Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Antibiotic resistance genes have been found in newborns within hours of birth, according to new research presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

Antiretroviral therapy has been found to reduce accelerated biological ageing in people with HIV by nearly 4 years in a landmark study presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

Cerebral malaria and severe malarial anaemia are tied to long-term cognitive impairment in children under five, according to new research presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

Maternal RSV vaccination cuts infant hospitalisation risk by over 80%, according to a new major UKHSA study presented at ESCMID Global 2026.

Influenza is frequently missed in winter deaths, a new Spanish study presented at ESCMID Global 2026 has found.

Wildlife trade increases pathogen sharing with humans, with each decade in trade linked to one additional zoonotic pathogen per species.

A phase 3 trial of two tuberculosis vaccines shows limited overall protection but meaningful efficacy against extrapulmonary disease in selected groups.

Approximately 3 million adults aged 80 and over and care home residents are set to get the RSV vaccine on the NHS, it announced on 2nd April 2026.

New antibiotics have not reduced mortality in drug-resistant infections, with treatment delays and mismatched therapy still driving poor outcomes.

New research defines RSV viral shedding timelines, showing a short infectious window and key immune responses to guide prevention.

Ending CDC-funded HIV testing could raise infections by 10%, with rural areas most affected, highlighting the key role of early diagnosis.

Metagenomic analysis reveals Treponema and microbial dysbiosis in children with noma, a poorly understood, devastating childhood disease.

Fluvoxamine may reduce long COVID fatigue and boost quality of life, while metformin shows no benefit in adults with persistent post-COVID symptoms.

A new AI platform offers free drug discovery tools to global health researchers, aiming to speed up treatments for malaria, tuberculosis, and more.

London measles outbreak prompts calls for stronger vaccination efforts, with low uptake and inequalities driving rising case numbers.

Study finds higher antimicrobial resistance genes in lung disease patients, with antibiotic use linked to increased resistance in airway microbiomes.

Italian health authorities have been alerted of the first human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) in the EU, identified in the Lombardy Region.

WHO recommends new tuberculosis testing tools, including near point-of-care tests, tongue swabs, and sputum pooling to improve diagnosis and access.

Tens of thousands of people remain undiagnosed while Europe’s multidrug-resistant tuberculosis rates are up to seven times the global average.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported that the general population in the EU is at very low risk of invasive meningococcal disease.

Persistent taste dysfunction in long COVID may stem from molecular changes rather than structural damage, offering new insight into lingering symptoms.

Study shows zoonotic viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can transmit between humans without prior adaptation, unlike lab-passaged viruses.

Study finds gut microbiota composition may be linked to future cardiometabolic disease and cardiovascular events in a large multi-ethnic cohort.

South Africa is exploring local production of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention drug, to improve regional access and strengthen supply chains.

Global AMR governance has improved, but antimicrobial resistance remains high, highlighting gaps in policy implementation and surveillance.

Scientists have discovered a protein, Aurora-related kinase 1, that is “indispensable” for malaria parasite survival.

Machine learning reveals unique COVID vaccine immune signatures in people living with HIV, with differences in antibodies, cytokines, and T cell responses.

The world’s first dengue fever early warning system has been launched by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

The WHO has announced updated influenza vaccine strains for the 2026–27 northern hemisphere season, reflecting evolving flu virus patterns worldwide.

New research shows why coronavirus infection may lead to long COVID, with long-term effects on the lungs and brain, unlike influenza.

Novel gut health metric identifies microbial imbalance and may help detect disease progression earlier and more accurately.

Scientists have discovered a bacterium in Romanian cave ice that resists antibiotics used to treat infections including tuberculosis, colitis, and UTIs.

Study dissects HIV reservoir clones that persist on ART, revealing how CD8+ T cells and resistance pathways could be harnessed for future cure strategies.

Researchers uncover three antimicrobial peptides in dromedary camels that show potent activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

A renewed norovirus surge is pushing hospital cases to their highest level this winter, adding strain to the NHS as winter pressures persist.

A single-dose multicomponent mRNA vaccine elicits durable immune responses against influenza and COVID-19 in a Phase 1/2 trial.

WHO prequalification of an additional novel oral polio vaccine boosts global outbreak response, accelerating polio eradication efforts.

Releasing male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia cut wild mosquito numbers in Singapore and lowered dengue infection risk.

New study reveals how influenza virus infiltrates heart tissue via specialised immune cells, triggering damaging interferon responses.

