Infectious Disease Reports最新文献

{"title":"HBV and the Microbiome-PubMed Database Literature Review.","authors":"Anna Marija Prince, Indra Zeltiņa, Aigars Reinis, Olga Valciņa, Angelika Krūmiņa","doi":"10.3390/idr18030038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18030038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a globally distributed infectious disease affecting the liver. This literature review aims to summarize all available relevant information on the PubMed database about HBV's connection to the microbiome and to consider possible treatment adjuncts.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Database used: PubMed. Keywords used: \"HBV\", \"Hepatitis B\", \"microbiome\". In the PubMed database, 179 research publications were identified using these keywords; 69 studies were excluded as they were irrelevant or retracted. Of the remaining, 110 were analyzed in this literature review, and four additional literature sources were used to supply background information and context. Information was summarized. The analysed studies in total included 14,814 participants (excluding animal studies), of whom 8564 were HBV-infected individuals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results characterizing abundance or decrease in specific bacterial, viral, and fungal species are heterogeneous; multiple studies support that the HBV patient oral and fecal microbiome is different from that in healthy controls (HCs) and varies throughout disease progression. The HBV seems to transform the microbiome negatively, leading to dysbiosis and decreased microbial diversity in most studies. Evidence links HBV microbiome changes with influence on HbeAg seroconversion, HBV-DNA load, metabolic pathways, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The research proposes that members of microbiota could potentially promote or protect against liver injury in HBV. Four studies proposed that the plasma virome in HBV patients was primarily composed of members of the <i>Anelloviridae</i>. One study researched a parasite (<i>Entamoeba gingivalis</i>) in HBV patients. Two studies analyzed HBV patients' fungal profiles.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Microbiota research, although promising, at the present moment is heterogeneous. HBV patients' microbiota is distinguishable from HCs, and multiple studies have tried to identify the HBV characteristic microbiome; however, more precise information is needed to draw conclusions. Fecal microbiota transplantation and probiotics have the potential to be therapy adjuncts for HBV patients, but more research is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13108186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influenza A(H3N2) Subclade K (J.2.4.1): Molecular Characterization, Antigenic Divergence, and Global Spread During the 2025/26 Season.","authors":"Francesco Branda, Nicola Petrosillo, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Fabio Scarpa, Marta Giovanetti, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.3390/idr18020037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Influenza A(H3N2) continues to evolve rapidly, frequently eroding population immunity and challenging seasonal vaccine strain selection. During the 2025/26 season, the A(H3N2) subclade K (J.2.4.1) expanded quickly across multiple regions and showed evidence of antigenic divergence in standard assays. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, we combined phylogenetic analyses of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) sequences with a systematic synthesis of recent peer-reviewed studies and official surveillance reports to comprehensively define the molecular profile and early epidemiological dynamics of subclade K. <b>Results:</b> Our phylogenetic reconstructions of HA and NA genes confirmed the emergence of a coherent and recently diversified lineage characterized by coordinated evolution of surface glycoproteins and broad geographic representation during 2025. Integration of molecular, temporal, and surveillance evidence further supported rapid expansion with limited early regional structuring. Antigenic analyses reported in peer-reviewed studies described reduced haemagglutination inhibition reactivity to vaccine reference antisera for many subclade K viruses, whereas vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates from multiple settings remained moderate. <b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, the available genetic, antigenic, and epidemiological evidence indicates that subclade K represents a recently diversified A(H3N2) lineage associated with rapid international spread during the 2025/26 season, highlighting the importance of integrated HA/NA genomic surveillance and timely antigenic characterization to support evidence-based vaccine strain selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116714/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends in Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions Issued in Croatian Primary Healthcare, 2015-2024.","authors":"Anamaria Jurčević, Jelena Dimnjaković, Rok Čivljak","doi":"10.3390/idr18020036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Outpatient antibiotic prescribing is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance, yet detailed long-term analyses of prescribing patterns in Croatia remain limited. This study aimed to analyze trends in outpatient antibiotic prescriptions issued in Croatian primary healthcare from 2015 to 2024, stratified by antibiotic class, substance, and the WHO AWaRe classification.