Journal of Infection最新文献

{"title":"Prospective whole genome sequencing to aid the identification and control of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus transmissions in a neonatal ICU","authors":"Meghan A. Baker ,&nbsp;Michael Klompas ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Mermel Blaeser ,&nbsp;Chanu Rhee ,&nbsp;Elisa Abdulhayoglu ,&nbsp;Julie Cadogan ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Flanigan ,&nbsp;Zach Pearson ,&nbsp;Samantha Taffner ,&nbsp;Marisa Winkler ,&nbsp;Nicholas Boire ,&nbsp;Jay Worley ,&nbsp;Manfred Brigl ,&nbsp;Lynn Bry ,&nbsp;Nicole Pecora","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106607","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106607","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Conventional surveillance methods may miss healthcare-associated pathogen transmission, particularly for common, drug-susceptible organisms. It is unclear if prospective genomic analyses can help identify otherwise silent transmission events and inform prevention efforts.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We sequenced methicillin-susceptible <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MSSA) surveillance and clinical isolates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of an academic hospital between February 2022 and March 2024. Insights gleaned from genomic-epidemiologic analyses were used to control a large MSSA cluster and to calibrate infection control measures thereafter.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>There were 2352 babies admitted during the 26-month study period, of whom 318 became colonized or infected with MSSA. Monthly MSSA incidence rates were largely stable throughout this period, but whole genome sequencing demonstrated 16 MSSA clusters (range 2–19 babies/cluster). Sequencing data integrated with epidemiologic analyses informed escalating infection control measures to control a sustained cluster of 19 babies infected with MSSA ST30 (including increased hand hygiene monitoring, enhanced environmental and equipment cleaning, contact precautions, decolonization of MSSA carriers), a subsequent decision against further intensification (foregoing screening all staff members for MSSA carriage), and the subsequent liberalization of some interventions (dropping contact precautions for lower risk babies). While intensified infection control measures controlled the primary ST30 cluster, low-level transmission events (range 2–8 babies) were detected throughout the study period despite those interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretations</h3><div>Integrating prospective genomic and epidemiologic analyses of healthcare-associated pathogens can help identify unrecognized transmission clusters and inform and calibrate infection control response measures.</div></div><div><h3>Summary</h3><div>Prospective genotyping of surveillance and clinical methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates in a neonatal intensive care unit over a 26-month period identified multiple MSSA clusters that were otherwise unappreciated and helped to both catalyze and calibrate infection control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 4","pages":"Article 106607"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as a biomarker in cohorts from the United Kingdom and South Africa","authors":"Louise O. Downs ,&nbsp;Marion Delphin ,&nbsp;Marije van Schalkwyk ,&nbsp;Susan Hugo ,&nbsp;Sheila F. Lumley ,&nbsp;Elizabeth Waddilove ,&nbsp;Tingyan Wang ,&nbsp;Jacqueline Martin ,&nbsp;Catherine de Lara ,&nbsp;Arran Babbs ,&nbsp;Monique I. Andersson ,&nbsp;Richard H. Glashoff ,&nbsp;M. Azim Ansari ,&nbsp;Kosh Agarwal ,&nbsp;Geoffrey Dusheiko ,&nbsp;Jantjie Taljaard ,&nbsp;Wolfgang Preiser ,&nbsp;Eleanor Barnes ,&nbsp;Gavin Kelly ,&nbsp;Ivana Carey ,&nbsp;Philippa C. Matthews","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>We set out to evaluate Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as a proxy for hepatitis B (HBV) viral load (VL) and liver disease in two different population settings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We undertook a cross-sectional retrospective observational study using samples and data from adults living with chronic HBV infection from the United Kingdom (UK, n=142) and South Africa (SA, n=211). We assessed HBcrAg distribution, relationship with other biomarkers, and risk stratification performance, applying point of care test (POCT) thresholds.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>SA and UK cohorts differed by ethnicity, HIV coinfection, HBeAg-positivity and proportion with HBV VL &gt;200,000 IU/ml (all p&lt;0.001). HBcrAg positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (in both settings p&lt;0.01), and fibrosis/cirrhosis by APRI score (p=0.03 in UK, p=0.008 in SA), but not with elastography or FIB-4 scores. HBcrAg ≥4.3 log10U/ml (POCT threshold) was 100% sensitive and 92% specific for predicting VL &gt;200,000 IU/ml in the UK cohort, compared to 94% sensitive and 86% specific in the SA population.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>HBcrAg correlated with VL, but less so with liver disease. Use of this biomarker needs tailoring for use in diverse populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106601"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144922078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular evolutionary insights into the repeated introductions and cryptic transmission of dengue virus in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Muhammad Bashir Bello ,&nbsp;Zainab BuAli ,&nbsp;Nidia S. Trovao ,&nbsp;Safia S. Aljedani ,&nbsp;Abdullah Algaissi ,&nbsp;Khalid J. Shrwani ,&nbsp;Samer Zakari ,&nbsp;Sharif Hala ,&nbsp;Rfeef Alyami ,&nbsp;Mohammad Bosaeed","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106608","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106608","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>To investigate the genetic diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and phylogeography of DENV strains circulating in Saudi Arabia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted serotyping, whole-genome sequencing, and phylogeographic analyses of DENV strains collected across Saudi Arabia between 2021 and 2023. A total of 20 full genomes were successfully obtained: DENV-1 (n = 2), DENV-2 (n = 10), and DENV-3 (n = 8).