infectious diseases 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

Exploring the role of social networks in shaping STI disclosure among adolescents and young people using a health behavioral model in Lusaka, Zambia.

This qualitative study in Lusaka, Zambia, utilizes the COM-B model to reveal that adolescents' and young people's decisions to disclose STI status are shaped by a complex interplay of limited knowledge, service accessibility, stigma, and social support, highlighting the need for interventions that address both individual and community-level barriers.

Witola, G., Inambwae, S., Silumbwe, A., Belemu, S., Phiri, G., Sigande, L., Ayles, H., Simwinga, M., Hensen, B., Phiri (…)2026-09-18

📄 infectious diseases

Evidence for cross-reactivity and protection against Bundibugyo virus disease after heterologous vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence that existing Ebola vaccines, particularly Ervebo, induce cross-reactive antibodies and offer partial protection against Bundibugyo virus in animal models, though further clinical data are urgently needed to confirm their efficacy for human use.

Stadler, E., Csolle, M., Mitchell, A., Egilmezer, E., Elias, K. M., Bailey, B. A., Cromer, D., Turner, T., Khoury, D. S. (…)2026-09-15

📄 infectious diseases

Factors associated with a willingness to accept latent tuberculosis infection treatment among non-U.S.-born individuals: a situational choice experiment

This study utilizes a situational choice experiment among non-U.S.-born adults in San Francisco to demonstrate that willingness to accept latent tuberculosis infection treatment is significantly driven by perceived progression risk, while being substantially reduced by concerns regarding side effects, out-of-pocket costs, and reinfection risks, thereby highlighting the need for shared decision-making that addresses these specific barriers.

Chou, S., Aschmann, H. E., Tang, A., Lee, M., Dong, Z., Lui, K., Ouyang, Y., Chen, G., Salcedo, K. L., Murrill, M. T., R (…)2026-09-12

📄 infectious diseases

First Detection of WHO-validated artemisinin resistance Plasmodium falciparum K13 C469Y mutation in patient from Senegal.

This study reports the first detection of the WHO-validated artemisinin resistance-associated K13 C469Y mutation in a locally acquired Plasmodium falciparum infection in Senegal, highlighting the critical need for enhanced molecular surveillance to monitor emerging drug resistance despite the patient's successful recovery.

Gaye, A., Ngom, B., Sow, D., Sene, A., Toure, M., Tine, A., Ndiaye, Y. D., Dieye, B., Diongue, K., Diedhiou, Y., Ndiaye (…)2026-09-11

📄 infectious diseases

Soil-transmitted helminth reinfection after anthelmintic treatment in schools with improved versus unimproved WASH infrastructure in Mozambique: a prospective cohort study.

A prospective cohort study in Mozambique found that despite effective anthelmintic treatment, soil-transmitted helminth reinfection rates over seven months were unexpectedly higher among school-aged children attending schools with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure compared to those with unimproved facilities, suggesting that infrastructure-based classifications may not accurately reflect true exposure or behavioral risks.

Novela, V., Messa, A., Fleitas, P. E., Grau-Pujol, B., Gandasegui, J., Sacoor, C., Cossa, A., Muchisse, O., Jamine, J. C (…)2026-09-08

📄 infectious diseases

Avidity as a marker of protection against hepatitis E during a genotype 1 outbreak in South Sudan

In a genotype 1 hepatitis E outbreak in South Sudan, IgG avidity testing revealed that prior natural immunity is strongly protective against disease, with the majority of cases occurring in previously uninfected individuals and reinfections being rare and less likely to result in viremia.

Bionda Valera, C. B. G., Alvarez, C., Dighe, A., Ciglenecki, I., Eckerle, I., Nesbitt, R. C., Sarmiento, Y., Gignoux, E. (…)2026-09-07

📄 infectious diseases

Female contraceptive cover duration for miltefosine-containing regimens for the treatment of women with leishmaniasis

This study utilizes an exposure margin-based approach to demonstrate that the required duration of contraceptive coverage for women of childbearing potential treated with miltefosine can be safely reduced from the current five-month recommendation to three, four, or five months depending on the specific treatment regimen length.

Chu, W.-Y., Alves, F., Dorlo, T. P. C.2026-09-02

📄 infectious diseases

Types, Subtypes and Positivity Rates of Seasonal Influenza in Uganda, 2019-2023

This study analyzes seasonal influenza data from Uganda between 2019 and 2023, revealing a 5% overall positivity rate with bimodal peaks, higher prevalence in males and children aged 5–9, and a predominance of Influenza A (specifically H3N2) that declined over time, underscoring the need for sustained surveillance and targeted interventions.

Nankya, M. A., Owor, N., Kayiwa, J. T., Lutwama, J. J., Gidudu, S., Bahizi, G., Ario, A. R.2026-09-01

📄 infectious diseases

Clinical evaluation of artificial intelligence for diagnostics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

This study prospectively evaluated an AI model trained on European surveillance data for predicting antibiotic susceptibility in clinical *E. coli* urine isolates, finding that while the model showed promising performance, its clinical utility is currently limited by significant error rates and the need for additional diagnostic data beyond standard susceptibility and demographic results.

Hessel, M., Inda Diaz, J. S., Sjöberg, A., Salva-Serra, F., Helldal, L., Jirstrand, M., Johnning, A., Kristiansson, E. (…)2026-08-31

📄 infectious diseases

Characterizing the Burden of Scrub Typhus in Nepalese Children using Representative School-Based Cross-Sectional Serosurveys

This study utilized representative school-based serosurveys in Nepal to reveal a substantial burden of pediatric scrub typhus, characterized by an overall seroincidence of 6.3 new infections per 1,000 person-years that increases with age and is higher among females.

Naga, S. R., Shahi, S. B., Gosai, S., Maharjan, M., Katuwal, N., Morrison, E., Andrews, J., Shrestha, R., Tamrakar, D. (…)2026-08-31