Switching from intravenous antibiotics to oral fosfomycin was noninferior to continuing intravenous therapy for complicated urinary tract infections caused

In conjunction with the Royal Statistical Society, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is pleased to host Professor Sarah Walker, who will deliver the 31st Bradford Hill Memorial

An unusually large outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease affecting young adults occurred in South East England between 13 and 18 March 2026, with 21 confirmed cases including two fatalities. Thirteen cases were university students and 19 had attended the same nightclub over a 3-day period. The outbreak strain was a distinct genome within the previously seen type B: P1.12–1,16–183: F1–5: ST-485 (cc41/44). Over 13,000 chemoprophylaxis doses and 11,000 meningococcal B vaccinations were provided to possible contacts.

AbstractThe Research Insights and Knowledge Mobilisation Chapter (Chapter 7) of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report 2024–2025 showcases research into healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) undertaken at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with its collaborators, from April 2024 to March 2025.1The research covers disciplines and topics across the field of AMR and HCAI to address the top 10 key research priorities outlined in the UK 2024-2029 National Action Plan for AMR (NAP).2 The Chapter outlines examples of AMR and HCAI research, collated with project, peer-reviewed publications, and conference abstracts, mapped to the NAP Outcomes (Figure 1). To navigate the breadth of research, studies are organised by the following topic areas: Strengthening surveillance and epidemiologySurveillance and epidemiology are crucial to enable early detection of new threats, track infections, inform policy, and to guide treatment decisions. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and prescribingAMS aims to effectively treat infection in the most appropriate way, with the result of slowing the development of AMR and preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics. Impact of COVID-19 on AMRThe COVID-19 pandemic has seen many adverse impacts on other infections, in particular HCAI, which have been on the rise. Infection prevention and control (IPC)New techniques and models are enabling hospital environments to be simulated, providing estimates on transmission, the development of resistance, and the impact of health inequalities. Novel IPC strategies are being developed. Novel therapeutics, technologies, and vaccination.Novel approaches have been developed to evaluate vaccines, diagnose infections, and to find new more effective treatments.The chapter spotlights the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) in HCAI and AMR, from 2020 to 2025, led by Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, both with the UKHSA. Key research outputs from across the HPRUs are synthesised, reflecting the translational research for public health policy and practice. HPRU impact case studies illustrate the value the research has brought, including improving patient outcomes, reducing health inequalities, serving the health needs of under-served communities, and building capacity and capability to conduct high-quality research.Furthering the emphasis on ‘Knowledge Mobilisation’ (KM) (i.e., the act of getting the right information to the right people, to influence decision making) the chapter describes the Knowledge Mobilisation Toolkit developed by the Oxford HPRU, containing an array of tools, plus supporting information to help users navigate KM, and apply it to their own research.In 2025, the NIHR launched thirteen new HPRUs, which will run from 2025-2030.3 The HPRU in HCAIs and AMR is a partnership between the University of Oxford and the UKHSA.4 The chapter outlines the research aims of the new HPRU in the prevention and control of HCAIs and of AMR, and its aims to support the delivery and acceleration of progress towards the UK 2024-2029 AMR NAP.Figure 1.The distribution of over 100 peer-reviewed publications across the UKHSA by the NAP outcomes

Two studies published in Eurosurveillance highlight that non-sexual mpox transmission requires adjustments in prevention efforts and clinical vigilance depending on the outbreak settings. For example ...

In July 2019, a syphilis outbreak was declared in Alberta, Canada, affecting key populations. Syphilis rapid/point-of-care testing (RPOCT) provides opportunities to test individuals in nontraditional settings and provide same-day treatment. This study aimed to evaluate whether RPOCT resulted in a decline in new syphilis positivity rates.MethodsStarting August 2020, syphilis RPOCTs were implemented in a single (Edmonton) health zone (EDM phase) and in March 2022 were scaled up across the province of Alberta (ProvScaleUp phase). To evaluate the impact of RPOCTs on new syphilis positivity rates, interrupted time-series analyses were used to analyze population-standardized new syphilis positivity rates before, during, and after RPOCT implementation. Generalized linear models assessed percentage declines in new syphilis positivity rates after RPOCT implementation.ResultsIn the preintervention period, monthly new syphilis positivity rates significantly increased across Alberta. After RPOCTs were implemented regionally (EDM phase), syphilis positivity rates decreased by an average of 15% (0.25 per 100 000 population). After wider distribution (ProvScaleUp phase), provincial rates decreased by 25% (0.22 per 100 000 population). Rates decreased more in the general versus prenatal population (15.9% vs 12.2%), among males versus females (16.0% vs 14.5%), among those in metropolitan versus urban and rural areas (15.2%, 14.0%, and 12.2%, respectively) and decreased the least among those aged 24–29 (12.5%).ConclusionsSyphilis RPOCT implementation was associated with a significant decrease in new syphilis positivity rates in a province of a high-income country experiencing a resurgence of heterosexual syphilis among key populations facing barriers to testing and treatment.

As a new branch of H3N2 influenza gains ground, we explore what it means for this season’s flu vaccine.

Financial incentives did not address barriers to index participants informing partners, and ultimately did not improve partner attendance for STI treatment. Multifaceted packages addressing barriers f...

Oxford’s Prof Katrina Lythgoe and Mahan Ghafari, DPhil, report ONS-CIS data on 576 persistent UK infections with rapid within-host evolution and rare transmission after one month.

