Caroline Espersen,Niklas Dyrby Johansen,Daniel Modin,Kira Hyldekær Janstrup,Joshua Nealon,Sandrine Samson,Matthew M Loiacono,Rebecca C Harris,Melissa K Andrew,Carsten Schade Larsen,Anne Marie Reimer Jensen,Nino Emanuel Landler,Brian L Claggett,Scott D Solomon,Martin J Landray,Gunnar H Gislason,Lars Køber,Jens Ulrik Stæhr Jensen,Pradeesh Sivapalan,Tor Biering-Sørensen
{"title":"Relative effectiveness of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza vaccine against hospitalizations and mortality according to frailty score: A post-hoc analysis of the DANFLU-1 randomized trial.","authors":"Caroline Espersen,Niklas Dyrby Johansen,Daniel Modin,Kira Hyldekær Janstrup,Joshua Nealon,Sandrine Samson,Matthew M Loiacono,Rebecca C Harris,Melissa K Andrew,Carsten Schade Larsen,Anne Marie Reimer Jensen,Nino Emanuel Landler,Brian L Claggett,Scott D Solomon,Martin J Landray,Gunnar H Gislason,Lars Køber,Jens Ulrik Stæhr Jensen,Pradeesh Sivapalan,Tor Biering-Sørensen","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf420","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf420","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUNDFrailty is a risk factor for adverse influenza-related outcomes. We assessed the effectiveness of high-dose (HD-IIV) versus standard-dose (SD-IIV) influenza vaccination according to frailty score (FS).METHODSThis was a post-hoc analysis of the randomized feasibility trial of HD-IIV versus SD-IIV conducted during the 2021-2022 influenza season in older adults aged 65-79 years. We assessed prespecified outcomes including hospitalizations and mortality as time to first and recurrent events. Frailty was defined according to the Hospital Frailty Risk Score.RESULTSAmong 12,477 included participants (mean age 71.7 years, 47.1% female), 10,689 (85.7%) were categorized as having low frailty (<5 points) and 1,784 (14.3%) had intermediate or high frailty (≥5 points). HD-IIV versus SD-IIV was associated with a lower risk of first and recurrent hospitalizations for pneumonia or influenza regardless of FS (Low frailty: 22 events, HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15- 0.96; 25 recurrent events, IRR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11- 0.84. Intermediate or high frailty: 16 events, HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11-1.01; 18 recurrent events, IRR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.92. Pinteraction 0.92 and 0.93, respectively). FS modified the association of HD-IIV versus SD-IIV with all-cause mortality (Pinteraction 0.022), with an association with reduced risk in participants with low frailty only (43 events, HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.55).CONCLUSIONHD-IIV was associated with a lower risk of first and recurrent hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza compared with SD-IIV and may be preferred for older adults irrespective of frailty status. FS modified the association of HD-IIV versus SD-IIV with all-cause mortality.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mónica S Sierra,Carolina Coto,Carolina Porras,Rolando Herrero,Daniela Ugalde,Ashley N Sauer,Daniela Mora,Claudia P Montes,John Schussler,Amanda C Hoffman,Belynda Hicks,David Ruggieri,Bernal Cortes,Allan Hildesheim,Aimée R Kreimer,Nicolas Wentzensen,Casey Dagnall,Danping Liu
{"title":"Validation of TypeSeq2, a Next-Generation-Based Sequencing Assay for the Detection of 46 Human Papillomavirus Genotypes, at the US National Cancer Institute and Costa Rica Laboratories.","authors":"Mónica S Sierra,Carolina Coto,Carolina Porras,Rolando Herrero,Daniela Ugalde,Ashley N Sauer,Daniela Mora,Claudia P Montes,John Schussler,Amanda C Hoffman,Belynda Hicks,David Ruggieri,Bernal Cortes,Allan Hildesheim,Aimée R Kreimer,Nicolas Wentzensen,Casey Dagnall,Danping Liu","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf369","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf369","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUNDCervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes. Prophylactic HPV vaccines are highly efficacious in preventing the acquisition of HPV infection. HPV vaccine trials and epidemiologic studies based on virologic endpoints rely on valid and reproducible measurements of HPV. We evaluated the second version of TypeSeq (TS2), a next-generation, sequencing-based