples antibody level as a model parameter rather than directly observed data.
PreprintReal-world useCode availableEstimation of stratified seroprevalence directly from raw serological assay measurements with multi-level Bayesian mixture modelling
We developed a Bayesian statistical model that replaces the sequential steps of the typical pipeline by multiple levels within a single hierarchical model, treating each samples antibody level as a model parameter rather than directly observed data.
PreprintReal-world useCode availableRisk stratification for MDR/RR-TB: a comprehensive integrated patient-level analysis from TB programs and contemporary clinical trials
By analyzing a large international database (N = 7,750), we identified patient risk phenotypes linked to unfavorable outcomes.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useSickMix: Temporal Changes in Social Contact Patterns among People with Acute Infection and Their Close Contacts
These findings show that behavioral responses during acute infection could substantially influence transmission dynamics and intervention evaluation, and provide an empirical framework for incorporating illness-associated behavioral change into infectious disease models.
PreprintReal-world useEvidence for patterns of colonization risk in the nationwide hospitalized patient network in France
This nationwide framework shows how patient mobility and ward co-location patterns can reveal patterns of hospital-associated colonization risk and could support pathogen-specific surveillance and intervention evaluation.
PreprintReal-world useGlobal immuno-epidemiology and the persistence of mpox clade IIb in MSM
We find that mpox persistence was enabled by epidemic asynchrony: When transmission declined in Europe/the Americas, mpox transmission continued in Asia, long enough for immune waning to partially restore transmission potential in Europe, thereby enabling subsequent re-importation and endemic circulation.
PreprintReal-world useMicrobiome Profiling Reveals Prognostic Heterogeneity in Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Staphylococcus dominance identifies a high-risk phenotype with elevated bacterial burden, dysregulated host responses, and increased mortality, challenging the assumption that culture positivity represents a uniform clinical entity.
PreprintReal-world useUNIVERSAL EPIDEMIC SCALING: INFLUENZA AND COVID-19
This study introduces a reduced macroscopic framework that changes the scale of epidemic description from individual-level transmission structure to effective population-level dynamics.
PreprintReal-world useA within-host-informed event-time framework linking epidemiological delay distributions
Here, we develop a stochastic event-time framework built around a dynamic within-host pathogen-growth model that treats epidemiological delays as coupled outcomes of a shared biological process.
PreprintMicrobiome Profiling Reveals Prognostic Heterogeneity in Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Staphylococcus dominance identifies a high-risk phenotype with elevated bacterial burden, dysregulated host responses, and increased mortality, challenging the assumption that culture positivity represents a uniform clinical entity.
PreprintReal-world useA novel rapid host cell entry pathway determines the intracellular fate of Staphylococcus aureus
We show that these alternative infection outcomes are caused by the mode of bacterial uptake.
Peer-reviewed journalCompound climate extremes, socioeconomic conditions and human mobility influence dengue dynamics heterogeneously across Vietnam
Stratifying climatic and socioeconomic effects by subregion improved predictive skill at lead times of 1 to 6 months over unstratified and baseline models, with substantial spatial variation.
PreprintReal-world useDosing and delivery of bacteriophage therapy in a murine wound infection model
Here, we show that sustained hydrogel-based delivery is a practical and effective approach for topical phage application.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useImpact of climate and acquired immunity on malaria burden in Senegal and The Gambia: an agent-based modeling study
Results show that the averaging approach misallocates burden across age, underestimating clinical prevalence in children, especially so in the wettest high-transmission regions, and overestimating adult asymptomatic reservoirs, with implications for transmission-targeting interventions.
PreprintReal-world useSpatial clustering of undervaccination amplifies local measles transmission but limits geographic spread: South Carolina, 2025-2026
Simulated regional introductions confirmed that outbreaks arose only near connected clusters of undervaccination, while well-vaccinated areas remained contained.
PreprintReal-world useMicrobiome signature in wastewater is predictive of COVID-19 case rates
Here, we used the wastewater bacterial microbiome to predict community cases weeks ahead of when cases were reported with accuracy matching current standard techniques.
PreprintBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useSpatiotemporal dynamics and environmental drivers of listeriosis hospitalizations in Spain (2016-2024): A One Health perspective
ConclusionsZoonotic risk is environmentally conditioned, with weather acting as a biological trigger.
PreprintReal-world useMicrobiome signature in wastewater is predictive of COVID-19 case rates
Here, we used the wastewater bacterial microbiome to predict community cases weeks ahead of when cases were reported with accuracy matching current standard techniques.
PreprintBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useThe public health value of wastewater surveillance for viruses with pandemic potential: a modelling study
Simulations showed that WS improved probability or speed of outbreak detection for viruses shedding >1/100 to >10 times as much as SARS-CoV-2, depending on probability of clinical symptoms and diagnosis.
PreprintReal-world useExperimental model of VZV reactivation reveals vaccine-induced mechanisms of protection against herpes zoster
Persistence of circulating RZV-induced CD4+ and CD8+ CTL and rapid migration to sites of VZV replication are potential mechanisms underlying durable protection against HZ.
