📄 Category

infectious diseases

242 papers

Infectious diseases represent one of the most dynamic frontiers in global health, covering everything from seasonal flu outbreaks to emerging viral threats that cross borders. This field focuses on how pathogens spread, how our immune systems respond, and the strategies scientists use to stop infections before they become epidemics. Because the science moves fast, waiting for traditional publication often means missing critical insights that could save lives.

At Gist.Science, we process every new preprint in this category directly from medRxiv to ensure you see the latest findings the moment they appear. Our team transforms these raw studies into both accessible plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries, bridging the gap between complex research and public understanding. Below are the latest papers in infectious diseases, updated daily with fresh insights from the global research community.

📄 infectious diseases

Genomic epidemiology as a tool for understanding drivers of hepatitis A community outbreaks in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

This study utilizes whole-genome sequencing and open-source genotyping tools to demonstrate that the 2018 and 2023 hepatitis A outbreaks in Massachusetts and New Hampshire were driven by distinct viral strains, revealing complex transmission patterns linked to homelessness and drug use that cross state borders and risk factor categories, thereby highlighting the value of genomic epidemiology in guiding public health interventions.

Krasilnikova, L. A., Bouton, L., Brock-Fisher, T. M., Decker, E., Godec, M., Thompson, Z., Dart, E., Gao, F., Gladden-Yo (…)2026-11-04
📄 infectious diseases

Implementation of an Intervention to Improve Blood Culture Stewardship in 14 Adult ICUs and Wards.

This pragmatic quality improvement initiative across 14 adult units in seven US hospitals demonstrated that a multifaceted blood culture stewardship intervention, including an evidence-based algorithm and regular feedback, successfully reduced unnecessary testing in some settings, with success factors identified through coincidence analysis including perceived algorithm usability and active nurse involvement.

Fabre, V., Hsu, Y.-J., Xie, A., Salinas, A. B., Beccar-Varela, P., Martinez, V., Degnan, K. O., Gettler, E. B., Glaser (…)2026-11-01
📄 infectious diseases

Clinical Evaluation of the PANDAA Lassa Virus RT-PCR Assay in Sierra Leone

This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of the single-reaction PANDAA Lassa Virus RT-PCR assay against the dual-target RealStar kit using 94 archived Sierra Leone serum samples, finding substantial agreement (87.34%) that supports its potential as a more efficient diagnostic tool pending further optimization.

Grant, D. S., Thompson, C. R., Sandi, J., Manjia, M., Kallon, T., Kamara, M. S., Fofanah, I., Edwards, T. R., Fletcher (…)2026-11-01
📄 infectious diseases

Agreement of abdominal palpation with point-of-care ultrasound for hepatosplenic organomegaly: a cross-sectional, population-based study in schistosomiasis-endemic settings of rural Uganda

In a population-based study in rural Uganda, standardised abdominal palpation demonstrated high specificity but low sensitivity for detecting ultrasound-defined hepatosplenic enlargement, indicating it cannot replace ultrasound for comprehensive diagnosis but may still serve as a useful triage tool for identifying severe splenomegaly and other clinical signs in resource-constrained, schistosomiasis-endemic settings.

Isaiah, P. M., Ockenden, E. S., Puthur, C., Nabatte, B., Oryema, J. B., Kyarisiima, H., Beinamaryo, P., Anguajibi, V., M (…)2026-11-01
📄 infectious diseases

Identifying shared and parasite-specific determinants of Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma mansoni co-infection in a large-scale community-based study in rural Uganda

This large-scale study in rural Uganda utilized a bivariate copula model to demonstrate that while shared factors like age, gender, and distance to healthcare drive *Plasmodium falciparum* and *Schistosoma mansoni* co-infection, opposing ecological determinants necessitate a dual strategy of integrated control for common risks and targeted interventions for parasite-specific transmission.

Lang, M. M., Tuhaise, V., Asiimwe, E., Bogere, R., Mohamed, A., Isma, B., Batte, J. D., Nabatte, B., Kabatereine, N. B. (…)2026-10-31
📄 infectious diseases

Comparative immunogenicity of several inactivated influenza vaccines among healthcare workers in Hong Kong

A study of healthcare workers in Hong Kong during the 2025/26 season found that three licensed egg-based inactivated influenza vaccines (TetrAnflu, Fluarix Tetra, and Vaxigrip) demonstrated comparable immunogenicity, supporting their interchangeability in seasonal vaccination programs.

Lim, W. W., Touyon, L., Mak, L., Lau, Y. C., Cheng, S. M. S., Ip, D. K. M., Peiris, M., Cowling, B. J., Wong, S.-S.2026-10-30
📄 infectious diseases

Design and evaluation of probe-capture sequencing for clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae specimens

This study demonstrates that a custom-designed probe-capture sequencing method effectively enriches *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* DNA from complex clinical urine samples, enabling high-quality, culture-independent genome assembly and resistance detection to support epidemiological surveillance and public health interventions.

Singh, A., Gontjes, K. J., Badri Narayanan, D., Won, P. M., Brunelle, B. W., Green, S. J., Popovich, K. J., Snitkin, E. (…)2026-10-30
📄 infectious diseases

More Shots on Goal: Heterologous Influenza Prime-Boost Vaccination Decreases the Likelihood of a Negligible Antibody Response to Current or Historical Variants

This phase 4 clinical trial demonstrates that a heterologous prime-boost influenza vaccination strategy effectively halts antibody waning and significantly reduces the rate of non-responders to current and historical strains compared to single-dose or homologous boosting, likely by overcoming immune imprinting limitations.

Orsinelli-Rivers, S., Ross, T. M., Einav, T.2026-10-30
📄 infectious diseases

Establishing a blood-stage controlled human malaria infection model with Plasmodium falciparum in healthy semi-immune Tanzanian adults

This study establishes the safety and feasibility of a blood-stage controlled human malaria infection model using *Plasmodium falciparum* in semi-immune Tanzanian adults, demonstrating that higher pre-existing immunity correlates with delayed parasitaemia detection and reduced adverse events compared to malaria-unexposed populations.

Silk, S. E., Salkeld, J., Hassan, O., Balige, N., Mohamed, L., Milando, F., Barrett, J. R., Ahmed, S., Kahatano, A.-E. (…)2026-10-29