assay that detects 46 HPV genotypes, in a historical phase 3 clinical trial.METHODSWe used 1214 stored cervical samples from women enrolled in the Costa Rica HPV Vaccine Trial with available HPV results from Short PCR Fragment 10- Line Probe Assay 25 (SPF10-LiPA25). TS2 was first validated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and transferred to the laboratory in Costa Rica, where we conducted a second validation study. We compared TS2 results generated at each laboratory to the SPF10-LiPA25 results.RESULTSOverall, each laboratory demonstrated high positive agreement for most carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic genotypes between TS2 and SPF10-LiPA25. Intralaboratory comparisons revealed very high agreement in repeated testing. Interlaboratory comparisons showed high agreement for most carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic types. Overall, there were no statistically significant differences in vaccine efficacy in the according-to-protocol cohort using TS2 (either in NCI or Costa Rica) or SPF10-LiPA25 (McNemar P values >.05). Costa Rica produced similar vaccine efficacy estimates as NCI for HPV16/18, HPV31/33/45, and HPV35/39/51/52/56/58/59 as NCI (P values ≥.36).CONCLUSIONSCompared to SPF10-LiPA25, a well-established standard for HPV genotyping, TS2 demonstrated high accuracy. Inter- and intralaboratory comparisons demonstrated that TS2 is valid and reproducible. TS2 can accurately classify the presence of HPV, which is essential in HPV vaccine trials evaluating virological endpoints.CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATIONNCT00128661.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emily A Felton, Mary-Elizabeth Jobson, Nathanial J Torres, Rachel M Washburn, Ariana M Virgillio, Joshua Alvior, Eleonora Cella, Amorce Lima, Deanna Becker, Suzane Silbert, Taj Azarian, Kami Kim, Lindsey N Shaw
{"title":"Emergence of ST3390: A novel apigmented MRSA clone from the CC5 Lineage","authors":"Emily A Felton, Mary-Elizabeth Jobson, Nathanial J Torres, Rachel M Washburn, Ariana M Virgillio, Joshua Alvior, Eleonora Cella, Amorce Lima, Deanna Becker, Suzane Silbert, Taj Azarian, Kami Kim, Lindsey N Shaw","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf410","url":null,"abstract":"Background One of the most successful and widely-distributed hospital-associated lineages of MRSA is clonal complex 5 (CC5). These strains are known for widespread antibiotic resistance, but less severe disease than CA-MRSA counterparts. Recently, CC5 descendant lineages have appeared globally with hypervirulent properties. Herein we identify and characterize a rare and novel CC5 MRSA sequence type, ST3390. Methods We used whole genome sequencing, alongside phenotypic characterizations, genetic complementation, blood viability- and neutrophil-killing assays, and a murine model of sepsis to study the pathogenic capabilities of ST3390 strains. Results To date, there have only been 65 recorded instances of infection caused by ST3390 globally, with 36 of those occurring in Tampa (TPA-ST3390). Genomic analysis of strains identified numerous spa-types, with a t010 cluster found only in our strains. Exploration of AMR genes detected the presence of unique hybrid SCCmec types, with ∼90% of Tampa strains possessing components of SCCmecIa, SCCmecIIa and/or SCCmecVIII. Phenotypically, all ST3390 strains lack the staphyloxanthin pigment, which is mediated by a conserved 6aa in frame deletion within the staphyloxanthin biosynthesis protein CrtN. TPA-ST3390 strains display high levels of cytotoxicity towards human neutrophils compared to other CC5 lineages, and are also virulent in animal models of infection. Conclusions This is the first study to characterize the pathogenicity and genomic architecture of the rare MRSA lineage ST3390. Our work provides a deeper understanding of the clonal expansion of CC5, and the wider diversification of S. aureus isolates within patient populations.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"744 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara Gianella, Jeff Taylor, Brittany Shelton, Nina Martinez, Robert Deiss, Karine Dubé, Maile Karris
