In this post, we will be taking a closer look at some of the most popular infectious disease-related articles recently published across medical journals.

Early influenza virus exposure shapes the B cell response to influenza vaccination in individuals 50 years later

  • Immunity
  • March 2025
  • The presence of pre-existing immunity has a significant impact on how vaccines respond to influenza. However, establishing a direct connection between early-life influenza infections and immune responses decades later can be challenging. In 1968, the H2N2 virus ceased circulating in the human population, presenting a unique opportunity to study the effects of early exposure to H2N2 on vaccine responses 50 years later.
  • In this study, individuals who were born before 1968 (H2 exposed) or after 1968 (H2 naive) were vaccinated with an H2 hemagglutinin (HA) DNA plasmid and/or a ferritin nanoparticle vaccine. It was found that H2-exposed individuals exhibited a rapid B cell recall response that was more robust, targeted more conserved epitopes, and displayed distinct phenotypic characteristics compared to the de novo response in H2-naive individuals. Additionally, the type of vaccine administered (DNA versus protein nanoparticle) had differing effects on the response in H2-naive individuals, but not in H2-exposed individuals. This study sheds light on the long-lasting impact of influenza HA-specific memory B cells that are formed early in life on vaccine responses many years later.
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Microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: mechanisms of disease and therapeutic opportunities

  • Nature Reviews Microbiology
  • March 2025
  • Disturbances in the intestinal microbiome have been strongly associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The gut microbiome is a complex community consisting of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms can have various effects on the host, potentially leading to inflammation. Recent advancements in screening techniques, multiomics, and experimental methods have provided valuable insights into the interactions between the host and the microbiota in IBD. These studies have identified numerous mechanisms through which the microbiota and its byproducts can significantly impact the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Looking ahead, the microbiome and microbiota-related processes hold great promise for the development of innovative diagnostic, therapeutic, and dietary interventions for managing IBD. By leveraging carefully designed microbial communities and potent bacterial and fungal metabolites, either individually or in combination, it may be possible to promote intestinal health effectively. In this comprehensive review, the authors delve into the current knowledge surrounding the multi-kingdom gut microbiome in IBD, with a specific focus on bacterial and fungal components and metabolites. They explore potential therapeutic and diagnostic avenues, microbial metabolism, immune responses, neuroimmunology, and microbiome-inspired interventions to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify new research and treatment prospects for IBD.
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Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of candidiasis: an initiative of the ECMM in cooperation with ISHAM and ASM

  • The Lancet Infectious Diseases
  • February 2025
  • Disturbances in the intestinal microbiome have been strongly associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The gut microbiome is a complex community consisting of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms can have various effects on the host, potentially leading to inflammation. Recent advancements in screening techniques, multiomics, and experimental methods have provided valuable insights into the interactions between the host and the microbiota in IBD. These studies have identified numerous mechanisms through which the microbiota and its byproducts can significantly impact the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Looking ahead, the microbiome and microbiota-related processes hold great promise for the development of innovative diagnostic, therapeutic, and dietary interventions for managing IBD. By leveraging carefully designed microbial communities and potent bacterial and fungal metabolites, either individually or in combination, it may be possible to promote intestinal health effectively. In this comprehensive review, the authors delve into the current knowledge surrounding the multi-kingdom gut microbiome in IBD, with a specific focus on bacterial and fungal components and metabolites. They explore potential therapeutic and diagnostic avenues, microbial metabolism, immune responses, neuroimmunology, and microbiome-inspired interventions to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify new research and treatment prospects for IBD.
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Osmotic stress influences microtubule drug response via WNK1 kinase signaling

  • Drug resistance updates
  • March 2025
  • Maintaining proper ion balance within cells is crucial for a variety of cellular functions, and disruptions in this balance can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. In fact, targeting ion balance has emerged as a potential strategy for treating cancer. Despite this, there is a lack of understanding regarding how ion balance influences the response to anticancer drugs. In a recent genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 resistance drug screen, we have identified and confirmed that the WNK1 kinase, a key regulator of osmotic stress, plays a significant role in modulating the response to the mitotic inhibitor rigosertib. Interestingly, both osmotic stress and inactivation of WNK1 have been shown to alter the response not only to rigosertib but also to other drugs that target microtubules. This alteration minimizes the typical mitotic arrest induced by these compounds.
  • These findings suggest that the changes in response are linked to shifts in microtubule stability and polymerization dynamics, likely influenced by fluctuations in intracellular molecular crowding following WNK1 inactivation. This altered response leads to resistance to drugs that depolymerize microtubules, while increasing sensitivity to drugs that stabilize microtubules.
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Nutritional optimization of fecal microbiota transplantation in humans: a scoping review

