Delafloxacin (DLFX), a new anionic fluoroquinolone, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of bacterial skin and skin structure infections and by the FDA for community-acquired pneumonia. This report describes a novel use of DFX as oral monotherapy in the treatment of staphylococcal prosthetic endocarditis. Prospective data would be useful to identify future opportunities for the use of this new fluoroquinolone in endocarditis both as monotherapy and for oral use,to simplify antibiotic regimen and to improve patients' quality of life and adherence to therapy.
{"title":"Novel use of oral delafloxacin monotherapy in staphylococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis: A case report","authors":"Antonio Mastroianni, Valeria Vangeli, Giuliana Guadagnino, Luciana Chidichimo, Lavinia Berardelli, Sonia Greco","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2026.100235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2026.100235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Delafloxacin (DLFX), a new anionic fluoroquinolone, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of bacterial skin and skin structure infections and by the FDA for community-acquired pneumonia. This report describes a novel use of DFX as oral monotherapy in the treatment of staphylococcal prosthetic endocarditis. Prospective data would be useful to identify future opportunities for the use of this new fluoroquinolone in endocarditis both as monotherapy and for oral use,to simplify antibiotic regimen and to improve patients' quality of life and adherence to therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078753","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2026.100237
Chang Song , Chunyan Zhao , Dan Luo , Aichun Huang , Chaoyan Xu , Jieqing Zhong , Yujie Mo , Zhentao Huang , Xiaoshi Lin , Zhouhua Xie , Qingdong Zhu
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients, where diagnosis is complicated by atypical presentation and paucibacillary disease. Current diagnostic methods have limitations in speed or sensitivity. This study evaluates the diagnostic value of rapid, portable nanopore sequencing for TB in this high-risk population.
Methods
Clinical data and diagnostic results were collected from 59 HIV/AIDS patients with suspected tuberculosis. The diagnostic performance of nanopore sequencing was compared with AFB staining, TB-DNA testing, Xpert, and solid mycobacterial culture, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Kappa coefficient, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Additionally, this study further evaluated the diagnostic performance of nanopore sequencing in combination with AFB staining, TB-DNA testing, Xpert, and culture methods.
Results
Nanopore sequencing showed the highest performance among all methods, with a sensitivity of 60.50%, specificity of 90.50%, PPV of 92.00%, NPV of 55.90%, and AUC of 0.76. When used in combination with other methods, nanopore sequencing and Xpert achieved the best diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 71.10%, specificity of 85.70%, PPV of 90.00%, NPV of 62.10%, Kappa value of 0.523, and an AUC of 0.78.
Conclusions
The combination of nanopore sequencing and Xpert demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance for diagnosing TB in HIV/AIDS patients.
{"title":"The diagnostic value of Xpert detection combined with nanopore sequencing for tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients","authors":"Chang Song , Chunyan Zhao , Dan Luo , Aichun Huang , Chaoyan Xu , Jieqing Zhong , Yujie Mo , Zhentao Huang , Xiaoshi Lin , Zhouhua Xie , Qingdong Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2026.100237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2026.100237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients, where diagnosis is complicated by atypical presentation and paucibacillary disease. Current diagnostic methods have limitations in speed or sensitivity. This study evaluates the diagnostic value of rapid, portable nanopore sequencing for TB in this high-risk population.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Clinical data and diagnostic results were collected from 59 HIV/AIDS patients with suspected tuberculosis. The diagnostic performance of nanopore sequencing was compared with AFB staining, TB-DNA testing, Xpert, and solid mycobacterial culture, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), Kappa coefficient, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Additionally, this study further evaluated the diagnostic performance of nanopore sequencing in combination with AFB staining, TB-DNA testing, Xpert, and culture methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nanopore sequencing showed the highest performance among all methods, with a sensitivity of 60.50%, specificity of 90.50%, PPV of 92.00%, NPV of 55.90%, and AUC of 0.76. When used in combination with other methods, nanopore sequencing and Xpert achieved the best diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 71.10%, specificity of 85.70%, PPV of 90.00%, NPV of 62.10%, Kappa value of 0.523, and an AUC of 0.78.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The combination of nanopore sequencing and Xpert demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance for diagnosing TB in HIV/AIDS patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038350","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100230