A global study shows obesity heightens the risk of severe infections and related deaths across multiple disease types and populations.

New algorithm maps hidden global and genetic diversity in vaginal microbiomes, offering precision tools for reproductive health research.

Major trial finds immediate or high-dose TB treatment does not lower overall mortality in HIV-related sepsis, except in confirmed TB cases.

Rising temperatures are increasing antimicrobial resistance deaths in the Western Pacific, highlighting urgent need for global coordinated action.

A novel HIV vaccine candidate induces neutralising antibodies after a single dose in primates, potentially accelerating HIV prevention strategies.

Drug-resistant infections such as MRSA are widespread among children in Oceania, with major gaps in access and approved treatments.

Two major trials show metformin taken during acute COVID-19 lowers long COVID risk, is safe, and could be added to outpatient treatment guidelines.

HPV vaccination rates among schoolchildren in England stay below pre-pandemic levels, with 1 in 4 still unprotected against key cancers.

Influenza D and canine coronavirus HuPn-2018 could fuel future respiratory epidemics amid diagnostic and surveillance gaps, experts warn.

New modelling study estimates major lifetime health and cost burden from frailty and falls in people with HIV in the USA, highlighting need for prevention.

How does repeat influenza vaccination affect antibody responses? Study finds early immune boosts may be smaller, but protection later remains similar.

Babies rapidly share gut microbes at nursery, with peer contact shaping the infant microbiome as strongly as family by the first year of life.

Amplicon-based sequencing may boost severe pneumonia diagnosis in ICU, particularly for fungal infections and immunosuppressed patients.

New sero-genomic research suggests hidden mpox exposure in healthy Nigerian adults, highlighting residual smallpox immunity and surveillance gaps.

Early gut microbiota changes may predict diabetes, recurrence, and mortality after acute pancreatitis, offering new tools for long-term risk assessment.

Universal infant nirsevimab prophylaxis significantly reduced RSV-related hospitalisations and outpatient visits across two seasons in Spain.

Rising pTau-181 after COVID-19 correlates with neurological post-acute sequelae, offering clinicians potential prognostic insight.

New guidelines update ART choices, endorse long-acting injectables, refine infant feeding advice, and prioritise shorter TB preventive regimens.

Expansion of antiretroviral therapy in Uganda sharply reduced orphanhood incidence, especially among adolescents, but substantial risk persists.

A recent perspective highlights challenges in translating human microbiome research into consistent clinical benefits and precision interventions.

Pooled trial data show gepotidacin provides early, meaningful symptom relief comparable to nitrofurantoin in uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

Children facing economic instability and poor social support in the USA have higher odds of long COVID, highlighting the role of social determinants in child health.

Delayed routine infant vaccinations strongly predict missed MMR doses by age 2, raising concern as post-pandemic declines coincide with rising measles cases in the USA.

Adult bacterial meningitis continues to carry high mortality and neurological complications, especially from Listeria, Streptococcus pyogenes, and pneumococcus.

New evidence shows human rhinovirus can directly infect the lower lungs and cause pneumonia in adults, challenging its reputation as a mild cold virus.

Ants produce diverse, targeted antimicrobial compounds that inhibit drug-resistant pathogens, including Candida auris, offering insights for new antibiotics.

A multi-omics study identifies causal genes and biological subtypes of Long COVID, revealing new therapeutic targets for personalised care.

Novel multistage malaria vaccine demonstrates over 50% efficacy following controlled human malaria infection, supporting further trials in children.

Baloxavir significantly reduces hospitalisations in influenza outpatients compared with oseltamivir, highlighting its value during flu season.

WHO’s review of studies from 2010–2025 confirms vaccines, including thiomersal-containing ones, are not associated with autism.

New Global Burden of Disease 2023 data show lower respiratory infections still cause 2.5 million deaths yearly, with children and older adults most affected.

A 3-year study in Israel shows pooled-saliva cCMV universal screening identifies hidden infections in newborns, enabling early treatment and improving outcomes.

The UKHSA has detected an inter-clade recombinant mpox virus in England; vaccines remain effective and risk to the public is low.

New intranasal BPZE1 vaccine is safe and reduces Bordetella pertussis colonisation, offering hope for whooping cough prevention.

A large study of 1,100 adults shows how nasal microbiome structure influences Staphylococcus aureus carriage.

The WHO World Malaria Report 2025 highlights gains in malaria control, ongoing challenges in Africa, and lifesaving interventions.