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of nationwide data on antibiotic prescriptions issued in primary care outpatient settings was conducted using the data from the Central Health Information System of the Republic of Croatia. All prescriptions for ATC group J01 antibiotics issued between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2024 were included. The primary outcome was the annual number of issued outpatient antibiotic prescriptions, described overall and by substance. Annual counts were additionally expressed as a percentage of the 2015 baseline (index year = 100%) to enable the comparison across substances with different prescribing volumes. The prescriptions were classified according to the WHO AWaRe framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 31,048,414 outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were issued between 2015 and 2024. Overall prescribing declined by 5.6% from 2015 to 2019, followed by a marked decrease of 21.0% in 2020, and subsequently rebounded to 3,338,235 prescriptions by 2024, a number virtually identical to pre-pandemic levels. Co-amoxiclav and azithromycin together accounted for 49.5% of all prescriptions. By 2024, prescribing third-generation cephalosporins increased by 281.9% compared to the 2015 levels, while prescribing amoxicillin decreased by 43.6% over the same period. The proportion of Access antibiotics declined from 64.7% in 2015 to 57.9% in 2024.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The main challenge for antimicrobial stewardship in Croatia lies not only in overall prescribing volume but in prescribing composition. Targeted interventions are needed to reduce reliance on broad-spectrum agents and promote the use of narrower-spectrum first-line alternatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116669/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> and Co-Infections with <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> and <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> Among Japanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Hiroshige Mikamo, Yuka Yamagishi, Daisuke Sakanashi","doi":"10.3390/idr18020035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> is an emerging cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and is increasingly recognized for its association with cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease. However, prevalence data in specific Japanese subpopulations, particularly comparing pregnant and non-pregnant women, remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of <i>M. genitalium</i> and its co-infection rates with <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> and <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> among Japanese women. <b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study was conducted using vaginal swab specimens collected between April 2021 and November 2022 from patients visiting two clinics in Gifu, Japan. The study population comprised 2138 non-pregnant women presenting with urogenital symptoms or sexual contact history, and 236 pregnant women undergoing routine antenatal screening. Detection was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays on the cobas^® 8800 system (Roche Diagnostics). <b>Results</b>: Among non-pregnant women, the overall prevalence was 3.8% (82/2138) for <i>M. genitalium</i>, 3.4% (72/2138) for <i>C. trachomatis</i>, and 0.4% (9/2138) for <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i>. Co-infection rates were low; <i>M. genitalium</i> and <i>C. trachomatis</i> co-infection was observed in 0.2% of cases. Among pregnant women, the prevalence was 3.8% (9/236) for both <i>M. genitalium</i> and <i>C. trachomatis</i>, and 0.4% (1/236) for <i>N. gonorrhoeae</i>. No statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant women for any pathogen. <b>Conclusions</b>: The prevalence of <i>M. genitalium</i> in this Japanese cohort was comparable to that of <i>C. trachomatis</i> in both pregnant and non-pregnant women, highlighting its significance as a major STI pathogen. These findings underscore the importance of including <i>M. genitalium</i> in routine STI screening panels for symptomatic women and antenatal care to prevent reproductive health complications. Given the high rates of antimicrobial resistance documented in Japanese <i>M. genitalium</i> strains, specific diagnostic testing is essential to enable targeted, resistance-guided therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116678/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Newer Therapeutics to Selectively Kill <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> and Restore the Microbiome.","authors":"Guido Granata, Nicola Petrosillo","doi":"10.3390/idr18020034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The antibiotic ibezapolstat and the live biotherapeutic product live-JSLM are promising future approaches for treating <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection. Ibezapostat is a highly specific antibiotic for <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>, with minimal impact on the intestinal flora. Live-JSLM is designed to restore healthy intestinal microbiota, thus preventing recurrence of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection. In this narrative review, we reviewed available data on ibezapostat and live-JSLM, considering that they are prototypes of two distinct, unique mechanisms of action against <i>Clostridioides difficile</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data sources: PubMed and SCOPUS databases were searched from 1 January 2012 to 15 November 2025. Original articles reporting data on ibezapolstat and live-JSLM were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>31 studies were included. When compared to conventional anti-<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> antibiotics, ibezapolstat had a similar level of effectiveness and minimal impact on the gut microbiota. The available data confirm live-JSLM safety and efficacy in restoring the gut microbiota following the conclusion of the standard anti-<i>Clostridioides difficile</i> antibiotic regimen.