Pub Date : 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.004
Meghan W. Starolis , Susan E. Realegeno , Clemente I. Montero , Robert S. Jones , Elizabeth M. Marlowe
Laboratory screening and diagnostic testing for sexual health is a key driver for management and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Selection and interpretation of appropriate assays for transgender patients requires an understanding of the analytical principle of the assay with consideration of the medical interventions being utilized for gender affirming therapy (e.g., surgical interventions or hormone replacement therapy). Current testing recommendations for cisgender individuals may not be appropriate for patients utilizing gender-affirming care as test interpretation may be impacted. This article provides a review of sexual health testing that may be required for transgender patients while highlighting utilization and interpretation challenges for commonly available assays.
{"title":"Sexual health laboratory testing considerations among transgender patients","authors":"Meghan W. Starolis , Susan E. Realegeno , Clemente I. Montero , Robert S. Jones , Elizabeth M. Marlowe","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Laboratory screening and diagnostic testing for sexual health is a key driver for management and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Selection and interpretation of appropriate assays for transgender patients requires an understanding of the analytical principle of the assay with consideration of the medical interventions being utilized for gender affirming therapy (e.g., surgical interventions or hormone replacement therapy). Current testing recommendations for cisgender individuals may not be appropriate for patients utilizing gender-affirming care as test interpretation may be impacted. This article provides a review of sexual health testing that may be required for transgender patients while highlighting utilization and interpretation challenges for commonly available assays.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 29-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022573","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}
Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a severe infection of the meninges leading to inflammation and neurological complications. Cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) is a rare serious complication of ABM. We report a case of CH secondary to ABM in a healthy 50-year-old man who presented with high-grade fever, headache, vomiting and altered consciousness. Initial CT was normal, while MRI revealed hemorrhagic transformation of left cerebellar infarct with additional non-hemorrhagic infarcts. Cerebrospinal fluid culture confirmed Streptococcus agalactiae sensitive to ampicillin and ceftriaxone. He received antibiotics, corticosteroids, and supportive care, achieving neurological improvement within 72 hours. This report highlights an early diagnosis of S.agalactiae that requires prompt recognition and treatment.
{"title":"A case report on cerebellar hemorrhage following bacterial meningitis: Unveiling a rare neurological emergency","authors":"Sreeram sevitha , Vignessh Raveekumaran , Daggupati Harith","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is a severe infection of the meninges leading to inflammation and neurological complications. Cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) is a rare serious complication of ABM. We report a case of CH secondary to ABM in a healthy 50-year-old man who presented with high-grade fever, headache, vomiting and altered consciousness. Initial CT was normal, while MRI revealed hemorrhagic transformation of left cerebellar infarct with additional non-hemorrhagic infarcts. Cerebrospinal fluid culture confirmed <em>Streptococcus agalactiae</em> sensitive to ampicillin and ceftriaxone. He received antibiotics, corticosteroids, and supportive care, achieving neurological improvement within 72 hours. This report highlights an early diagnosis of <em>S.agalactiae</em> that requires prompt recognition and treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 24-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975981","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.clinmicnews.2025.12.002
Melissa Whitman
The concept of healthcare sustainability is receiving heightened recognition owing to the acknowledged harmful impacts of climate change on human health. Clinical laboratories play a significant role in the carbon footprint of healthcare systems, largely due to their reliance on single use plastics, large amounts of waste generation, and intensive water and energy consumption. Numerous resources are available that provide recommendations to “green” the laboratory and can be implemented without compromising patient care. However, support from healthcare systems and large-scale policy changes are necessary for impactful change. This review examines the environmental impact of clinical laboratories and provides suggestions and resources to reduce their carbon footprint.
{"title":"Sustainability in healthcare: A review of the environmental impact of healthcare and laboratory medicine","authors":"Melissa Whitman","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The concept of healthcare sustainability is receiving heightened recognition owing to the acknowledged harmful impacts of climate change on human health. Clinical laboratories play a significant role in the carbon footprint of healthcare systems, largely due to their reliance on single use plastics, large amounts of waste generation, and intensive water and energy consumption. Numerous resources are available that provide recommendations to “green” the laboratory and can be implemented without compromising patient care. However, support from healthcare systems and large-scale policy changes are necessary for impactful change. This review examines the environmental impact of clinical laboratories and provides suggestions and resources to reduce their carbon footprint.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 18-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975925","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 : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.001
Luiz Guilherme Alves Pinheiro Faria , Matheus Nascimento Moura , Ariana Leal Borges da Cruz , Felipe de Oliveira Andrade , Alice Palmeira Nascimento Cerqueira , Leon Fernandes Cariús , Ana Flávia Novaes , Saadia Oliveira Ribeiro , Iukary Takenami , Fernanda Khouri Barreto , Davi Tanajura Costa
Coinfection with HTLV-1 and Mycobacterium leprae can present significant clinical challenges due to their complex interactions. The chronic immune activation induced by HTLV-1 can potentiate leprosy-related neurological symptoms, complicating treatment. This report describes a 61-year-old man from a Brazilian endemic area for HTLV-1 and leprosy, who was diagnosed with both infections and developed a type 1 leprosy reaction. The patient presents a significant exacerbation of neurological symptoms, with sensory and motor impairments across multiple limbs. Routine screening for HTLV-1 in patients diagnosed with leprosy, especially in endemic areas, is essential for better clinical management and prognosis.