New test shows high sensitivity for tuberculosis, providing a faster, near-point-of-care option for early detection and prevention.

Novel mRNA peptibody therapy reduces bacterial load and inflammation in preclinical MDR pneumonia models, offering a new approach to antibiotic resistance.

A modelling study shows syphilis rapid-test algorithms differ widely in missed cases, overtreatment and cost, with optimal strategy varying by population.

New multicomponent programme reduces infection-related maternal deaths and severe illness in Malawi and Uganda by supporting early detection and treatment.

Sorfequiline, combined with pretomanid and linezolid, shows superior efficacy and safety in drug-sensitive TB, supporting its potential role in ultra-short treatment regimens.

The latest UKHSA winter surveillance bulletin shows flu activity rising unusually early, while COVID-19 remains low and RSV begins to increase.

Medicare data show RSV infection may trigger Guillain-Barré syndrome in older adults, although rare. Clinicians should remain vigilant in high-risk populations.

Antibiotic-resistant infections surge in the UK, with nearly 400 weekly cases reported in 2024 and rising deaths, UKHSA report reveals.

Early changes in the nasopharyngeal microbiome could signal fatal infections in infants, offering hope for precision diagnosis and care.

Only 18 asymptomatic H5N1 cases have been reported globally; most found via enhanced surveillance of high-risk contacts.

These findings highlight that lenacapavir and bNAbs can maintain high rates of virologic suppression while presenting a low risk of resistance.

Global Chagas disease cases decline, yet prevalence grows in non-endemic countries due to migration, new study shows.

Gut bacteria influence HIV reservoir size and activity differently across GI segments, offering insights for targeted cure strategies.

HCV incidence among people who inject drugs in Scotland has halved since 2015, bringing WHO elimination targets within reach.

A new two-dose Salmonella Paratyphi A vaccine offers 73% protection in adults and shows strong safety and immune responses, addressing a major public health need.

Study of 2,061 infants reveals RSV, HMPV, influenza, and viral co-infections significantly increase severe lower respiratory illness risk.

Children face over twice the risk of paediatric long COVID after SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, highlighting urgent needs for prevention.

A USA cohort study finds persistent olfactory dysfunction up to 2 years after COVID-19, even in people unaware of smell loss.

New study shows oral microbiome imbalance and reduced salivary hypotaurine may contribute to neuroinflammation in relapsing-remitting MS.

EACS 2025 study shows doxycycline prophylaxis reduced chlamydia and syphilis rates in Swiss men with HIV, with no effect against gonorrhoea.

EACS 2025 data show over half of HIV diagnoses among migrants in Switzerland occur post-migration, highlighting need for targeted testing and prevention.

EACS 2025 study shows minimal HBV reactivation after stopping tenofovir in people with HIV, supporting safe use of tenofovir-sparing ART.

New EACS data show once-weekly islatravir and lenacapavir maintain HIV viral suppression for 96 weeks with no resistance or major side effects.

A new near point-of-care malaria diagnostic detects low-density infections in 45 minutes, supporting malaria elimination efforts across Africa.

Trace-positive sputum identifies a high-risk group for tuberculosis in Uganda. Chest x-ray abnormalities further highlight patients needing early treatment or monitoring.

Cefiderocol shows comparable effectiveness to standard care in treating carbapenem-resistant bloodstream infections, offering hope against superbugs.

A new global analysis reveals chikungunya virus is responsible for millions of infections annually across all continents, with chronic disease accounting for most of the health burden.

A broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine could slow outbreaks, reduce deaths and give health systems critical time in future pandemics, new research suggests.

Researchers identify LRP8 as the essential receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus in brain cells, offering new targets for antiviral therapy.

A Mali cohort study shows preterm birth elevates malaria infection risk in children, particularly in multigravid mothers without pregnancy malaria, suggesting targeted prevention and vaccination strategies.

A phase 2 trial in Gabon showed that the PfSPZ malaria vaccine is safe in children aged 1–12 years but failed to prevent Plasmodium falciparum infection.

Immune profiles after COVID-19 vaccination predict booster need, with rapid-decliners at higher risk of breakthrough infection.

Rare genetic variants affecting antiviral, inflammatory, and autophagy pathways may explain severe neurological complications from chickenpox in children.

A landmark trial combining novel therapies has produced the first signs of durable post-treatment HIV control, pointing to a new frontier in functional cure research.

Prior dengue infection reshapes innate immunity, boosting vaccine efficacy. Vaccination alone fails to replicate these immune changes.

