Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106676
Rofhiwa Nesamari , Carol Crowther , Dexter T. Chiveto , Thanusha Pillay , Prudence Kgagudi , Nomcebo Shusha , Nelia Manamela , Helen C. Steel , Mieke A. van der Mescht , Nevilene Slingers , Lee-Ann Davids , Khanyisile Tshabalala , Veronica Ueckermann , Ishen Seocharan , Tarylee Reddy , Simone I. Richardson , Thandeka Moyo-Gwete , Fareed Abdullah , Penny L. Moore , Theresa M. Rossouw
Background
People living with HIV (PLWH) who experience advanced immunosuppression are susceptible to severe COVID-19 and demonstrate compromised vaccine responses due to low CD4 counts and uncontrolled HIV viral load. Although vaccine boosters enhance immunity in the general population, their immunogenicity in individuals with advanced HIV remains inadequately characterised.
Methods
This study evaluated the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in 41 individuals with advanced HIV at baseline and 4 weeks post-vaccination. Binding antibodies, neutralising antibodies, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), as well as spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were quantified and characterised.
Results
Booster vaccination was found to increase binding antibody titres (8.0-fold) and neutralising activity (3.9-fold), even among participants with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm³, although absolute responses remained lower than the controls. ADCC activity also modestly increased post-vaccination (2.1-fold). Spike-specific CD4+ T-cell responses increased in magnitude (0.001% to 0.160%, p=0.0001) and responder frequency (49% to 83%, p=0.0167) post-vaccination, while CD8+ T-cell responses remained low. Compared to the controls, PLWH had similar magnitudes of spike-specific CD4+ T-cell responses but significantly lower CD8+ T-cell responses.
Conclusion
COVID-19 vaccine boosters enhance immunity in PLWH, however, the responses remain suboptimal compared to immunocompetent individuals, emphasising the need for tailored vaccination strategies.
{"title":"Humoral and cellular immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in participants with advanced HIV disease","authors":"Rofhiwa Nesamari , Carol Crowther , Dexter T. Chiveto , Thanusha Pillay , Prudence Kgagudi , Nomcebo Shusha , Nelia Manamela , Helen C. Steel , Mieke A. van der Mescht , Nevilene Slingers , Lee-Ann Davids , Khanyisile Tshabalala , Veronica Ueckermann , Ishen Seocharan , Tarylee Reddy , Simone I. Richardson , Thandeka Moyo-Gwete , Fareed Abdullah , Penny L. Moore , Theresa M. Rossouw","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>People living with HIV (PLWH) who experience advanced immunosuppression are susceptible to severe COVID-19 and demonstrate compromised vaccine responses due to low CD4 counts and uncontrolled HIV viral load. Although vaccine boosters enhance immunity in the general population, their immunogenicity in individuals with advanced HIV remains inadequately characterised.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study evaluated the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccine boosters in 41 individuals with advanced HIV at baseline and 4 weeks post-vaccination. Binding antibodies, neutralising antibodies, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), as well as spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were quantified and characterised.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Booster vaccination was found to increase binding antibody titres (8.0-fold) and neutralising activity (3.9-fold), even among participants with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm³, although absolute responses remained lower than the controls. ADCC activity also modestly increased post-vaccination (2.1-fold). Spike-specific CD4+ T-cell responses increased in magnitude (0.001% to 0.160%, p=0.0001) and responder frequency (49% to 83%, p=0.0167) post-vaccination, while CD8+ T-cell responses remained low. Compared to the controls, PLWH had similar magnitudes of spike-specific CD4+ T-cell responses but significantly lower CD8+ T-cell responses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>COVID-19 vaccine boosters enhance immunity in PLWH, however, the responses remain suboptimal compared to immunocompetent individuals, emphasising the need for tailored vaccination strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106676"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145946781","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":"Comment on: Detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus RNA in patient samples at different stages of infection","authors":"Xiaoli Jiang, Mei Cha, Qin Zhang, Wenxu Yang, Erdan Luo, Wenjie Qing","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106687","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106687"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145946775","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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106668
Berit Lange , Thomas Theo Brehm , Sandra M. Arend , Miguel Arias-Guillén , Marleen Bakker , Cristina Berastegui , Maaz Babiker , Rawya Charif , Raquel Duarte , Holger Flick , Regina W. Hofland , Joanna Ismail , Daniela Kniepeiss , Jessica Krepel , Nithya Krishnan , Dora L. Kuijpers , Heinke Kunst , Frank van Leth , Visnja Lezaic , Ibai Los-Arcos , Martina Sester
Background
Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients face elevated tuberculosis risk, yet optimal prevention strategies in low- to medium-incidence regions remain unclear.