{"title":"Type 1 leprosy reaction in a patient coinfected with HTLV-1 and Mycobacterium leprae","authors":"Luiz Guilherme Alves Pinheiro Faria , Matheus Nascimento Moura , Ariana Leal Borges da Cruz , Felipe de Oliveira Andrade , Alice Palmeira Nascimento Cerqueira , Leon Fernandes Cariús , Ana Flávia Novaes , Saadia Oliveira Ribeiro , Iukary Takenami , Fernanda Khouri Barreto , Davi Tanajura Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coinfection with HTLV-1 and <em>Mycobacterium leprae</em> can present significant clinical challenges due to their complex interactions. The chronic immune activation induced by HTLV-1 can potentiate leprosy-related neurological symptoms, complicating treatment. This report describes a 61-year-old man from a Brazilian endemic area for HTLV-1 and leprosy, who was diagnosed with both infections and developed a type 1 leprosy reaction. The patient presents a significant exacerbation of neurological symptoms, with sensory and motor impairments across multiple limbs. Routine screening for HTLV-1 in patients diagnosed with leprosy, especially in endemic areas, is essential for better clinical management and prognosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 14-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883476","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.clinmicnews.2025.10.001
Bobbi S. Pritt , Gillian H. Gile , Richard S. Bradbury , Blaine Mathison , Huan Zhao , Abhishek Mewara
{"title":"No evidence for human Lophomonas infection","authors":"Bobbi S. Pritt , Gillian H. Gile , Richard S. Bradbury , Blaine Mathison , Huan Zhao , Abhishek Mewara","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"53 ","pages":"Pages 20-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623025","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 : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.003
Łucja Ilkiewicz, Aleksandra Kalisz, Krzysztof Łupina, Magdalena Niechciał, Aleksandra Jabłońska, Julia Salacha, Jakub Janczura
Lyme disease, caused by spirochetes of Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere and a growing global public health concern. Its clinical spectrum ranges from early localized erythema migrans to disseminated neurological, cardiac, and rheumatologic manifestations, and in some cases to long-term complications. Diagnosis remains challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions, the variable sensitivity of serological testing, and differences in Borrelia species across geographic regions. While antibiotic therapy is generally effective, a subset of patients continues to experience fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, or cognitive impairment after treatment, a condition referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The pathogenesis of PTLDS remains unclear, and current evidence does not support prolonged antibiotic therapy, highlighting the need for improved biomarkers, better understanding of host-pathogen interactions, and new therapeutic strategies. Preventive measures such as tick avoidance, protective clothing, and repellents remain central to reducing disease incidence, while renewed interest in vaccine development offers hope for long-term prevention. This review summarizes current knowledge of Lyme disease, with a focus on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, while highlighting areas where future research is most urgently needed.
{"title":"Current perspectives on lyme disease","authors":"Łucja Ilkiewicz, Aleksandra Kalisz, Krzysztof Łupina, Magdalena Niechciał, Aleksandra Jabłońska, Julia Salacha, Jakub Janczura","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lyme disease, caused by spirochetes of <em>Borrelia burgdorferi</em>, is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere and a growing global public health concern. Its clinical spectrum ranges from early localized erythema migrans to disseminated neurological, cardiac, and rheumatologic manifestations, and in some cases to long-term complications. Diagnosis remains challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions, the variable sensitivity of serological testing, and differences in <em>Borrelia</em> species across geographic regions. While antibiotic therapy is generally effective, a subset of patients continues to experience fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, or cognitive impairment after treatment, a condition referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The pathogenesis of PTLDS remains unclear, and current evidence does not support prolonged antibiotic therapy, highlighting the need for improved biomarkers, better understanding of host-pathogen interactions, and new therapeutic strategies. Preventive measures such as tick avoidance, protective clothing, and repellents remain central to reducing disease incidence, while renewed interest in vaccine development offers hope for long-term prevention. This review summarizes current knowledge of Lyme disease, with a focus on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, while highlighting areas where future research is most urgently needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 7-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736912","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 : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.002
Saina Beitari
Bartonella henselae is a fastidious, gram-negative, aerobic, intracellular bacillus that is notoriously difficult to culture, making molecular detection and serologic testing the primary diagnostic methods. B. henselae is the principal causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD), which typically presents as a self-limited, localized lymphadenopathy. The organism primarily targets regional lymph nodes but is also capable of infecting various cell types, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. To date, >40 Bartonella species and subspecies have been identified, with B. henselae representing the most prevalent zoonotic species. This microbe snapshot will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for B. henselae infection.