Yu-Hong Yang , Ji-Xu Li , Rui-Chen Wang , Qi-Kai Yin , Shi-Hong Fu , Kai Nie , Qian-Qian Cui , Song-Tao Xu , Qiang Wei , Fan Li , Xing-Zhou Li , Huan-Yu Wang
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Isolation and characterization of a novel coltivirus from Haemaphysalis concinna ticks in Northeastern China” [Infectious Medicine 4 (2025) 100179]","authors":"Yu-Hong Yang , Ji-Xu Li , Rui-Chen Wang , Qi-Kai Yin , Shi-Hong Fu , Kai Nie , Qian-Qian Cui , Song-Tao Xu , Qiang Wei , Fan Li , Xing-Zhou Li , Huan-Yu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100230","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100230"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145869409","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100233
Hui-Ju Han , Ya-Ting Zhang , Jun-Jing Yang , Wen-Jie Wang , Jian-Bo Zhan
Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) encephalopathy is rare, especially without gastroenteritis. We report a case in a healthy 14-year-old girl presenting with rash and headache, but no diarrhea. Cerebrospinal fluid culture grew Gram-negative bacilli. Genomic sequencing identified a multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST36 strain. The patient progressed to subarachnoid hemorrhage. This case highlights that invasive NTS disease can present atypically in adolescents. NTS should be considered in encephalopathy differentials, irrespective of intestinal symptoms.
{"title":"Nontyphoidal Salmonella encephalopathy in a teenager from Hubei, China","authors":"Hui-Ju Han , Ya-Ting Zhang , Jun-Jing Yang , Wen-Jie Wang , Jian-Bo Zhan","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nontyphoidal <em>Salmonella</em> (NTS) encephalopathy is rare, especially without gastroenteritis. We report a case in a healthy 14-year-old girl presenting with rash and headache, but no diarrhea. Cerebrospinal fluid culture grew Gram-negative bacilli. Genomic sequencing identified a multidrug-resistant <em>Salmonella</em> Typhimurium ST36 strain. The patient progressed to subarachnoid hemorrhage. This case highlights that invasive NTS disease can present atypically in adolescents. NTS should be considered in encephalopathy differentials, irrespective of intestinal symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940566","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100234
Feng Li , Xingguo Tan , Lian Zhang , Xiaohong Tian , Songkai Li
Cervical brucellar spondylitis (CBS) is a rare but severe form of osteoarticular brucellosis requiring heightened clinical vigilance. This review delineates current management strategies and proposes future directions for CBS, based on a comprehensive analysis of 37 studies (encompassing 101 CBS cases) identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. CBS most commonly manifests with neck pain (occurring in 98% of patients) and neurological deficits (77%). Characteristic imaging findings include T1-weighted hypointensity and T2-weighted hyperintensity affecting the intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebrae, frequently accompanied by epidural abscesses (65.3%), while vertebral bone destruction is less common (30.7%). The cervical segments most frequently involved are C5–C6 (28.7%), followed by C4–C5 (19.8%) and C6–C7 (19.8%). First-line antimicrobial therapy typically involves a combination of doxycycline and rifampin administered for 6–12 weeks. Conservative treatment is the recommended approach for patients without severe neurological deficits, significant bone destruction, or spinal instability. Surgical intervention (utilizing anterior, posterior, or combined approaches) is indicated for cases involving progressive neurological deterioration, radiographic progression, or failure of conservative therapy. Effective management of CBS requires strict adherence to the core principles of early and accurate diagnosis, standardized antimicrobial treatment, and precise intervention. Future strategies should focus on advancing rapid molecular diagnostics, innovating drug therapies and surgical techniques, and enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration to improve clinical outcomes in CBS patients.
