Infectious diseases articles from across Nature Portfolio

The molecular mechanisms that underpin the multi-organ dysfunction in long COVID are unknown, particularly within the cardiovascular system. Research finds a critical role for endothelial responses and signaling in driving dysfunction.

A hallmark of post-viral lung disease, including post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, is dysplastic lung repair. CD8⁺ T cells contribute to aberrant repair through induction by IFNγ and TNF of IL-1β in macrophages, halting differentiation of alveolar type 2 cells.

Lassa fever is a cryptic viral disease that is spread predominantly from rodents to humans in West Africa. We estimated the health-economic burden associated with Lassa fever, highlighting the gains to population health and economies that could be afforded by Lassa vaccines, several of which are currently in development.

Sinclair et al. explore the contribution of chronic inflammation to cardiovascular symptoms associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC-CVS). The authors identify trace levels of inflammatory cytokines in individuals with PASC-CVS that impair the function of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Immune-system responses help to explain why some people with high viral loads stay healthy.

In this Journal Club, Pleuni Pennings recalls two papers that connected the evolutionary dynamics of HIV variants with therapeutic outcomes, illustrating how evolutionary insights can inform public health decisions.

This Genome Watch explores recent transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic analyses that revealed the key role of secondary endosymbionts in host immunity and disease transmission within their insect or plant hosts.

Many lessons have been learned 10 years after the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, but urgent work is now needed to prevent another outbreak.

Phages are gaining attention for their ability to target drug-resistant bacteria, disrupt biofilms, and reach intracellular pathogens, offering promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. The Collection discusses advances in phage therapy, including their application in vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, and gene delivery systems. Key research gaps are identified, such as challenges related to phage stability, immune response, and regulatory hurdles. Despite the progress, phage therapy faces obstacles in maintaining phage viability, evading immune detection, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks. The articles collectively address these challenges and propose potential solutions to enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of phage-based treatments. By overcoming these barriers, bacteriophage research has the potential to revolutionize medical therapies, providing innovative approaches to some of the most pressing healthcare challenges today.