{"title":"Every Body Has Value: Ending Discriminatory Restrictions on Anatomical Donations","authors":"Sara Gianella, Jeff Taylor, Brittany Shelton, Nina Martinez, Robert Deiss, Karine Dubé, Maile Karris","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf413","url":null,"abstract":"Anatomical body donation plays a critical role in medical education and scientific discovery. Yet, most programs in the United States continue to exclude individuals with HIV or viral hepatitis, despite modern biosafety protocols and decades of scientific progress. These outdated restrictions are rooted in historical stigma rather than current risk, and they unjustly deny people living with these conditions the opportunity to make a final, meaningful contribution to science. In this Viewpoint, we call for the urgent revision of donor eligibility policies to reflect contemporary understanding of infectious disease transmission and universal precautions. Drawing on examples from end-of-life HIV research and the broader transplant landscape, we argue that inclusion is both scientifically sound and ethically imperative. Every person deserves the dignity of being valued in death as in life, and no body should be excluded based on fear, misinformation, or outdated policy.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sweta M Patel,John Farirai,Mohamed Z Patel,Sifelane Boiditswe,Leabaneng Tawe,Shimane Lekalake,Mogomotsi Matshaba,Andrew P Steenhoff,Tonya Arscott-Mills,Kristen A Feemster,Samir S Shah,Nathan Thielman,Coleen K Cunningham,Lawrence A David,David M Murdoch,Matthew S Kelly
{"title":"Alterations of the upper respiratory microbiome among children living with HIV infection in Botswana.","authors":"Sweta M Patel,John Farirai,Mohamed Z Patel,Sifelane Boiditswe,Leabaneng Tawe,Shimane Lekalake,Mogomotsi Matshaba,Andrew P Steenhoff,Tonya Arscott-Mills,Kristen A Feemster,Samir S Shah,Nathan Thielman,Coleen K Cunningham,Lawrence A David,David M Murdoch,Matthew S Kelly","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf429","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf429","url":null,"abstract":"Children living with HIV (CLWH) are at high risk of colonization and infection by respiratory pathogens, though this risk can be reduced by other microbes in the upper respiratory microbiome. The impact of HIV infection on the pediatric upper respiratory microbiome is poorly understood, and we sought to address this knowledge gap by identifying associations between HIV infection and the nasopharyngeal microbiomes of Batswana children. We enrolled Batswana CLWH (<5 years) and age- and sex-matched HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) children in a cross-sectional study. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to compare nasopharyngeal microbiomes by HIV status. Among the 143 children in this study, HIV and HIV-associated immunosuppression were associated with alterations in nasopharyngeal microbiome composition, including lower abundances of Corynebacterium species associated with resistance to bacterial pathogen colonization. These findings suggest that the upper respiratory microbiome may contribute to the high risk of respiratory infections among CLWH.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The emerging role of immunothrombosis in the control and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis","authors":"Seán Donohue, Gina Leisching, Joseph Keane","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf415","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf415","url":null,"abstract":"Greater understanding of the immunopathogenesis of tuberculosis is critical for developing novel therapies. Here, we propose that immunothrombosis plays an important role in the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This interplay between macrophages, neutrophils, and platelets leads to microthrombosis at the site of infection, trapping the mycobacterium to prevent dissemination. We explore how dysregulated immunothrombosis might contribute to tuberculosis pathogenesis; with excessive microthrombosis driving drug resistance, leading to lung damage and venous thromboembolism. Further research into these poorly understood mechanisms could identify options for host-directed therapies to ameliorate immunothrombosis, with its attendant tissue destruction, and reduce the burden of resistance.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Barnabas Bakamutumaho, John Juma, Erin Clancey, Luke Nyakarahuka, Silvia Situma, Raymond Odinoh, Jeanette Dawa, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Evan A Eskew, Stephen Balinandi, Sophia Mulei, John Kayiwa, John D Klena, Trevor R Shoemaker, Shannon L M Whitmer, Joel M Montgomery, John Schieffelin, Julius Lutwama, Allan Muruta, Henry Kyobe Bosa, Scott L Nuismer, Samuel O Oyola, Robert F Breiman, M Kariuki Njenga