  • Gut Microbes
  • January 2025
  • Diet plays a crucial role in providing nutrients to gut microbes, making it a key factor in shaping the gut microbiome. While fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is gaining recognition as a promising therapy for various diseases, the potential impact of diet on optimizing this therapy is often overlooked. This scoping review aims to explore the existing literature on pre- and post-FMT dietary intake in humans, identify research gaps, and offer recommendations for future studies. A thorough search strategy was developed and implemented across five databases to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving adults who underwent FMT for any recognized treatment indication and included dietary intake as a study objective, encompassing interventions involving foods and dietary supplements. Out of 7721 articles initially screened, 18 met the criteria for inclusion in this review.
  • Although the studies varied in their methodologies, collectively they provide valuable insights into the nutritional considerations for both FMT donors and recipients during the peri-FMT period. This review synthesizes these findings and underscores the potential for developing precision nutrition strategies based on FMT to enhance its clinical effectiveness.
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Lack of correlation between school reopening and trends in adult COVID-19 hospitalisations and death rates during the Delta and early Omicron periods: An ecological analysis of five countries

  • Journal of Infection
  • February 2025
  • In this ecological study, we analyze the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 cases and rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations among school-aged and adult populations during the Delta and early Omicron periods in five countries. The findings suggest that the reopening of schools did not significantly alter the existing trajectory of COVID-19 rates.
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Emergence and Global Spread of Mpox Clade Ib: Challenges and the Role of Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance

  • The Journal of Infectious Diseases
  • February 2025
  • Multiple African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Uganda, are currently grappling with highly transmissible mpox clade Ib epidemics. This has led the World Health Organization to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak has already reached major travel hubs such as Kinshasa, Bujumbura, and Kampala, heightening the risk of international spread. While current efforts to combat the outbreak primarily focus on medical care, diagnostics, vaccination, and infection prevention, there is a critical oversight in the form of wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES). WES has the potential to play a crucial role in identifying hotspots and facilitating swift responses through improved data collection and genomic sequencing.
  • This perspective article aims to provide an overview of the ongoing outbreak situation and advocates for the integration of WES into response strategies. By incorporating WES into existing mitigation efforts, we can enhance our ability to detect and contain outbreaks effectively.
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A 28-Year Multicenter Cohort Study of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lymphadenitis in Children, Spain.

  • Emerging Infectious Diseases
  • March 2025
  • This study delves into the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis within a 28-year multicenter cohort in Spain spanning from 1996 to 2023. The research reveals that while case numbers remained steady during the initial prospective phase from 2013 to 2020, a significant decline was noted in 2021-2022. Interestingly, the onset of the disease was most commonly observed during the spring or in June, accounting for 45.9% of cases.
  • The study identified Mycobacterium avium complex (43.1%) and M. lentiflavum (39.9%) as the predominant species detected. Notably, M. lentiflavum predominantly affected younger children from central Spain. The primary treatment approach involved complete surgical resection with or without antimicrobial drug therapy, followed by antimicrobial drugs alone. Facial palsy was reported in 10.4% of surgical cases, while adverse events due to antimicrobial drugs were rare. Furthermore, the study found that new fistula formation during follow-up was more prevalent in children managed with observation alone compared to those treated with antimicrobial drugs alone. This highlights the importance of appropriate treatment strategies in managing nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis cases.
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Comorbidities and HIV-related factors associated with mental health symptoms and unhealthy substance use among older adults living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study

  • Journal of the International AIDS Society
  • March 2025
  • Individuals living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk for mental health and substance use disorders (MSDs), yet the connection between these conditions and other non-communicable diseases in aging PLWH populations is not well-documented. Our study aimed to examine the comorbidities associated with MSD symptoms among PLWH aged 40 and older within the Sentinel Research Network (SRN) of the International Epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA).
  • It is crucial to enhance the integration of MSD and comorbidity services within HIV clinical settings. Additionally, further research is needed to explore the relationship between MSD and comorbidities, as well as the integration of care for older PLWH in low- and middle-income countries. This research will help inform strategies to improve the overall health and well-being of aging PLWH populations.
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There you have it - a look at some of the most popular nephrology articles recently released. Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles.

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