{"title":"Cervical brucellar spondylitis: Current management strategies and future directions","authors":"Feng Li , Xingguo Tan , Lian Zhang , Xiaohong Tian , Songkai Li","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cervical brucellar spondylitis (CBS) is a rare but severe form of osteoarticular brucellosis requiring heightened clinical vigilance. This review delineates current management strategies and proposes future directions for CBS, based on a comprehensive analysis of 37 studies (encompassing 101 CBS cases) identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. CBS most commonly manifests with neck pain (occurring in 98% of patients) and neurological deficits (77%). Characteristic imaging findings include T1-weighted hypointensity and T2-weighted hyperintensity affecting the intervertebral discs and adjacent vertebrae, frequently accompanied by epidural abscesses (65.3%), while vertebral bone destruction is less common (30.7%). The cervical segments most frequently involved are C5–C6 (28.7%), followed by C4–C5 (19.8%) and C6–C7 (19.8%). First-line antimicrobial therapy typically involves a combination of doxycycline and rifampin administered for 6–12 weeks. Conservative treatment is the recommended approach for patients without severe neurological deficits, significant bone destruction, or spinal instability. Surgical intervention (utilizing anterior, posterior, or combined approaches) is indicated for cases involving progressive neurological deterioration, radiographic progression, or failure of conservative therapy. Effective management of CBS requires strict adherence to the core principles of early and accurate diagnosis, standardized antimicrobial treatment, and precise intervention. Future strategies should focus on advancing rapid molecular diagnostics, innovating drug therapies and surgical techniques, and enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration to improve clinical outcomes in CBS patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979172","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100231
Xin Zhang , Xiaoxi Li , Tianjun Jiang , Junliang Fu
Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), resulting from the chikungunya virus infection, has become a major global health issue in recent years. This review summarizes the epidemiology, virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, vaccine development and treatment strategies of the CHIKF. And by integrating the findings from various studies, an attempt is made to propose future research directions and intervention strategies.
{"title":"A brief review of chikungunya fever: From molecular virology to countermeasures","authors":"Xin Zhang , Xiaoxi Li , Tianjun Jiang , Junliang Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), resulting from the chikungunya virus infection, has become a major global health issue in recent years. This review summarizes the epidemiology, virology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, vaccine development and treatment strategies of the CHIKF. And by integrating the findings from various studies, an attempt is made to propose future research directions and intervention strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100231"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078752","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100232
Marwan Osman , Rayane Rafei , Kevin J. Cummings , Wassim Rafei , Joseph Awada , Hayssam Moubayed , Farah Majzoub , Hassan Mallat , Fouad Dabboussi , Monzer Hamze
Background
The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori in Lebanon is underreported. We aimed to estimate the infection proportion, clarithromycin resistance, and virulence determinants of H. pylori among symptomatic patients with suspected peptic ulcers in Tripoli, North Lebanon.
Methods
Eighty-seven patients undergoing routine endoscopy screening for peptic ulcers were selected. Culture and Allplex™ H. pylori and ClariR Assay were performed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for clarithromycin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and rifampicin was performed using the E-test method. The virulence factors (cagA, vacA, dupA, iceA1, iceA2, and oipA) were screened and/or typed by PCR.
Results
Overall, 32.2 % (28/87) of the patients were found to be infected with H. pylori. Five isolates were resistant to clarithromycin, associated with specific point mutations of A2143G (4/5) or A2142C (1/5). The vacA was found in all tested isolates, with s2m2 being the predominant vacA genotype. The 3′ end variable region of cagA was identified in 44.4% of isolates, where cagA typing indicated their belonging to Western types. The other virulence determinants were dupA (77.8%), iceA1 (61.1%), oipA (55.6%), and iceA2 (50%).
Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate the circulation of H. pylori among symptomatic patients with suspected peptic ulcers in Lebanon, characterized by a rich and diverse pool of virulence genes and the emergence of resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Large-scale surveillance is crucial for quantifying the burden of H. pylori infection, monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends, and ensuring timely updates to eradication treatment policies.
