L'Emir Wassim El Ayoubi, Caren Challita, Souha S Kanj
{"title":"The many faces of brucellosis: diagnostic and management approach.","authors":"L'Emir Wassim El Ayoubi, Caren Challita, Souha S Kanj","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001045","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review aims to highlight the multifaceted nature of brucellosis, emphasizing the latest advancements in its diagnosis and management. Given the global prevalence and potential complications of brucellosis, understanding recent advancements in diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies is crucial for clinicians.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent literature reveals significant progress in diagnostic methods, including the application of fluorescence polarization immunoassay and time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer technologies as well as the invention of artificial Brucella antigens, which offer enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Advances in molecular diagnostics and serological tests have improved early detection rates, however their interpretation remains challenging. Evolving treatment regimens such as the use of hydroxychloroquine as part of triple therapy and the use of nano-delivery systems in therapies have shown promise, in hopes of reducing relapse rates and managing chronic cases.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The findings underscore the necessity for clinicians to adopt a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing brucellosis. Integrating advanced diagnostic tools with tailored therapeutic strategies can significantly improve patient outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing these diagnostic techniques and exploring novel therapeutic agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"474-484"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141855100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matteo Bassetti, Antonio Vena, Barbara Larosa, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe
{"title":"New antibiotics in clinical pipeline for treating infections caused by metallo-β-lactamases producing Gram-negative bacteria.","authors":"Matteo Bassetti, Antonio Vena, Barbara Larosa, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001056","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001056","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To discuss novel antibiotics under clinical development, focusing on agents showing in-vitro activity against metallo-β-lactamases (MBL)-producing carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Currently, only a few approved agents show activity, alone or in synergistic combinations, against MBL-producing CR-GNB. If approved by regulatory agencies in case of favorable results from ongoing (and, for some agents, already completed) phase-3 studies, some novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combinations could become available in the next few years as additional important options for treating MBL-producing CR-GNB infections. Additional interesting agents that belong both to BL/BLI combinations and to antibiotic classes other than BL and BL/BLI combinations have also shown activity against MBL-producing CR-GNB, with most of them being in early phases of clinical development.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Improving the use of these novel agents through virtuous antimicrobial stewardship frameworks able to guarantee both the efficacious treatment of infections requiring their use and the avoidance of their use whenever not necessary remains a challenge of utmost importance that should not be overlooked.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"582-588"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11556884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141893069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Malaria in pregnancy: baby steps.","authors":"Stephen J Rogerson, Elizabeth H Aitken","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001037","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Malaria threatens pregnant women and their babies, particularly in Africa.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>This century, the number of women at risk of malaria in pregnancy has decreased globally, apart from in Africa, where it has increased. Low and sub microscopic infections are increasingly documented but remain hard to diagnose with current point-of-care tests, and their contribution to morbidity and transmission are unclear. Artemether-lumefantrine has been endorsed for treatment in first trimester, but many women attend antenatal clinics later in pregnancy, and reaching high-risk young, first-time mothers is particularly difficult. Small-for-gestational-age babies frequently result from malaria, which affects the placenta's development and its functions such as nutrient transport. Resistance to continues to increase to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, the mainstay of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy. The alternative, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine controls malaria better, but does not improve pregnancy outcomes, suggesting that sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine may have nonmalarial effects including improving gut function or reducing dangerous inflammation. Understanding of how the malaria parasite uses the VAR2CSA protein to bind to its placental receptor is increasing, informing the search for a vaccine to prevent pregnancy malaria.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Progress in several areas increases optimism that improved prevention and control of malaria in pregnancy is possible, but obstacles remain.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"320-326"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141626263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Respiratory viral infections in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia and children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.","authors":"Juan P Torres, María E Santolaya","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001049","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The scope of this review is to understand the epidemiology and potential role of respiratory viral infections in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia, as well as in children, undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Early detection of respiratory viral infections through molecular diagnostic techniques has allowed recent randomized clinical studies to advance the possibility of more rational use of antimicrobials in this susceptible population.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Progress has been made in the early detection of respiratory viruses in episodes of fever and neutropenia in children with cancer. In selected patients who meet specific clinical safety criteria and have negative bacterial cultures, it has been possible to safely and effectively discontinue antimicrobials. This has been validated in recent randomized clinical studies. However, more evidence is still needed for a similar indication in children, undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with viral respiratory infection episodes.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Understanding the role of respiratory viral infections in populations of immunocompromised children may contribute to a more rational use of antimicrobials and, in the near future, may help to decrease antimicrobial resistance in this susceptible population.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"407-412"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141893071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Harnessing artificial intelligence microscopy to improve diagnostics for soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis: a review of recent advances and future pathways.","authors":"Peter Ward, Bruno Levecke, Sitara Ajjampur","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001048","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This opinion piece aims to explore the transformative potential of integrating artificial intelligence with digital microscopy to enhance diagnostics for soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SCH), two pervasive neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). By aligning innovative artificial intelligence-driven solutions with WHO's strategic objectives and calls for better, more accessible, and more integrated diagnostics, we highlight the latest advancements that may support improved health outcomes in affected communities.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The review covers recent advancements in artificial intelligence-based diagnostic technologies, emphasizing automated egg detection and quantification. These technologies promise to mitigate challenges such as human error and the need for skilled technicians.