PreprintReal-world useWastewater metagenomic sequencing enables broad pathogen and resistome monitoring in Lagos, Nigeria
Together, these results establish a regional baseline of pathogen diversity and demonstrate the utility of virus-enriched sequencing for integrated wastewater surveillance.
PreprintReal-world useExtended dosing intervals enhance the durability of a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against pandemic H5N1 influenza: a randomized, observer-blind, dose-finding Phase I study
An 8-week interval yielded higher magnitude and greater durability than a 4-week schedule, with neutralizing and anti-NA antibodies remaining significantly elevated 6–7 months post-second dose.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world usePredicting parental Human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy: development and internal validation of machine learning models
What this study addsWe developed and internally validated logistic regression, random forest and XGBoost models for predicting parental HPV vaccine hesitancy, with all three showing comparable discrimination (AUC-ROC 0.841-0.870) and logistic regression achieving the lowest Brier score and highest sensitivity and F1-score.
PreprintReal-world useRethinking seasonal COVID-19 vaccination in the endemic era: summer timing, eligibility, and frequency in the United States
Conclusions and Relevance: Although annual COVID-19 vaccination has historically been timed for winter transmission, summer vaccination may avert more hospitalizations if coverage is maintained, especially in states with predominantly summer transmission including Western and Southern states.
PreprintReal-world usePredicting parental Human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy: development and internal validation of machine learning models
What this study addsWe developed and internally validated logistic regression, random forest and XGBoost models for predicting parental HPV vaccine hesitancy, with all three showing comparable discrimination (AUC-ROC 0.841-0.870) and logistic regression achieving the lowest Brier score and highest sensitivity and F1-score.
PreprintReal-world useAntibodies targeting phage fiber and nozzle proteins impair Acinetobacter baumannii phage therapy by blocking infection and promoting immune clearance
Collectively, this study elucidates that nozzle- and fiber-elicited neutralizing antibodies impair phage therapy via dual synergistic mechanisms, which offers novel insights into the multifaceted modulation of phage-specific antibodies against phage therapeutic efficacy.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useMulti-component chlorination intervention to reduce neonatal infections in healthcare facilities in western Kenya (CLEAN Trial): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
DiscussionThis study will generate evidence on the effectiveness of a novel chlorination intervention to reduce healthcare associated infections, including antibiotic resistant infections, and improve maternal and neonatal survival.
PreprintReal-world useSystemic and Mucosal Antibody Responses Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) Outer Membrane Vesicle Antigens following Four-Component Meningococcal Serogroup B (4CMenB) Immunization in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Phase II Trial
This phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial shows that a two-dose series of 4CMenB vaccine induces both systemic and mucosal IgG responses to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, suggesting a potential role in gonorrhea prevention.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useEnvironmental Drivers and Spatial Patterns of Lassa Fever Cases in Nigeria: A GIS-Based Approach to Dynamic Susceptibility Mapping
These findings demonstrate the potential of integrating epidemiological surveillance and environmental GIS layers to characterize spatial and temporal patterns of Lassa fever and provide a foundation for more dynamic susceptibility mapping and environmental risk assessment in Nigeria.
PreprintReal-world useChildhood and adolescent immunisation intentions post-COVID-19 in Lusaka, Zambia
ConclusionsWhile routine childhood vaccine uptake remained high, acceptance of COVID-19 and future novel vaccines for children was lower and was influenced by caregivers own vaccination status.
PreprintReal-world useEasy to readImmunogenicity and vaccine effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people on immunosuppressive therapies
However, we found that for any given antibody level, people who are immunosuppressed had lower protection against infection and hospitalization than a healthy population.
PreprintReal-world useHigh-throughput phenotypic profiling of insecticide responses in mosquito larvae
Here, we establish a pair of assays for profiling motility and development traits in larval-stage mosquitoes at a higher scale than standard larvicidal screening techniques.
PreprintReal-world useNipah vaccine and monoclonal antibody introduction: Understanding endemic and at-risk country perspectives to inform demand forecasting
This study provides new insights into country-level perspectives on NiV and medical countermeasures and quantifies expected demand across three outbreak scenarios and 10 countries.
PreprintReal-world useGeographic Distributions of Top Beef Salmonella Serovars in the U.S.
Our work demonstrates that certain Salmonella serovars commonly associated with beef show regional trends that can be predicted.
PreprintReal-world usePre-illness Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential is Associated with Increased Morbidity and Mortality in Sepsis
ConclusionsPre-illness CHIP was independently associated with increased mortality and morbidity in critically-ill adults with sepsis.
PreprintReal-world useComparative Burden of COVID-19 in Adults with Rheumatic Diseases and Immunocompetent Individuals: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Quebec, Canada, 2020-2023
ConclusionIndividuals with SARDs, especially receiving highly immunosuppressive therapies, experienced elevated COVID-19 burden and severe outcome risks throughout the pandemic, warranting their prioritized consideration during future public health emergencies.
PreprintReal-world useGenetic Relationships of Third-Generation Cephem Resistant Escherichia coli in Humans, Dogs and Cattle using a Novel Clonotyping Assay
We found that the overlap measured by the correlation in abundance of shared clonotypes of resistant E. coli among hosts revealed statistically greater similarity between dogs and humans than between cattle and humans.
PreprintReal-world use