{"title":"Antimicrobial resistance and virulence patterns of Helicobacter pylori among patients with suspected peptic ulcer disease in disenfranchised settings","authors":"Marwan Osman , Rayane Rafei , Kevin J. Cummings , Wassim Rafei , Joseph Awada , Hayssam Moubayed , Farah Majzoub , Hassan Mallat , Fouad Dabboussi , Monzer Hamze","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The epidemiology of <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> in Lebanon is underreported. We aimed to estimate the infection proportion, clarithromycin resistance, and virulence determinants of <em>H. pylori</em> among symptomatic patients with suspected peptic ulcers in Tripoli, North Lebanon.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eighty-seven patients undergoing routine endoscopy screening for peptic ulcers were selected. Culture and Allplex™ <em>H. pylori</em> and ClariR Assay were performed. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for clarithromycin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and rifampicin was performed using the E-test method. The virulence factors (<em>cagA, vacA, dupA, iceA1, iceA2</em>, and <em>oipA</em>) were screened and/or typed by PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, 32.2 % (28/87) of the patients were found to be infected with <em>H. pylori</em>. Five isolates were resistant to clarithromycin, associated with specific point mutations of A2143G (4/5) or A2142C (1/5). The <em>vacA</em> was found in all tested isolates, with s2m2 being the predominant <em>vacA</em> genotype. The 3′ end variable region of <em>cagA</em> was identified in 44.4% of isolates, where <em>cagA</em> typing indicated their belonging to Western types. The other virulence determinants were <em>dupA</em> (77.8%), <em>iceA1</em> (61.1%), <em>oipA</em> (55.6%), and <em>iceA2</em> (50%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings demonstrate the circulation of <em>H. pylori</em> among symptomatic patients with suspected peptic ulcers in Lebanon, characterized by a rich and diverse pool of virulence genes and the emergence of resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Large-scale surveillance is crucial for quantifying the burden of <em>H. pylori</em> infection, monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends, and ensuring timely updates to eradication treatment policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940567","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100222
Tahereh Pakdel , Mohammad Kargar , Ali Farhadi , Mahdokht Hossein Aghdaei , Leila Kohan
Background
Cervical cancer is primarily associated with persistent infection by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), whose oncoproteins modulate key cellular pathways involved in proliferation and apoptosis. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has also been detected in cervical tissues, and its small T (sT) protein shares functional similarities with HR-HPV oncoproteins, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis.
Methods
This study investigated whether MCPyV sT reduces 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced apoptosis and influences HPV16 oncogene expression and proliferation in Ca Ski cells. The MCPyV sT gene was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, transfected into Ca Ski cells, and confirmed by western blotting. Cytotoxicity assays assessed the effects of MCPyV sT on 5-FU-treated cells, while RT-qPCR quantified viral oncogene expression. Annexin V/PI flow cytometry and Ki-67 immunostaining were used to evaluate apoptosis and proliferation.
Results
MCPyV sT expression enhanced cell viability, increased the IC50 of 5-FU, and significantly reduced 5-FU-induced apoptosis. It also markedly upregulated HPV E5 and E6/E7 mRNA levels (p < 0.001) and promoted proliferation. The combined presence of MCPyV sT and HPV oncoproteins synergistically increased resistance to 5-FU-induced apoptosis, oncogene expression, and cell growth.
Conclusions
These findings underscore the potential cooperative effects of viral oncoproteins from distinct viruses in driving therapeutic resistance, highlighting the need for further research into their molecular interactions to inform targeted cervical cancer treatments.
{"title":"MCPyV small T antigen enhances HPV16 oncogene expression, promotes Ca Ski cell proliferation, and reduces 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells","authors":"Tahereh Pakdel , Mohammad Kargar , Ali Farhadi , Mahdokht Hossein Aghdaei , Leila Kohan","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cervical cancer is primarily associated with persistent infection by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), whose oncoproteins modulate key cellular pathways involved in proliferation and apoptosis. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) has also been detected in cervical tissues, and its small T (sT) protein shares functional similarities with HR-HPV oncoproteins, suggesting a potential role in tumorigenesis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study investigated whether MCPyV sT reduces 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced apoptosis and influences HPV16 oncogene expression and proliferation in Ca Ski cells. The MCPyV sT gene was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, transfected into Ca Ski cells, and confirmed by western blotting. Cytotoxicity assays assessed the effects of MCPyV sT on 5-FU-treated cells, while RT-qPCR quantified viral oncogene expression. Annexin V/PI flow cytometry and Ki-67 immunostaining were used to evaluate apoptosis and proliferation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>MCPyV sT expression enhanced cell viability, increased the IC50 of 5-FU, and significantly reduced 5-FU-induced apoptosis. It also markedly upregulated HPV <em>E5</em> and <em>E6/E7</em> mRNA levels (<em>p</em> < 0.001) and promoted proliferation. The combined presence of MCPyV sT and HPV oncoproteins synergistically increased resistance to 5-FU-induced apoptosis, oncogene expression, and cell growth.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings underscore the potential cooperative effects of viral oncoproteins from distinct viruses in driving therapeutic resistance, highlighting the need for further research into their molecular interactions to inform targeted cervical cancer treatments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100222"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693815","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}
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). While the exact etiology remains unclear, emerging evidence suggests that bacterial toxins play significant roles in MS pathogenesis and progression. We aimed to review mechanisms by which bacterial toxins influence MS development, focusing on molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Specific toxins, including Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, Staphylococcus aureus superantigens, and Chlamydia pneumoniae heat shock proteins, demonstrate distinct pathogenic mechanisms in promoting CNS inflammation. Crucially, several toxins disrupt BBB integrity, making it easier for immune cells and cytokines that promote inflammation to enter the CNS and exacerbate neural inflammation. Furthermore, through molecular mimicry and epitope dissemination, bacterial antigens can initiate cross-reacting immune responses that may lead to autoimmune attacks on myelin. This review highlights the complex interplay between bacterial toxins, immune modulation, and genetic susceptibility in MS. Understanding these toxin-mediated pathways reveals the complex interplay between the microbiome and MS pathogenesis, potentially leading to novel therapeutic interventions targeting bacterial contributions to autoimmune neurodegeneration.