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The findings have significant implications for public health, ethical considerations and regulatory pathways, particularly in resource-limited settings. The authors advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and a strategic focus on meeting WHO target product profiles to ensure uptake, ultimately to support reaching WHO NTD targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"376-384"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141901208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immune responses and severe dengue: what have we learned?","authors":"Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige, Graham S Ogg","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001040","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>With the marked rise in dengue globally, developing well tolerated and effective vaccines and therapeutics is becoming more important. Here we discuss the recent developments in the understanding of immune mechanisms that lead to severe dengue and the learnings from the past, that can help us to find therapeutic targets, prognostic markers, and vaccines to prevent development of severe disease.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The extent and duration of viraemia often appears to be associated with clinical disease severity but with some variability. However, there also appear to be significant differences in the kinetics of viraemia and nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigenemia and pathogenicity between different serotypes and genotypes of the DENV. These differences may have significant implications for development of treatments and in inducing robust immunity through dengue vaccines. Although generally higher levels of neutralizing antibodies are thought to protect against infection and severe disease, there have been exceptions and the specificity, breadth and functionality of the antibody responses are likely to be important.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Although there have been many advances in our understanding of dengue pathogenesis, viral and host factors associated with occurrence of severe dengue, vascular leak and the immune correlates of protection remain poorly understood.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"349-356"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141855097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina M Coyle, Javier A Bustos, Hector H Garcia
{"title":"Current challenges in neurocysticercosis: recent data and where we are heading.","authors":"Christina M Coyle, Javier A Bustos, Hector H Garcia","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001036","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is still a significant contributor to neurological disease in vast regions of the world, and increasingly diagnosed in nonendemic countries because of travel and immigration from endemic settings. There is a need for clinicians in endemic and nonendemic regions to understand the complexities of its diagnosis and management.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent information on the performance and use of available imaging and immunodiagnostic tools as well as antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic regimes were assessed.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Imaging and serology data should be assessed in the context of the specific type of NCC to improve diagnostic precision. In terms of therapeutic approaches, more controlled data is required on the efficacy and safety of combined antiparasitic therapy, and antiseizure and anti-inflammatory regimes should be optimized to minimize perilesional damage and reduce the risk of epilepsy.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"313-319"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141874435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"H5 and H9 avian influenza - potential re-emergent zoonotic threats to humans.","authors":"Gavin Dabrera","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001019","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review aims to discuss the current state of human infections with Avian Influenza A (H5) and (H9) viruses, to support awareness of the global epidemiology among clinicians and public health professionals interested in emerging respiratory infections.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Among increasing numbers of detections in avian species of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b globally, reported human cases of severe infection have been rare.Enhanced surveillance of persons exposed to avian species infected with Influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b in different countries has identified small numbers of asymptomatic individuals with Avian Influenza A (H5N1) detected by PCR from the upper respiratory tract; some of these instances have been considered to represent contamination rather than infection.There have also been recent sporadic human cases of Avian Influenza A(H9N2) internationally, including in China and Cambodia.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Human infections with Avian Influenza A(H5) and (H9) viruses remain of interest as an emerging infection both to clinicians and public health professionals. While maintaining effective surveillance is essential, one health strategies to control infection in avian species will be key to mitigating these risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"431-435"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141554346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection among preterm infants.","authors":"Karen M Puopolo","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001047","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Although there are multiple benefits of mother's own milk feeding for very-low birth weight, low gestation infants, those born to cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive mothers are at risk for acquiring postnatal CMV infection. This review will describe the risk and consequences of postnatal CMV infection among very preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Postnatal CMV may manifest as clinically silent infection or as mild to severe and occasionally fatal disease. The risk of disease is balanced by the health benefits of human milk feeding to preterm infants. Postnatal CMV infection has been associated with increased risks of multiple preterm morbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis and neurodevelopmental impairment, but current evidence is limited by the selection bias inherent to reporting in case series and retrospective cohort studies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Knowledge gaps exist regarding the risk-benefit balance of pasteurization to inactivate CMV in fresh breast milk, as well as the optimal dosing, duration and efficacy of treating infected infants with antiviral medications. Multicenter, prospective studies are urgently needed to accurately determine the true burden that postnatal CMV infection presents to very preterm infants. Such studies will inform the need for preventive strategies and treatment guidance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"425-430"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141893070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Babesiosis in immunosuppressed hosts: pathogenesis, diagnosis and management.","authors":"Howard M Heller","doi":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001038","DOIUrl":"10.1097/QCO.0000000000001038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review provides the most recent evidence of the challenges that occur in the management of babesiosis in immunocompromised hosts.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The epidemiology of babesiosis is affected by climate change leading to increasing numbers of cases as well as increasing areas of endemicity. Immunosuppressed hosts, especially with asplenia or B-cell defects, are at high risk of having severe disease as well as persistent and relapsed infection. Resistance to the primary therapies azithromycin and atovaquone can develop leading to further challenges in treating persistent or relapsed disease in the immunocompromised host.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Babesiosis is likely to become a more frequent infectious complication in immunosuppressed hosts as the areas of endemicity expand. Reduced efficacy of standard therapies is likely to continue emerging so more effort needs to be placed on methods of assessing resistance in vitro and developing more reliable treatments for resistant infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":10880,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases","volume":" ","pages":"327-332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141897031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}