Infectious Diseases News and Research

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Scientists identify powerful human antibodies capable of neutralizing measles virus

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) are the first in the world to characterize human antibodies capable of neutralizing measles virus.

7 May 2026

Blood test may improve early tuberculosis detection among household contacts

Household contacts of people with tuberculosis (TB) have a high risk of getting TB themselves, at around 2 percent. It is currently difficult to detect TB in its early stages, or predict who will go on to have TB, and therefore preventive treatment is not widely used.

7 May 2026

Treated baby wraps may reduce malaria risk in refugee infants

Malaria remains a threat to young children in refugee settlements, where displacement, temporary housing, and limited access to healthcare reduce the effectiveness of conventional prevention tools.

7 May 2026

New study tracks HIV care after hospital discharge statewide

Sarah Rutstein, MD, PhD, and Thibaut Davy‑Mendez, PhD, MSPH, with the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases have received an R01 from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

6 May 2026

H5N1 spreads through multiple routes on infected dairy farms

The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in over 700 herds of dairy cows in California, the largest dairy-producing state in the U.S.

5 May 2026

Cruise ship-linked hantavirus cases highlight zoonotic infection risks

The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing eminent human and animal virologists from more than 90 Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in over 40 countries dedicated to advancing research, collaboration, and pandemic preparedness, is closely monitoring reports of a hantavirus cluster linked to a cruise ship traveling in the Atlantic, which has resulted in multiple severe cases and fatalities.

5 May 2026

Phase 2 human clinical trial paves way for effective hookworm vaccine

A phase 2 human clinical trial of an antigen for a parasitic infection caused by hookworms has been shown to be effective in limiting the intensity of infection, paving the way for the development of a vaccine.

5 May 2026

Disruptions threaten progress in inclusive clinical trials and health equity

JMIR Publications today featured a critical new story in its News and Perspectives section examining the recent waves of disruption to inclusive clinical trials and the emerging strategies to keep health equity on track.

4 May 2026

Advanced AI models outperform pediatricians in diagnosing rare diseases

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being explored as a tool to support clinical decision-making, yet its real-world performance in pediatric diagnosis remains unclear.

4 May 2026

How a common gut bacterium may protect health

Akkermansia muciniphila's impact on immunity and pregnancy outcomes underscores its promise as a probiotic, with implications for infectious disease treatment.

4 May 2026

New genomic study tracks rare blood disease in children

Aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder where patients are unable to make enough blood cells due to the immune system's attack on blood stem cells. The condition can progress to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia. A study led by scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with multiple collaborating institutions, used state-of-the-art genomic techniques to profile 619 children and adults with aplastic anemia.

4 May 2026

New tools for quicker and easier Mpox diagnosis

Following the rise in monkeypox (Mpox) cases, particularly in countries where the disease had not traditionally been observed, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in June 2022 and again in August 2024.

4 May 2026

Extracellular vesicles from T cells enhance tumor immune response

Activated immune cells secrete tiny capsules bearing DNA that can enter other immune and tumor cells to stimulate the body's defense systems, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.

30 Apr 2026

HPV infections continue after age 27, so who is still at risk?

HPV infections in women aged 27+ highlight the need for updated vaccination policies, emphasizing ongoing risk and the importance of preventive healthcare.

30 Apr 2026

New cord blood approach boosts survival in blood disease patients

A new way of using umbilical cord blood for treating blood diseases could make the treatment more accessible to patients who need a stem cell transplant.

27 Apr 2026

Scientists uncover protein switch that turns on leptospirosis virulence

During infection, pathogens must adapt quickly to the conditions to thrive inside the body. A research team at the University of Basel, Switzerland, has uncovered how a key protein switches on the machinery that enables Leptospira pathogens to survive and cause disease.

27 Apr 2026

Researchers pioneer breakthrough therapy for life-threatening infections

A revelatory treatment for patients with life-threatening infectious diseases is being pioneered in Melbourne by researchers at The Alfred and Monash University.

25 Apr 2026

New consensus statement updates guidelines for cardiac device lead management

New evidence on cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) lead management and the burgeoning development of new CIED technologies have contributed to the field's rapid evolution in the last decade.

25 Apr 2026

Influenza D shows strong potential to spill over to humans

The influenza D virus that researchers say has been flying under the radar since its detection in animals in 2011 can vigorously make copies of itself in human cells and lung tissue samples, a new study shows.

24 Apr 2026

Air quality in infancy may fundamentally shape long-term immune development

Ambient air pollution is associated with respiratory infection burden in the first year of life, according to preliminary findings from the Immune Development in Early Life (IDEaL) Rome Cohort. Findings from the cohort will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting, taking place April 24-27 in Boston.

24 Apr 2026