Global disparities in AMR governance show high-income countries with stronger plans, while low-income nations face weaker strategies and higher infection burdens.

A 3-month clofazimine- and rifapentine-containing regimen for drug-susceptible TB failed to improve cure rates and caused more severe adverse events than standard therapy, according to the Clo-Fast trial.

New UKHSA data show pre-school booster coverage has fallen to 81.4% in England, below herd immunity thresholds, leaving children vulnerable to outbreaks.

Discover how machine learning shows high accuracy for HIV prediction but needs better validation before use in STI clinical practice.

Three monoclonal antibodies targeting monkeypox A35 protein protect mice and improve outcomes, highlighting potential for new therapies.

A new study suggests that the common cold may boost children’s antiviral defences, lowering the risk and severity of COVID-19.

FMT and microbiome therapies significantly outperform antibiotics in recurrent C. difficile infection, with cure rates up to 91% and favourable long-term safety.

Respiratory viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can awaken dormant breast cancer cells, driving metastasis and raising mortality risk in cancer survivors, new research finds.

A Ugandan trial has found artemether-lumefantrine less effective than other ACTs, with malaria resistance mutations linked to delayed parasite clearance.

A Phase 1 USA trial finds novel oral polio vaccines nOPV1 and nOPV3 to be safe, highly immunogenic, and comparable to Sabin-strain vaccines, paving the way for Phase 2 studies.

Portable $2 test detects deadly infections from a drop of blood within 15 minutes, with unmatched sensitivity.

An AI-driven drug discovery platform has created new antibiotics with unique mechanisms against drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae and MRSA, showing success in preclinical models.

Researchers developed a novel vaginal synbiotic (VS-01) comprising three L. crispatus strains isolated from women with stable, optimal microbiomes.

A new study in Niger reveals a sharp rise in drug-resistant bacteria among hospitalised children treated for severe malnutrition, raising concerns about antibiotic overuse and AMR.

UK health officials urge parents to catch up on MMR vaccines as measles cases rise, warning of a possible surge when school resumes in September.

New research identifies HIV PrEP drugs and MCL-1 inhibitors as promising treatments for HTLV-1c, a neglected virus causing severe disease in Indigenous populations.

A European cohort study finds only 40% of patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis achieved successful treatment outcomes, with mortality and failure rates remaining high.

Taking doxycycline after condomless sex significantly reduced bacterial STIs in men who have sex with men and transgender women.

New data show that one dose of the HPV vaccine in girls aged 9–14 triggers strong, lasting immune responses, comparable to a full three-dose course in adult women.

Cord blood biomarkers may help detect early neonatal sepsis, improving diagnosis and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in preterm infants.

A major global study confirms that malaria resistance diminishes IPTp-SP’s antimalarial benefits but not its impact on low birthweight, prompting urgent calls for new preventive strategies.

WHO has endorsed injectable lenacapavir as a twice-yearly HIV prevention tool, offering new hope for communities facing high infection risks and adherence barriers.

Outbreak response vaccinations have prevented 5.81 million cases and saved USD 31 billion in LMICs since 2000.

Delpazolid and sutezolid show strong efficacy and reduced toxicity in Phase 2 TB trials, offering safer alternatives to linezolid for drug-resistant TB treatment.

A UKHSA survey finds strong vaccine confidence among UK parents, with 87% trusting vaccine effectiveness and satisfaction high in NHS delivery and communication.

French researchers report distinct fungal species in intravenous drug users with yeast fungaemia, suggesting the need for tailored care strategies.

Global vaccine coverage has improved since 1980 but stalled and declined during COVID-19, with millions of zero-dose children concentrated in a few countries, risking setbacks to immunisation goals.

Early trial data show that olorofim may offer a valuable new option for patients with resistant invasive fungal infections.

High ICU admission rates and atypical features marked France’s recent M. pneumoniae epidemic, especially in those without early macrolide therapy.

A German multicentre study shows MVA-BN vaccination is safe and moderately effective in preventing mpox, especially in HIV-negative individuals.

Delayed sputum conversion and poor outcomes are common in patients with bedaquiline-resistant TB, according to a new South African cohort study.

Europe faces a sharp rise in hepatitis A cases, with over 2,000 infections in 2025. Vulnerable groups are most affected as ECDC urges vaccination and sanitation efforts.

More than half of residents in European care homes experience at least one healthcare-associated infection each year, according to a major ECDC-led study.

