📄 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

Streptococcus agalactiae, a frequent but not so well-known cause of bone and joint infections: a Multicentric observational study 2014-23

This multicentric observational study of 1,454 adults with bone and joint infections reveals that *Streptococcus agalactiae* is the predominant streptococcal species involved, accounting for 29% of cases and being specifically associated with risk factors such as arteriopathy, obesity, and diabetes, as well as a higher prevalence of chronic lower-limb and diabetic foot infections.

Jamard, S., Le Moal, g., Plouzeau-Jayle, c., Arvieux, C., Ressier, S., Lecomte, r., Corvec, S., Ansart, S., Lamoureux, C (…)2026-03-31
📄 infectious diseases

Genomic Epidemiology to Investigate the Origins and Zoonotic Implications of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli on Beef and Lamb Meat Sold by Independent Butchers in Wales

This genomic epidemiology study of meat from independent Welsh butchers reveals that antibiotic-resistant *E. coli* on beef and lamb primarily originates from faecal contamination at slaughter, with minimal evidence of direct zoonotic transmission to humans causing extraintestinal infections in the region.

Sealey, J. E., Peltonen, N., Llamazares, B., Moiseienko, Y., Mounsey, O., Taylor, J., Wright, L., Williams, P., Avison (…)2026-03-31
📄 infectious diseases

Incidence, Clinical Features, and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Adults and Children Admitted with Dengue Infection in Jamaica

This single-center retrospective study in Jamaica found that acute kidney injury affects 25.8% of adults and children hospitalized with dengue infection, with higher incidence in adults and associations linked to older age, male sex, elevated bilirubin, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, highlighting the need for improved early recognition and vector control.

Wilson, T., Walker, J., Thomas-Chen, R., Fisher, L. A.2026-03-28
📄 infectious diseases

Enhancing, controlling, and sterilizing dengue immunity and the development of broadly protective responses

This phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates that controlled human challenge with dengue virus reveals how pre-existing antibody profiles, particularly those targeting non-structural protein 1, dictate infection outcomes by either driving pathogenic enhancement or enabling sterilizing immunity through balanced, enduring T and B cell responses.

Odio, C. D., Aogo, R. A., Firdous, S., Voirin, C., Blanco-Rivera, S., Lowman, K. E., Asante, N., Broderson, Y., Konda, K (…)2026-03-27
📄 infectious diseases

Unveiling the hidden threat: the impact of sub-optimum treatment on acquired immunity, asymptomatic cases, and malaria dynamics

This study utilizes a mathematical model fitted to Kenyan and Nigerian data to demonstrate that sub-optimum malaria treatment significantly amplifies asymptomatic transmission and disease burden, whereas shifting to optimum treatment could avert over one-third of infections and deaths while saving approximately $12 million annually.

Taboe, H. B., Sin, M. Y., Pratt, M., Rush, E. J., Mbogo, C., Feldman, O. P., Zhao, R., Ngonghala, C. N.2026-03-26
📄 infectious diseases

AGREEMENT AND ERROR RATES IN ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING FOR THREE COMMERCIAL AUTOMATED SYSTEMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 studies found that while the BD Phoenix, Vitek 2, and MicroScan automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems generally demonstrate comparable overall performance, the Vitek 2 system exhibits a significantly higher rate of very major errors compared to MicroScan, with error patterns varying by organism type and susceptibility criteria.

Van Benten, K. R., Cooper, L., Kirby, K., Kruer, S., Byron, K.2026-03-26
📄 infectious diseases

Household Size and Age as Primary Drivers of COVID-19 Infection Among Priority Populations in Australia

This study of a Victorian cohort of priority populations reveals that younger age and larger household size, rather than culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) status or socioeconomic factors, were the primary drivers of COVID-19 infection risk, highlighting the need for pandemic policies focused on housing density and protections for younger essential workers.

Narayanasamy, S., Altermatt, A., Tse, W. C., Gibbs, L., Wilkinson, A., Heath, K., Stoove, M., Scott, N., Gibney, K., Hel (…)2026-03-25
📄 infectious diseases

Transmission of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: a prospective genomic epidemiology study

This prospective genomic epidemiology study in Ho Chi Minh City reveals that the majority of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis cases are driven by the ongoing transmission of already-resistant strains rather than *de novo* resistance acquisition, highlighting the need for strategies that combine early diagnosis to interrupt transmission with efforts to identify and control the drivers of newly acquired resistance.

Spies, R., Hanh, N. H., Phu, P. T., Lan, L. K., Lan, K., Hue, N. N., Quang, N. L., Thu, D. D. A., Huong, N. T. L., Thao (…)2026-03-24
📄 infectious diseases

Plasma proteomics identifies early markers of endothelial and inflammatory activation associated with dengue disease severity in children

This study utilizes plasma proteomics and machine learning to identify early biomarkers, such as PTX3 and CLEC11A, that distinguish subclinical from severe dengue cases in children by revealing early endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory activation.

Shamorkina, T. M., Kalaidopoulou Nteak, S., Lay, S., Kallor, A. A., Ly, S., Duong, V., Heck, A. J. R., Cantaert, T., Sni (…)2026-03-23
📄 infectious diseases

Pattern of rpoB gene mutations among Mycobacterium tuberculosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a five year hospital based study

This five-year hospital-based study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reveals a low but steady rate of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (2.3%) driven primarily by primary transmission of strains harboring the codon 526 rpoB mutation, underscoring the urgent need to shift from reactive clinical management to proactive public health strategies like universal drug susceptibility testing and enhanced contact tracing.

Woldesenbet, Z., Sisay, A., Desta, A. F.2026-03-20