{"title":"Microbe Snapshots: Bartonella henselae","authors":"Saina Beitari","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bartonella henselae</em> is a fastidious, gram-negative, aerobic, intracellular bacillus that is notoriously difficult to culture, making molecular detection and serologic testing the primary diagnostic methods. <em>B. henselae</em> is the principal causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD), which typically presents as a self-limited, localized lymphadenopathy. The organism primarily targets regional lymph nodes but is also capable of infecting various cell types, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. To date, >40 Bartonella species and subspecies have been identified, with B. henselae representing the most prevalent zoonotic species. This microbe snapshot will review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies for <em>B. henselae</em> infection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 4-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684185","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 : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.001
Miriam B. Valenzuela-Cardenas , Samuel M. Goodfellow
This is a short review that discusses the history, clinical impact and presentation of diphtheria as caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection. It also serves as a reminder of the standard of care, diagnosis, treatment and prevention efforts for clinicians, scientists and broad audiences.
{"title":"Microbe Snapshot: Corynebacterium diphtheriae","authors":"Miriam B. Valenzuela-Cardenas , Samuel M. Goodfellow","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This is a short review that discusses the history, clinical impact and presentation of diphtheria as caused by <em>Corynebacterium diphtheriae</em> infection. It also serves as a reminder of the standard of care, diagnosis, treatment and prevention efforts for clinicians, scientists and broad audiences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"54 ","pages":"Pages 1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145532498","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}
Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes and one of the foremost causes of viral encephalitis infection in Asia, predominantly occurring in children in rural areas. Initially isolated in Japan in 1924, JEV is largely spread by Culex mosquitoes, notably Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex gelidus, breeding in paddy fields. The virus has a zoonotic cycle with pigs as amplifying hosts and ardeid birds as reservoirs. JEV outbreaks reach their peak during the monsoon months (July–September). Severe encephalitis may occur with manifestations such as fever, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, and coma. The case fatality rate is approximately 30 %, and survivors can have long-term neurological complications. JEV invades the central nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier, causing neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. Diagnosis is made with serological tests and molecular tests. JEV is endemic in India, Nepal, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other Asian nations. In India, 1000–2500 cases occur each year, with underreporting suspected. Bihar is a focused area, with Muzaffarpur district having a high incidence. Control is based on vaccination and vector control. Four vaccines are available, but limited coverage underscores the necessity for increased immunization and surveillance.
{"title":"A comparative analysis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) in Asia: patterns of transmission, clinical diagnosis, and control strategies","authors":"Neetesh Jindal , Bipin Bihari Mishra , Kanak Raj Kanak , Ashish Kumar , Krishna Pandey , Ganesh Chandra Sahoo","doi":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clinmicnews.2025.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes and one of the foremost causes of viral encephalitis infection in Asia, predominantly occurring in children in rural areas. Initially isolated in Japan in 1924, JEV is largely spread by <em>Culex</em> mosquitoes, notably <em>Culex tritaeniorhynchus</em> and <em>Culex gelidus</em>, breeding in paddy fields. The virus has a zoonotic cycle with pigs as amplifying hosts and ardeid birds as reservoirs. JEV outbreaks reach their peak during the monsoon months (July–September). Severe encephalitis may occur with manifestations such as fever, vomiting, seizures, paralysis, and coma. The case fatality rate is approximately 30 %, and survivors can have long-term neurological complications. JEV invades the central nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier, causing neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. Diagnosis is made with serological tests and molecular tests. JEV is endemic in India, Nepal, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other Asian nations. In India, 1000–2500 cases occur each year, with underreporting suspected. Bihar is a focused area, with Muzaffarpur district having a high incidence. Control is based on vaccination and vector control. Four vaccines are available, but limited coverage underscores the necessity for increased immunization and surveillance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":39211,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Microbiology Newsletter","volume":"53 ","pages":"Pages 14-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332265","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}
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