Genetic data show that salicylic acid may alter gut microbiota and blood metabolites, raising questions about its long-term effects.

Azithromycin resistance in gonorrhoea has surged across Europe, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and new treatment options.

A simple forecasting tool for critical care demand has been updated to better reflect changing COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

New findings identify distinct symptom clusters in young children with long COVID that differ from those observed in older children and adults.

Early differences in newborn gut microbiota composition may influence risk of hospitalisation for viral lower respiratory tract infections in early childhood.

A groundbreaking approach using mRNA-lipid nanoparticle technology has shown the ability to force HIV out of its latent state, offering hope for future curative therapies.

Azithromycin mass drug administration may promote durable and transmissible resistance, including in populations not directly exposed.

The UKHSA has released its annual STI data, with continuing concern over rising syphilis and drug-resistant gonorrhoea.

Participants were randomised to receive either the WHO-recommended 24-week standard regimen or one of four novel 8-week regimens.

A new study from Southeast Europe reveals important insights into the prevalence and transmission patterns of four arboviruses.

New research reveals that the composition of the lower respiratory tract microbiota is closely linked to COVID-19 severity.

This is the first real-world evidence that expanded prophylactic antibiotic use can reduce community transmission of iGAS.

Preliminary surveillance data from Argentina’s national maternal RSV vaccination programme show a marked reduction in infant hospitalisations during the 2024 RSV season.

New data from a large paediatric cohort suggest that cell-based influenza vaccines provide improved protection over egg-based formulations.

A comparison of national RSV prevention strategies has shown that monoclonal antibody immunisation in Spain was vastly more effective than maternal vaccination in the UK.

UK scientists have detected traces of West Nile virus in mosquitoes for the first time, though experts stress that the risk to the public remains very low.

England is set to become the first country in the world to roll out a national vaccination programme against gonorrhoea, aiming to curb record-high infection rates and growing antibiotic resistance.

A new study provides strong evidence supporting the use of dolutegravir and TAF-emtricitabine for second-line antiretroviral therapy in children.

This dramatic decline highlights the success of interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, rotavirus vaccination, and improvements in water and sanitation.

Results showed that the wild-food diet led to significant alterations in the gut microbiome, exceeding changes seen in previous dietary interventions.

Argentina’s rollout of a maternal RSV immunisation programme shows strong protection against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and severe illness in infants.

A recent study confirms that an H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from a dairy farm worker can spread through the air between mammals.

A major treatment gap for life-threatening carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections has been revealed across eight low- and middle-income countries.

A new multiplex protein microarray has shown promise in accurately detecting a wide range of tick-borne infections in a single test run.

A single low dose of primaquine, when added to artemisinin-based combination therapy, is both effective and safe for reducing Plasmodium falciparum transmission.

A new report from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlights profound inequalities in infectious disease outcomes and hospital admissions across England.

Clinically, this discovery could reshape the understanding of immune regulation in ulcerative colitis.

Ceftazidime/avibactam, a key antimicrobial against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, has seen increasing use across England since its 2017 launch.

Discover a study where researchers administered appetite-related hormones leptin and ghrelin directly into the brain.

In this study, modelling predicts millions of cases of measle if vaccination rates continue to fall.

Shorter, all-oral bedaquiline-based regimens show 83% success in drug-resistant TB, cutting risk of death and failure.

A large-scale study has identified key predictors of Oropouche virus transmission risk across Latin America, providing insights into the 2023–24 outbreak.

The WHO has released its updated 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List, offering clinicians and researchers a more granular framework for guiding antimicrobial stewardship.

Invasive group A streptococcal infections in children have significantly increased in Ontario over recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

An AI-powered lung ultrasound tool has outperformed human experts in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis, offering a fast, accessible, and sputum-free solution.

A novel breath test that identifies bacterial infections may offer clinicians a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool, according to findings presented at ESCMID Global 2025.

More than 3 million children worldwide died from antimicrobial resistance-related infections in 2022, according to a landmark study presented at ESCMID Global 2025.

Adults diagnosed with RSV-associated acute respiratory infection face nearly triple the risk of death within 1 year compared to their peers.

A breakthrough study presented at ESCMID Global 2025 highlights IL-6 as a highly accurate early biomarker for sepsis in neonates, children, and pregnant women.

Early-life exposure to antibiotics may impair immune responses to routine infant vaccinations, according to new research.

Administering antibiotics more than 1 hour after emergency department presentation for suspected sepsis significantly increases the risk of 28-day in-hospital mortality.