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results on ibezapolstat efficacy are promising, but require confirmation in larger patient populations through double-blind, randomised phase III trials. In the near future, an integrated approach may enhance the management of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection: starting with highly specific antibiotics, i.e., ibezapolstat, followed by microbiome-based therapies such as live-JSLM.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in AIDS: The Diagnostic Role of PET Imaging.","authors":"Virginia Donini, Riccardo Paggi, Alberto Farese, Costanza Malcontenti, Enrico Tagliaferri, Claudio Caroselli, Spartaco Sani, Maria Matteini, Alessandro Bartoloni, Lorenzo Zammarchi","doi":"10.3390/idr18020033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The majority of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) cases is still represented by patients affected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Diagnosis of PML relies on histopathological findings or by the combination of clinical signs, radiological evidence, and molecular positivity of the JC virus in cerebrospinal fluid. However, AIDS status predisposes to various diseases involving the brain, testing the diagnostic ability of the clinician.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>We describe a PML case in a patient with AIDS, in whom lumbar puncture was initially impossible for severe thrombocytopenia and magnetic resonance showed an hyperintense lesion and was unable to distinguish between PML and lymphoma. In this case, [¹⁸F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET imaging showing a hypometabolism of the lesion helped to initially orient toward PML, as diagnosis was later confirmed by lumbar puncture. We collected 21 cases in the literature in which [¹⁸F]-FDG-PET was helpful in cases of PML.</p><p><strong>Discussion and conclusions: </strong>PET imaging is not considered a standard diagnostic tool for PML. However, in selected cases, it may provide valuable information to direct the diagnosis towards PML.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116376/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770346","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Brucella anthropi</i> Endocarditis: An Unusual Pathogen.","authors":"Fernando Baires, Erin Arias, María José Díaz, Cesar Burgos, Carlos A Umaña Mejia, Justice Cruz, Joanne Cordero Guerra, Helen Hoffman, Jack Bordovsky, Jana Radwanski, Miguel Sierra-Hoffman, Amy C Madril","doi":"10.3390/idr18020032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The genus <i>Brucella</i> has expanded considerably in the 21st century. With the advent of advanced phylogenetic analyses, a close genetic relationship between <i>Brucella</i> and <i>Ochrobactrum</i> has been identified, leading to reclassification of <i>Ochrobactrum</i> species within the genus <i>Brucella</i>. Among these, <i>Brucella anthropi</i> (formerly <i>Ochrobactrum anthropi</i>) is increasingly recognized as a rare cause of invasive human infection. We report a clinically significant case of <i>B. anthropi</i> infective endocarditis and review the available literature.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We report a case of <i>B. anthropi</i> infective endocarditis and conducted a narrative review of the English-language medical literature through 2025. Cases were analyzed for demographics, clinical presentation, antimicrobial susceptibility, and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A 75-year-old man with a prosthetic aortic valve and prior endocarditis presented with fever of unknown origin, weight loss, and prior transient ischemic attacks. Blood cultures grew <i>B. anthropi</i> after prolonged incubation. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated vegetations involving both the aortic and tricuspid valves, and the patient required targeted combination antimicrobial therapy due to persistent bacteremia. Seven additional cases of <i>B. anthropi</i> infective endocarditis were identified on review of the literature. Most patients had underlying valvular disease or prosthetic material. Reported lethality approached 25%. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were variable, underscoring the importance of targeted individualized therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Consistent with other Gram-negative bacilli, <i>B. anthropi</i> is a rare but established cause of acute bacterial endocarditis. Despite its rarity, it may represent an under-recognized cause of invasive disease. This case highlights the importance of prolonged culture incubation, careful microbiologic interpretation, and susceptibility-guided therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13115608/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic Management of Septic Venous Thrombosis: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Anabel Franco-Moreno, Ana Bustamante-Fermosel, Juan Torres-Macho, Belén Comeche-Fernández","doi":"10.3390/idr18020031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Septic venous thrombosis is an uncommon complication but clinically significant due to its high morbidity and mortality and the complexity of therapeutic decision-making. The lack of standardized guidelines and the scarcity of high-quality studies complicate clinical management, as most available evidence derives from highly heterogeneous case series and retrospective studies. In this