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Serotyping revealed co-circulation of DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3, with DENV-2 emerging as the predominant serotype. Phylogeographic analysis of whole genomes identified at least five distinct introductions of DENV-2 genotype II into Saudi Arabia, primarily originating from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The earliest introduction was estimated around 13 June 1985 (95% HPD: 5 June 1983 to 11 September 1986). DENV-1 genotype III, undetected for over two decades, re-emerged in Jazan and was likely introduced from Djibouti (TMRCA: 27 July 2018; 95% HPD: 9 December 2017 to 21 March 2019). Two independent introductions of DENV-3 genotype III were identified, originating from Malaysia and India, with TMRCA estimates ranging from 2007 to 2011—indicating at least a decade of undetected circulation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings highlight Saudi Arabia’s evolving role as a regional hub for DENV transmission, driven by mass gatherings and labor migration. Strengthening genomic surveillance, enhancing vector control, and fostering regional data sharing are critical to improving outbreak response and preparedness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106608"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144988183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Norovirus genomes detected from the Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) cases in a community outbreak in Pune, India, 2025","authors":"Mallika Lavania ,&nbsp;Vikas Sharma ,&nbsp;Virendra Kumar Meena,&nbsp;Madhuri Joshi,&nbsp;Varsha Potdar,&nbsp;Veena Vipat,&nbsp;Atul Walimbe,&nbsp;Rishabh Waghchaure,&nbsp;Pooja Umare,&nbsp;Rajlakshmi Vishwanathan,&nbsp;Babasaheb Tandale,&nbsp;Pradeep M. Sawant,&nbsp;Basavaraj Mathapati,&nbsp;Naveen Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106604","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106604","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In 2025, Pune, India, witnessed an unprecedented surge in Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, raising urgent public health concerns. GBS, a rare neurological condition often linked to infections, demanded immediate epidemiological and molecular scrutiny. Evidence from earlier studies points to infectious agents like <em>Campylobacter jejuni</em>, cytomegalovirus, and enteric viruses as common triggers. Environmental conditions and regional pathogen variations were considered potential contributors to the outbreak. To uncover the cause, a broad molecular screening was initiated to detect any known or emerging infectious agents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive molecular screening was conducted for 19 pathogens, including established GBS-linked and enteric pathogens. Advanced genomic techniques, including phylogenetic and mutation analysis, were employed to characterize the detected pathogens.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Two major pathogens, <em>Campylobacter jejuni</em> and Norovirus, were identified by using molecular methods. Whole-genome sequencing of 12 representative strains using a genotyping tool revealed their classification into genogroup II within three major genotypes: GII.16[P16] (n=9, GBS-associated), GII.17[P17] (n=2), and GII.4 Sydney[P16] (n=1). Phylogenetic analysis based on VP1 and RdRp genes confirmed genotyping and revealed that all norovirus strains from GBS patients clustered within a potential distinct Indian sub-lineage, closely related to strains reported from Russia, USA and Germany, suggesting possible global dissemination. The GII.17 strains belonged to the globally dominant Romania-2021-like lineage, while the GII.4 strain clustered with the pandemic Sydney[P16] variants. Mutation analysis revealed genotype-specific patterns. GII.17 strains had the highest number of non-synonymous mutations (&gt;160), mostly in ORF1 (RdRp; RNA-dependent RNA polymerase), suggesting replication adaptation. In contrast, GBS-associated GII.16 strains showed increased mutations in ORF2 (VP1; major capsid protein), likely driven by immune selection pressures.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>These findings highlight the importance of genomic surveillance to identify emerging norovirus lineages and their potential clinical significance. Continued monitoring is vital to understand norovirus evolution and its possible connection to GBS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106604"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The real-world performance of a novel interferon gamma release assay based on fluorescence immunochromatography in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in South China","authors":"Nannan Tian ,&nbsp;Peng Li ,&nbsp;Daichen Ju ,&nbsp;Shengtao Lai ,&nbsp;Jinxing Hu ,&nbsp;Yaoju Tan ,&nbsp;Jialou Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106605","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106605"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term evolution and functional impact of cerebral lesions detected by systematic brain magnetic resonance imaging in patients with infective endocarditis: the POST-IMAGE prospective cohort.","authors":"Guillaume Creuzet, Monique Boukobza, Emila Ilic Habensus, Benoit Lalloue, Marie Préau, Toni Alfaiate, Nathan Peiffer-Smadja, Mikael Mazighi, Sarah Tubiana, Jean-Pierre Laissy, Bernard Iung, Xavier Duval, Romain Sonneville","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106560","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106560","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Systematic brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals lesions in almost all patients with infective endocarditis (IE), but their long-term evolution and clinical impact have not been investigated. We aimed to describe the evolution of cerebral lesions detected by systematic MRI during acute IE and to assess their clinical consequences during follow-up.