{"title":"Potential mechanisms linking bacterial factors to the development and progression of multiple sclerosis","authors":"Aysouda Jafari-Nakhjavanlou, Parsa Irajian, Abed Zahedi Bialvaei","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). While the exact etiology remains unclear, emerging evidence suggests that bacterial toxins play significant roles in MS pathogenesis and progression. We aimed to review mechanisms by which bacterial toxins influence MS development, focusing on molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Specific toxins, including <em>Clostridium perfringens</em> epsilon toxin, <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> superantigens, and <em>Chlamydia pneumoniae</em> heat shock proteins, demonstrate distinct pathogenic mechanisms in promoting CNS inflammation. Crucially, several toxins disrupt BBB integrity, making it easier for immune cells and cytokines that promote inflammation to enter the CNS and exacerbate neural inflammation. Furthermore, through molecular mimicry and epitope dissemination, bacterial antigens can initiate cross-reacting immune responses that may lead to autoimmune attacks on myelin. This review highlights the complex interplay between bacterial toxins, immune modulation, and genetic susceptibility in MS. Understanding these toxin-mediated pathways reveals the complex interplay between the microbiome and MS pathogenesis, potentially leading to novel therapeutic interventions targeting bacterial contributions to autoimmune neurodegeneration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100219"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693816","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.imj.2025.100216
Lu Bai , Yuanyuan Li , Yantong Li , Chengping Hu , Bingrong Zhao
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised populations. Microscopic identification of P. jirovecii cysts or trophozoites in lower respiratory specimens remains the diagnostic gold standard. However, the limited sensitivity, substantial technical demands and prolonged turnaround time inherent to this method hinder its clinical utility for timely and accurate PJP diagnosis. Alternative diagnostic approaches, including cytology, serology, and nucleic acid amplification tests, have been employed, though each carries distinct advantages and limitations. This review evaluates current P. jirovecii detection techniques to guide clinicians in early PJP identification and diagnosis, ultimately improving patient prognosis and reducing healthcare system burdens.
{"title":"Advances in pathogen detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia","authors":"Lu Bai , Yuanyuan Li , Yantong Li , Chengping Hu , Bingrong Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imj.2025.100216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Pneumocystis jirovecii</em> pneumonia (PJP) is a life-threatening opportunistic fungal infection in immunocompromised populations. Microscopic identification of <em>P. jirovecii</em> cysts or trophozoites in lower respiratory specimens remains the diagnostic gold standard. However, the limited sensitivity, substantial technical demands and prolonged turnaround time inherent to this method hinder its clinical utility for timely and accurate PJP diagnosis. Alternative diagnostic approaches, including cytology, serology, and nucleic acid amplification tests, have been employed, though each carries distinct advantages and limitations. This review evaluates current <em>P. jirovecii</em> detection techniques to guide clinicians in early PJP identification and diagnosis, ultimately improving patient prognosis and reducing healthcare system burdens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100667,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Medicine","volume":"4 4","pages":"Article 100216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693818","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}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号