{"title":"Hyperendemicity of Rift Valley fever in Southwestern Uganda associated with the rapidly evolving lineage C viruses","authors":"Barnabas Bakamutumaho, John Juma, Erin Clancey, Luke Nyakarahuka, Silvia Situma, Raymond Odinoh, Jeanette Dawa, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Evan A Eskew, Stephen Balinandi, Sophia Mulei, John Kayiwa, John D Klena, Trevor R Shoemaker, Shannon L M Whitmer, Joel M Montgomery, John Schieffelin, Julius Lutwama, Allan Muruta, Henry Kyobe Bosa, Scott L Nuismer, Samuel O Oyola, Robert F Breiman, M Kariuki Njenga","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf417","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf417","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Recent Rift Valley fever (RVF) epidemiology in eastern Africa region is characterized by widening geographic range and increasing frequency of small disease clusters. Here we conducted studies in the southwestern (SW) Uganda region that has since 2016 reported increasing RVF activities. Methods A 22-month long hospital-based study in three districts of SW Uganda targeting patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) or unexplained bleeding was followed by a cross-sectional population-based human-animal survey. We then estimated RVFV force of infection (FOI) and yearly cases using the age-structured seroprevalence data and conducted genomic phylodynamic modelling of RVFV isolates. Results Overall RVF prevalence was 10.5% (205 of 1,968) among febrile or hemorrhagic cases, including 5% (100 of 1,968) with acute (PCR or IgM positive) infection, averaging 5 cases per month. Community-based seroprevalence of 11.8% (88/743) among humans and 14.6% (347/2,383) in livestock was observed. Expected yearly human RVF cases were 314-2,111 per 1,369 km2 in SW Uganda, up to 3-fold higher than the 0-711 yearly cases in comparable regions of Kenya and Tanzania. Viral genomic studies identified RVFV lineage C, sub-clade C.2.2, as the circulating strain in SW Uganda since 2019. Lineage C strain has undergone recent rapid evolution and clonal expansion resulting in four sub-clades, C.1.1, C.1.2, C.2.1, and C.2.2, that are adept at establishing endemicity in new territories. Conclusions We demonstrate an atypical RVF hyperendemic region in SW Uganda characterized by sustained human clinical RVF cases, unusually high population prevalence, and high number of expected yearly human cases, associated in part with emergence of new RVFV sub-lineages.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qiongzhen Zeng, Menghe Li, Hengyuan Gao, Kai Zheng, Weixiangmin Zou, Caiwenjie La, Leyi Fu, Xiaodi Liu, Yifei Wang, Kaisheng Liu
{"title":"Histone Deacetylase 6 Regulates α-Tubulin to Inhibit the Stimulator of Interferon Genes/NLR Family Pyrin Domain-Containing 3-Mediated Microglial Pyroptosis Induced by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection","authors":"Qiongzhen Zeng, Menghe Li, Hengyuan Gao, Kai Zheng, Weixiangmin Zou, Caiwenjie La, Leyi Fu, Xiaodi Liu, Yifei Wang, Kaisheng Liu","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf404","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf404","url":null,"abstract":"Microglia constitute the first line of defense that initiates immune responses against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. In HSV-1 infection, the regulatory function of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in microglia, which acts as an intrinsic antiviral immune response, remains unclear. This study investigated the interaction between pyroptosis and HSV-1 infection. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is cleaved in HSV-1 infection in vitro and in vivo. Gasdermin D knockdown inhibited pyroptosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release but enhanced HSV-1 infection. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) knockdown and inhibition of HDAC6 deacetylase activity by tubacin promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation, LDH, and mature IL-1β release and microglial pyroptosis, weakening HSV-1 infection. Blocking α-tubulin acetylation attenuated the stimulator of interferon genes–NLRP3 interaction, counteracting the increased GSDMD cleavage by HDAC6 inhibitors and resulting in increased susceptibility to HSV-1 infection. Our findings reveal that HDAC6 inactivates NLRP3-mediated microglial pyroptosis to facilitate HSV-1 infection, providing a new potential strategy for effective antiviral immunotherapy.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Naznin R Choudhury, Lucy Urwin, Bartłomiej Salamaga, Lynne R Prince, Stephen A Renshaw, Rebecca M Corrigan
{"title":"Determining the importance of the stringent response for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus virulence in vivo","authors":"Naznin R Choudhury, Lucy Urwin, Bartłomiej Salamaga, Lynne R Prince, Stephen A Renshaw, Rebecca M Corrigan","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf421","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf421","url":null,"abstract":"The stringent response is a stress signalling pathway with links to bacterial virulence. This pathway is controlled by the nucleotide alarmone (p)ppGpp, produced in Staphylococcus aureus by three synthetase enzymes. Here, we used a panel of synthetase mutants to examine the importance of this signalling network for S. aureus survival and virulence in vivo. Using a zebrafish larval infection model, we observed that infection with a (p)ppGpp null strain attenuated virulence. Zebrafish myeloid cell depletion restored the virulence during systemic infection, indicating that (p)ppGpp is important for phagocyte-mediated immune evasion. Primary macrophages infection studies, followed by in vitro tolerance assays and RNA-seq, revealed that (p)ppGpp is required to survive stressors found within the intracellular macrophage environment, with roles for each class of synthetase, and the linked transcription factor CodY, implicated. Taken together, these results define the importance of the stringent response and each class of synthetase for S. aureus infection.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jessica Y Wong, Justin K Cheung, A Danielle Iuliano, Peng Wu, Benjamin J Cowling
{"title":"Influenza-associated excess mortality associated with influenza B in Hong Kong, 2014-2023","authors":"Jessica Y Wong, Justin K Cheung, A Danielle Iuliano, Peng Wu, Benjamin J Cowling","doi":"10.1093/infdis/jiaf414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf414","url":null,"abstract":"Background Influenza B epidemics can have substantial public health impact. We aimed to estimate the mortality burden associated with influenza B virus infections over a 7-year period in Hong Kong. Methods Age- and cause-specific (i.e., respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases, renal diseases and other causes) and all-cause mortality rates in Hong Kong from 2014 through 2023 were fit to linear regression models with influenza B virus lineages as covariates. The influenza-associated excess mortality from influenza B viruses was estimated as the difference between fitted death rates with or without influenza B virus activity. Results Between 2014 and 2023, B/Yamagata predominated in four seasonal epidemics but eventually disappeared in 2020. In contrast, B/Victoria was predominant only in 2016, with influenza A(H1N1) and B/Yamagata co-circulating during that year. The annual respiratory excess mortality rate associated with influenza B was 3.5 (95% credible interval (CrI): 2.4, 4.6) per 100,000 person-years. We estimated an average of 260 (95% CrI: 180, 340) excess deaths associated with influenza B annually from 2014 through 2023, with a majority of the excess deaths occurring in adults ≥65 years of age. Influenza B/Yamagata epidemics were associated with more excess deaths than influenza B/Victoria, and the majority of influenza-associated deaths were from respiratory causes. Conclusions Influenza B was associated with mortality burden each year, mainly among older adults, from 2014-2023. The disappearance of influenza B/Yamagata since 2020 suggests that influenza B burden will be lower in the future.","PeriodicalId":501010,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144825713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}