context, a comprehensive overview is essential to guide real-world practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This manuscritp provides an in-depth review of the treatment of septic venous thrombosis at its most frequent sites, including the portal vein and its branches, the pelvic veins, catheter-associated events, the internal jugular vein, and dural venous sinus thrombosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across all scenarios, early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy is the cornerstone of treatment and must be tailored to the suspected source of infection and the patient's clinical course. In parallel, although the role of anticoagulation remains debated, several observational studies suggest potential benefits in terms of recanalization and complication prevention, particularly in selected patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>However, the decision to anticoagulate should be carefully individualized within a multidisciplinary framework. Despite the recent progress, many clinical uncertainties remain. Therefore, well-designed clinical trials are needed to define optimal therapeutic strategies for this condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13116947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Non-Typhoidal <i>Salmonella enterica</i> Bacteremia Complicated by Native Shoulder Septic Arthritis in a Patient with Sickle Cell Disease Following Foodborne Exposure: A Case Report and Literature Review.","authors":"Gabriel A Godart, Vidit Yadav, Joseph M Bestic, Bradley S Schoch, Bryan D Springer, Ravi V Durvasula, Sammer M Elwasila, Justin M Oring","doi":"10.3390/idr18020030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> (NTS) species are well-recognized causes of invasive infection in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), with a particular predilection for the musculoskeletal system. Although <i>Salmonella</i> osteomyelitis is well described in this population, septic arthritis is uncommon, especially involving the shoulder joint. We describe a case of NTS bacteremia complicated by native shoulder septic arthritis in a patient with SCD and review its clinical implications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We report the clinical course, diagnostic evaluation, microbiologic findings, imaging studies, and management of a 22-year-old man with homozygous SCD who presented with a vaso-occlusive pain crisis and subsequently developed severe sepsis with persistent <i>Salmonella enterica</i> bacteremia following ingestion of undercooked poultry. Persistent bacteremia prompted further evaluation for metastatic infection using advanced imaging and diagnostic arthrocentesis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Whole-body imaging identified septic arthritis of the native right shoulder, which was confirmed by synovial fluid cultures growing <i>Salmonella</i> species. The patient underwent arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for source control. Antimicrobial therapy was narrowed to intravenous ceftriaxone based on susceptibility data and continued for six weeks. The patient demonstrated clinical improvement with resolution of bacteremia and was discharged to rehabilitation to complete therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case highlights the importance of a careful exposure history, including foodborne sources, in patients with SCD presenting with invasive <i>Salmonella</i> infection. Persistent bacteremia should prompt early investigation for metastatic foci, and timely surgical source control combined with targeted antimicrobial therapy is essential for optimal outcomes in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13115631/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Blood-Based Interferon Viral Score Defines Acute RSV Bronchiolitis in Infants.","authors":"Ilaria Galliano, Stefania Alfonsina Liguori, Anna Pau, Paola Montanari, Cristina Calvi, Anna Clemente, Anna Massobrio, Claudia Linari, Stefano Gambarino, Alessandra Conio, Massimiliano Bergallo","doi":"10.3390/idr18020029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and hospitalization in infancy. Reliable biomarkers reflecting host antiviral responses and disease dynamics are still lacking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the expression of the interferon-stimulated genes IFI44L, IFI27, and RSAD2 in peripheral blood of infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis at admission and discharge, and in healthy controls, using multiplex RT-qPCR. A composite interferon-based Viral Score was derived from coordinated ISG expression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All three ISGs and the Viral Score were markedly elevated during acute RSV infection at hospital admission compared with discharge and healthy controls. Following clinical recovery, ISG expression and Viral Score declined significantly and approached baseline levels. The Viral Score clearly discriminated acute infection from recovery and healthy states, reflecting dynamic systemic interferon activation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A Viral Score based on IFI44L, IFI27, and RSAD2 captures systemic antiviral immune responses in infants with RSV bronchiolitis and declines with disease resolution. This interferon-based host-response signature represents a promising biomarker for defining viral infection status and monitoring disease dynamics in pediatric respiratory infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":13579,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Disease Reports","volume":"18 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13115770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}