Infectious Disease Frontier

In a thought-provoking review published in the Annual Review of Virology, Patrick S. Moore and Yuan Chang explore the intriguing question: Are there more human cancer viruses yet to be discovered? Despite the identification of seven known human cancer viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV), the possibility of undiscovered viruses remains open.

A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens explores the mechanisms behind the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant's ability to enter human cells and evade neutralizing antibodies. Researchers identified a key mutation, H655Y, in the spike (S) protein, which significantly alters the virus’s cell entry process and its susceptibility to antibody neutralization.

A recent phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial explored the potential of inulin, a prebiotic fiber, to prevent gut pathogen colonization and infection in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis. Despite its promising role in preclinical studies, inulin did not significantly alter the gut microbiome or improve clinical outcomes in this high-risk population.

A recent secondary analysis of the ARISE and ProCESS trials offers valuable insights into the varying effectiveness of Early Goal-Directed Therapy (EGDT) in patients with septic shock. Despite previous randomized controlled trials showing mixed results, this study highlights significant heterogeneity in treatment responses, suggesting that EGDT may benefit some patients while potentially causing harm to others.

With norovirus cases surging across the U.S. this winter, it seems like everyone knows someone who’s been affected. This highly contagious virus is notorious for causing acute gastroenteritis, but there’s much more to it than just a rough couple of days.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a mosquito-borne virus endemic to Africa and the Middle East, poses significant health risks due to its potential to cause severe encephalitis. In this review, Lindsay R. Wilson and Anita K. McElroy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shed light on the viral and host factors influencing RVFV encephalitis. They explore the role of host genetics, immune responses, and the mechanisms of central nervous system invasion.

A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens delves into the intricate mechanisms of protein homeostasis in Candida glabrata, an opportunistic human pathogen known for its resistance to standard antifungal treatments. The research, led by Dipika Gupta, Renu Shukla, and Krishnaveni Mishra from the University of Hyderabad, highlights the critical role of SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs) in regulating protein stability within the pathogen.

A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine explores the comparative effectiveness of baricitinib and tocilizumab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Utilizing data from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C)—the largest electronic health records database on COVID-19 in the U.S.—this multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed outcomes from over 10,000 patients across 75 hospitals.

A recent letter published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology highlights the critical role of rectal temperature measurement in improving the diagnosis of intrapartum infections. While oral temperature measurements are commonly used, they often underestimate core body temperature, potentially delaying the diagnosis of conditions like chorioamnionitis.