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ReviewViral Respiratory Pathogens and Lung InjurySeveral viruses target the human respiratory tract, causing different clinical manifestations spanning from mild upper airway involvement to life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As dramatically evident in the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the clinical picture is not always easily predictable due to the combined effect of direct viral and indirect patient-specific immune-mediated damage.
ReviewPathogenesis of Gram-Negative BacteremiaGram-negative bacteremia is a devastating public health threat, with high mortality in vulnerable populations and significant costs to the global economy. Concerningly, rates of both Gram-negative bacteremia and antimicrobial resistance in these species are increasing.
ReviewThe Changing Face of the Family Enterobacteriaceae (Order: “Enterobacterales”): New Members, Taxonomic Issues, Geographic Expansion, and New Diseases and Disease SyndromesThe family Enterobacteriaceae has undergone significant morphogenetic changes in its more than 85-year history, particularly during the past 2 decades (2000 to 2020). The development and introduction of new and novel molecular methods coupled with innovative laboratory techniques have led to many advances.
ReviewMolecular Epidemiology of Human Cryptosporidiosis in Low- and Middle-Income CountriesCryptosporidiosis is one of the most important causes for moderate to severe diarrhea and diarrhea-related mortality in children under 2 years in low- and middle-income countries. In recent decades, genotyping and subtyping tools have been used in epidemiological studies of human cryptosporidiosis.
ReviewUnderstanding the Impact of Resistance to Influenza AntiviralsInfluenza poses a significant burden on society and health care systems. Although antivirals are an integral tool in effective influenza management, the potential for the emergence of antiviral-resistant viruses can lead to uncertainty and hesitation among front-line prescribers and policy makers.
ReviewStaphylococcus aureus in Agriculture: Lessons in Evolution from a Multispecies PathogenStaphylococcus aureus is a formidable bacterial pathogen that is responsible for infections in humans and various species of wild, companion, and agricultural animals. The ability of S. aureus to move between humans and livestock is due to specific characteristics of this bacterium as well as modern...
ReviewLaboratory Diagnosis of Lyme BorreliosisLyme borreliosis is caused by a growing list of related, yet distinct, spirochetes with complex biology and sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms.
ReviewSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): a Systemic InfectionTo date, seven identified coronaviruses (CoVs) have been found to infect humans; of these, three highly pathogenic variants have emerged in the 21st century. The newest member of this group, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected at the end of 2019 in Hubei province, China.
ReviewType I Natural Killer T Cells as Key Regulators of the Immune Response to Infectious DiseasesThe immune system must work in an orchestrated way to achieve an optimal response upon detection of antigens. The cells comprising the immune response are traditionally divided into two major subsets, innate and adaptive, with particular characteristics for each type. Type I natural killer T (iNKT) cells are defined as innate-like T cells sharing features with both traditional adaptive and innate cells, such as the expression of an...
ReviewStaphylococcus lugdunensis: a Skin Commensal with Invasive Pathogenic PotentialStaphylococcus lugdunensis is a species of coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) that causes serious infections in humans akin to those of S. aureus. It was often misidentified as S. aureus, but this has been rectified by...