Methods
We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of adult SOT recipients transplanted between 2007 and 2012 at 15 European centers, with follow-up through 2018. The primary outcome was microbiologically confirmed post-transplant tuberculosis. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 person-years; standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) used World Health Organization country-specific background rates. Cox models assessed risk factors.
Results
Among 5805 patients (median age 51; 62.7% male; 73.9% renal transplants), 33.8% were tested for tuberculosis infection and 10.3% received tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT). Over 33,785 person-years, 23 patients (0.4%) developed tuberculosis (68.0/100,000 person-years). Highest incidence occurred in patients with positive screening but no TPT (233.8/100,000). Incidence was higher in Southern vs. Central Europe (251.9 vs. 28.7/100,000), with pooled SIRs of 12.8 and 3.1, respectively. Tuberculosis risk was elevated among Southern European recipients (HR 22.9) and those with migration history (HR 2.7).
Conclusion
Tuberculosis risk is increased in European SOT recipients. Regionally adapted prevention strategies, including targeted screening in low-incidence areas and universal screening in higher-incidence regions, are warranted.
背景:实体器官移植(SOT)受者面临更高的结核病风险,但在中低发病率地区的最佳预防策略仍不清楚。方法:我们在欧洲15个中心进行了一项多中心回顾性队列研究,研究对象为2007-2012年间移植的成人SOT受体,随访至2018年。主要结果为微生物学证实的移植后结核。计算每10万人年的发病率;标准化发病率(SIRs)采用世界卫生组织国家特定背景率。Cox模型评估了危险因素。结果:5805例患者(中位年龄51岁,男性62.7%,肾移植73.9%)中,33.8%的患者接受了结核病感染检测,10.3%的患者接受了结核病预防治疗(TPT)。超过33,785人年,23名患者(0.4%)发展为结核病(68.0/100,000人年)。筛查阳性但未接受TPT的患者发病率最高(233.8/10万)。南欧的发病率高于中欧(251.9 vs 28.7/100,000),合并SIRs分别为12.8和3.1。南欧接受者(风险比22.9)和有移民史者(风险比2.7)的结核病风险升高。结论:欧洲SOT受者结核病风险增加。有必要采取适应区域的预防战略,包括在低发病率地区进行有针对性的筛查,在高发病率地区进行普遍筛查。
{"title":"Tuberculosis incidence in solid organ transplant recipients in Europe: A multicenter TBnet cohort study","authors":"Berit Lange , Thomas Theo Brehm , Sandra M. Arend , Miguel Arias-Guillén , Marleen Bakker , Cristina Berastegui , Maaz Babiker , Rawya Charif , Raquel Duarte , Holger Flick , Regina W. Hofland , Joanna Ismail , Daniela Kniepeiss , Jessica Krepel , Nithya Krishnan , Dora L. Kuijpers , Heinke Kunst , Frank van Leth , Visnja Lezaic , Ibai Los-Arcos , Martina Sester","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients face elevated tuberculosis risk, yet optimal prevention strategies in low- to medium-incidence regions remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of adult SOT recipients transplanted between 2007 and 2012 at 15 European centers, with follow-up through 2018. The primary outcome was microbiologically confirmed post-transplant tuberculosis. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 person-years; standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) used World Health Organization country-specific background rates. Cox models assessed risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 5805 patients (median age 51; 62.7% male; 73.9% renal transplants), 33.8% were tested for tuberculosis infection and 10.3% received tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT). Over 33,785 person-years, 23 patients (0.4%) developed tuberculosis (68.0/100,000 person-years). Highest incidence occurred in patients with positive screening but no TPT (233.8/100,000). Incidence was higher in Southern vs. Central Europe (251.9 vs. 28.7/100,000), with pooled SIRs of 12.8 and 3.1, respectively. Tuberculosis risk was elevated among Southern European recipients (HR 22.9) and those with migration history (HR 2.7).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Tuberculosis risk is increased in European SOT recipients. Regionally adapted prevention strategies, including targeted screening in low-incidence areas and universal screening in higher-incidence regions, are warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 1","pages":"Article 106668"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145812290","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106673
Mengyang Guo, Siyu Chen, Qinghong Meng, Limin Dong, Kaihu Yao
{"title":"Absence of M1UK and circulation of M1global among GAS populations in Chinese mainland","authors":"Mengyang Guo, Siyu Chen, Qinghong Meng, Limin Dong, Kaihu Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106673","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106673"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145890381","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106671
Leran He , Siyu Chen , Qinghong Meng, Dan Yu, Kaihu Yao
{"title":"The rapid decline in cases argues against improved surveillance as the main cause of 2024 pertussis outbreak in China","authors":"Leran He , Siyu Chen , Qinghong Meng, Dan Yu, Kaihu Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106671","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106671"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145890414","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106672