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a single-center observational prospective study nested into the ECHO-IMAGE cohort, comparing systematic brain MRIs performed during a follow-up visit with those performed during the IE episode. We analyzed cerebral lesions evolution and their association with patients' functional disability, cognitive impairment, depression and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 100 included patients who underwent the follow-up visit after a median of 37 [21-74] months after the initial episode of IE, MRI neurological lesions were found in 80% of cases at follow-up, as compared to 84% during the IE episode. Most of these lesions were stable or decreased over time, except for the number of cerebral microbleeds, which increased significantly. At follow-up, functional disability, cognitive impairment, and depression were observed in 4%, 14%, and 59% of cases, respectively. Quality of life remained significantly altered in 3 dimensions, as compared to a control general French population. No association was found between the presence of cerebral lesions, the severity of IE episode and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cerebral lesions on systematic MRI are frequent during IE, and their evolution is stable over time, with the exception of cerebral microbleeds. We observed no association between cerebral lesions and long-term clinical consequences of IE.</p>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":" ","pages":"106560"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological characteristics and transmission dynamics of epidemic Japanese encephalitis in China: A modeling study","authors":"Xiaoyan Cai ,&nbsp;Xu Wang ,&nbsp;Haobo Ni ,&nbsp;Jiayi Zhou ,&nbsp;Ying Liang ,&nbsp;Yunchong Yao ,&nbsp;Xinyue Fang ,&nbsp;Tingting Dai ,&nbsp;Lingxi Wang ,&nbsp;Ling Fang ,&nbsp;Yi Chen ,&nbsp;Yuyang Wu ,&nbsp;Bo Wu ,&nbsp;Wanna Zhang ,&nbsp;Ruihe Zhang ,&nbsp;Sen Pei ,&nbsp;Xiaobo Liu ,&nbsp;Yuantao Hao ,&nbsp;Pi Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In recent decades, China has experienced successive epidemics of seasonal Japanese encephalitis (JE), with the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) particularly spreading continuously in rural and suburban areas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Nationwide data on 9061 JE cases, mosquito abundance from 89 surveillance sites, and population movement between 337 cities during 2013–19 were obtained. Seasonal multivariate linear regression models including time trends and reconciliation terms representing annual and semiannual cycles were fitted to the weekly time series of JE cases, and the amplitude and peak time of the cycles were estimated. A metapopulation network model of inter-city population mobility coupled with an iterative Bayesian inference algorithm was established to simulate the epidemic dynamics of JEV and estimate the time-varying transmission parameters.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The timing of the annual peak of JEV epidemics varied with latitude (<em>p</em>-value &lt; 0.05), mainly characterized by earlier in southern cities and later in northern cities. There was no significant difference in the annual amplitude fluctuations of JEV epidemics in different latitudes (<em>p</em>-value &gt; 0.05). Regions with higher values of effective reproduction number <em>R</em>_<em>eff</em> were mainly concentrated in central China, including Sichuan, Chongqing and Shaanxi provinces, with the annual activity peak typically occurring around August. Infections caused by population mobility mainly occurred in hub cities with high connectivity and radiated to surrounding cities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Findings from this nationwide study can help enhance situational awareness of the spread of JE and inform appropriate intervention strategies to advance the goal of JE elimination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106609"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic evidence supports trialling IL-6 inhibition in influenza","authors":"Jack Stanley,&nbsp;David Arnold,&nbsp;Fergus Hamilton","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106606","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106606","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 4","pages":"Article 106606"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Humoral and T-cell responses following MVA-BN booster vaccination against mpox virus clades Ib and IIb","authors":"Mazzotta Valentina,&nbsp;Matusali Giulia,&nbsp;Cimini Eleonora,&nbsp;Caioli Alessandro,&nbsp;Esvan Rozenn,&nbsp;Colavita Francesca,&nbsp;Tartaglia Eleonora,&nbsp;Paulicelli Jessica,&nbsp;Micheli Giulia,&nbsp;Bettini Aurora,&nbsp;Notari Stefania,&nbsp;Giacinta Alessandro,&nbsp;Bordi Licia,&nbsp;Gili Simona,&nbsp;Siddu Andrea,&nbsp;Girardi Enrico,&nbsp;Maggi Fabrizio ,&nbsp;Antinori Andrea","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106602","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106602"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cefiderocol resistance surveillance needs deepening: Regional stratification, expanded KPC sampling, and dynamic mechanism tracking","authors":"Yi Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106603","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"91 3","pages":"Article 106603"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144902319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}