South Africa faces emerging resistance to TB drugs like bedaquiline. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST), the current reference standard for bedaquiline DST, has long turnaround times.

Political will, free maternity care and digital health tools helped Botswana achieve high standards for ending mother-to-child transmission.

Should every person with HIV over age 35 (if MSM or transgender woman) or 45 (everyone else) have an anal Pap smear, a digital anal rectal exam (DARE), and possibly a high-resolution anoscopy every 1–...

YouTube video by Dr. Glaucomflecken

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has significantly impacted people with HIV (PWH). Harm reduction programs, changing transmission patterns, and direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have profoundly altered HIV/HCV coinfection trends. This study evaluates HCV prevalence in Spain over two decades.MethodsWe conducted nine cross-sectional studies (2002–2023) in 39–43 centers. Sampled individuals were randomly sampled from PWH actively followed at these centers, with proportional allocation. Main outcomes included anti-HCV antibody and active HCV infection (HCV-RNA+) prevalences.ResultsThe reference population ranged from 31,800 to 47,006, with sample sizes of 1,260–1,867. HIV transmission patterns shifted from 2002 to 2023, with injection drug use (IDU) decreasing from 55% to 21% and men who have sex with men (MSM) increasing from 17% to 46%. HCV seroprevalence fell from 60.8% to 27.4%, and active infection from 46.3% to 0.9%. In the DAA era (2015–2023), active HCV dropped by 100% in heterosexuals, 94% in IDU, and 71% in MSM. Treatment uptake increased from 23% in 2002 to 99% by 2023 with all-oral DAAs. Cirrhosis among active HCV cases peaked at 23.1% in 2015 but fell to 0% by 2021. Among those achieving sustained virologic response (SVR), cirrhosis prevalence was 20.4% in 2023.ConclusionsHIV/HCV coinfection has drastically declined in Spain, with active HCV infection prevalence below 1% since 2021. DAAs were pivotal in this achievement. However, cirrhosis remains a concern among those with SVR. Ongoing surveillance and prevention efforts are essential to sustain these gains and address residual risks.

New research finds no link between aluminum in vaccines and autism, asthma, or other health conditions, strengthening the case for vaccine safety.

“Dr. Sax, what’s it like to have lived through two pandemics as an ID doctor?” The question came from a brand-new intern during afternoon sign-out. I took a breath — because wow, were they different. ...

Lassa fever, caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is a rodent-borne disease endemic to West Africa. Despite growing interest from the global health community, the overall disease burden remains poorly understood due to persistent underreporting and inadequate diagnostic capacities. This study aimed to assess LASV infection dynamics in rural Guinea, addressing gaps in understanding its epidemiology in endemic settings.MethodsA cross-sectional serosurveillance study was conducted across six villages in Faranah, Guinea, involving 1,306 participants. Serum samples were analyzed for LASV-specific antibodies using ELISA, and a subset confirmed via immunofluorescence and neutralization assays. Statistical and mathematical models were used to estimate key epidemiological parameters, including the force of infection, antibody waning rates, and infection prevalence.ResultsOverall, IgG seroprevalence was 82.3%, while IgM prevalence stood at 1.8%. Seroprevalence exceeded 50% by age five and increased steadily with age, indicating lifelong exposure. Antibody waning rates suggested an average IgG persistence of 58 years. Mathematical analysis showed that halving LASV prevalence would require a tenfold reduction in the force of spillover, highlighting the challenges of effective control measures.ConclusionsThe seroprevalence observed in this study was markedly higher than reported elsewhere in West Africa, identifying Faranah as a hotspot for LASV transmission. Despite the high seroprevalence and estimated force of infection, the number of reported acute cases is very low, suggesting that LASV may frequently cause pauci- or asymptomatic infections or be commonly misdiagnosed for other diseases. These findings underscore that LASV is more widespread than assumed in rural Guinea.

Introduction Recent trials have demonstrated that shortened four-month treatment durations are effective for the majority of people with tuberculosis (TB). However, there is a population of TB patient...

Background Sierra Leone confirmed its first Mpox case on January 10 2025, with the Minister of Health declaring a Public Health Emergency shortly thereafter. Cases have surged in recent weeks, with ov...

Thousands of gonorrhoea cases could be prevented over the next decade thanks to the NHS’ world-first vaccination programme against the infection. Eligible patients, which includes gay and bisexual men...

Scientific podcasts based on current articles from Emerging Infectious Diseases journal. Listen and learn about emerging infectious disease research from leading scientists.

A daycare teacher presented with complaints of headache, neck stiffness, and fever. Because of initial concerns about meningococcal meningitis, families of daycare attendees were notified and 10 children from the daycare presented for evaluation.

Background Zoonotic influenza, including infections with avian and swine influenza A viruses (swIAV), is a notifiable disease in the Netherlands. Human cases infected with swIAV have previously been r...

Diagnostic test evaluation requires a reference standard. We describe an approach for creating a reference standard for acute infection using unrestricted adjudication and apply it to compare biomarker tools.

Metagenomics is increasingly used for diagnosis in hospital settings. It is useful particularly in cases of unknown aetiology, where novel or difficult-to-diagnose pathogens are suspected, and/or foll...

UKHSA launches a call for evidence to shape England’s 2026 to 2031 TB Action Plan as TB rates continue to rise.

In an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made several unsupported or misleading claims about the measles vaccine, which the Centers for Di...