Tomasz Wybranowski, Marta Napiórkowska-Mastalerz, Kamila Dybowska, Ewa Żekanowska, Stefan Kruszewski, Grzegorz Przybylski
{"title":"Butyrylcholinesterase as an overlooked prognostic biomarker of 100-day mortality in non-COVID CAP","authors":"Tomasz Wybranowski, Marta Napiórkowska-Mastalerz, Kamila Dybowska, Ewa Żekanowska, Stefan Kruszewski, Grzegorz Przybylski","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106672","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106672"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145890321","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}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106669
Thi Cam Tu Ha , Sheila Orwa , Sandra Guedes , Kelle Moley , Kristin Wannerberger , Anders Elfvin , Martin J. Blaser , Unnur Gudnadottir , Nele Brusselaers
Objectives
To examine the association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease within 4 weeks postpartum.
Methods
We conducted a population-based cohort study including all singleton live births in Sweden from 2006 to 2016, using national registers. Neonates were classified by prenatal antibiotic exposure status, and GBS disease was ascertained within four weeks postpartum. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression with a robust variance estimator. Effect heterogeneity by GBS risk factors was evaluated, and potential confounding by indication was assessed by additional adjustment for these risk factors.
Results
Among 1,095,644 liveborn singletons, 24.5% were exposed to antibiotics. GBS incidence was higher among exposed neonates than unexposed (0.86 vs. 0.66 per 1000 live births; aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10–1.50), particularly among neonates without GBS risk factors (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12–1.60). The strongest association occurred with early third-trimester exposure (aOR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.17–2.38). Associations for antibiotics given within four weeks of delivery attenuated after adjustment for GBS risk factors.
Conclusions
Prenatal antibiotic exposure can raise GBS risk within 4 weeks postpartum, especially in neonates not covered by risk-based intrapartum prophylaxis, with the early third-trimester being a critical window of susceptibility.
{"title":"Antibiotic use during pregnancy and neonatal Group B Streptococcus disease","authors":"Thi Cam Tu Ha , Sheila Orwa , Sandra Guedes , Kelle Moley , Kristin Wannerberger , Anders Elfvin , Martin J. Blaser , Unnur Gudnadottir , Nele Brusselaers","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To examine the association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease within 4 weeks postpartum.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a population-based cohort study including all singleton live births in Sweden from 2006 to 2016, using national registers. Neonates were classified by prenatal antibiotic exposure status, and GBS disease was ascertained within four weeks postpartum. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using multivariable logistic regression with a robust variance estimator. Effect heterogeneity by GBS risk factors was evaluated, and potential confounding by indication was assessed by additional adjustment for these risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 1,095,644 liveborn singletons, 24.5% were exposed to antibiotics. GBS incidence was higher among exposed neonates than unexposed (0.86 vs. 0.66 per 1000 live births; aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10–1.50), particularly among neonates without GBS risk factors (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12–1.60). The strongest association occurred with early third-trimester exposure (aOR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.17–2.38). Associations for antibiotics given within four weeks of delivery attenuated after adjustment for GBS risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Prenatal antibiotic exposure can raise GBS risk within 4 weeks postpartum, especially in neonates not covered by risk-based intrapartum prophylaxis, with the early third-trimester being a critical window of susceptibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106669"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145879442","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":"Comment on “Tuberculosis incidence in solid organ transplant recipients in Europe: A multicenter TBnet cohort study”","authors":"Kanishka Harariya, Thakur Rohit Singh, Ankita Kalra, Swarupanjali Padhi, Fayaz Ahamed","doi":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106670","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50180,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection","volume":"92 2","pages":"Article 106670"},"PeriodicalIF":11.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145858917","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}