Clinical Microbiology Reviews

SUMMARYLeptospirosis, a widespread zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species, remains a major public health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite advances in understanding Leptospira biology and pathogenesis, effective disease control continues to be limited by the lack of rapid, early diagnostics, and broadly protective vaccines. This review comprehensively examines recent progress in deciphering Leptospira-host interactions, with emphasis on key...

SUMMARYThe year 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which belongs to the metapneumovirus genus within the Pneumoviridae family. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), discovered in 1956, is a close relative of HMPV belonging to the same family but to a different genus. In this article, we review key past findings related to HMPV infection, highlighting the differences with RSV. In addition, we specifically discuss current research areas pertaining to...

SUMMARYThe messenger RNA (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine platform is the newest tool in the vaccination arsenal for combating infectious diseases, rare genetic diseases, and cancer. Since 2020, major advances in preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of mRNA-LNP vaccines against viral pathogens and in cancer. However, studies investigating the efficacy of mRNA-LNP vaccines against bacterial pathogens remain sparse due to substantial bacterial vaccine-specific...

SUMMARYRickettsial diseases, encompassing scrub typhus, spotted fever group rickettsioses, and typhus group rickettsioses, represent a significant and escalating public health threat worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan African regions. Despite their high morbidity and potential for fatal outcomes if left untreated, these infections remain notoriously underdiagnosed due to their nonspecific clinical presentation, which frequently overlaps with other acute undifferentiated...

SUMMARYColorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern that is growing in prevalence, especially in younger populations. The gut microbiome is an increasingly recognized factor in the development and progression of numerous diseases, including CRC. This review explores the current research on the causal relationship between the microbiome and CRC, including the strengths and limitations of the current models for studying this complex interaction. We then delve into key microbial...

SUMMARYIn recent years, coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has become a predominant cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) worldwide, surpassing enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and CVA16. The rise of CVA6 is of particular public health concern due to its association with atypical and severe clinical presentations, including extensive vesiculobullous eruptions and neurological complications. These diverse and often non-classical manifestations, which also occur in adults, complicate clinical diagnosis and...

SUMMARYThe skin harbors a diverse fungal community that contributes to both epidermal homeostasis and inflammatory disease. Historically, studies of cutaneous fungi focused primarily on opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. Advances in sequencing technologies and metagenomic analyses have revealed that commensal yeasts of the skin microbiome likely influence host physiology and cutaneous disease severity. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of host-fungal...

SUMMARYPlasmodium vivax remains a major barrier to global malaria elimination due to dormant liver-stage hypnozoites that drive relapse and sustain transmission even in low-endemic settings. India accounts for nearly half of the global P. vivax burden, placing it at the center of elimination efforts. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, biology, and control of P. vivax in India. Despite progress, early gametocytogenesis, hypnozoites, low parasitemia, and immune evasion...

SUMMARYUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide, with catheter-associated UTIs (CAUTIs) representing a major subset in healthcare settings. CAUTIs significantly increase patient morbidity, mortality, hospital stays, and healthcare costs, while driving antibiotic overuse and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Systemic antibiotics often fail due to poor biofilm penetration, localized infection sites, and rising multidrug resistance, highlighting the...

SUMMARYMarburg virus disease (MVD) is a highly fatal illness closely resembling Ebola disease, caused by either Marburg virus (MARV) or Ravn virus (RAVV). It typically begins with a sudden onset of high fever, headache, and malaise, followed by severe gastrointestinal symptoms, bleeding disorders, and, in the most severe cases, multi-organ failure. Case fatality rates vary widely, from 24% up to 90%. MARV and RAVV are zoonotic pathogens, with fruit bats recognized as the main reservoir....

SUMMARYPreterm infants face a unique trajectory of gut microbiome assembly, shaped by the convergence of physiological immaturity, necessary clinical interventions, and the neonatal intensive care unit environment. This dysbiotic ecosystem-characterized by low diversity, depletion of beneficial commensals such as Bifidobacterium, and expansion of pathobionts, including Enterobacteriaceae-is increasingly recognized as a central mediator of neonatal morbidity. This review synthesizes current...

SUMMARYSkin and soft tissue infections represent a major clinical challenge. This is particularly true given the rise in antimicrobial resistance, the increasing prevalence of chronic wounds, and the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Conventional antibiotic therapies are frequently compromised by multidrug-resistant pathogens, biofilm formation, and disruption of the skin microbiome, underscoring the urgent need for alternative or adjunctive antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages,...

SUMMARYThe human gut microbiotas constitute a complex microecosystem essential for host homeostasis. Among its metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) act as key signaling molecules linking microbial activity to host immunity and barrier function. Based on existing literature, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between SCFAs and 11 key gut pathogens. These pathogens include bacteria (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridioides difficile, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter...

SUMMARYAfrica's ongoing struggles with emerging epidemics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) underscore the urgency of integrating pathogen genomics and surveillance systems into the continent's One Health strategy, particularly given the existing limitations in preparedness and technological resources. This review brings together current evidence on the growth of sequencing infrastructure, the development of regional genomic hubs, and the establishment of governance frameworks, while...

SUMMARYAcanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but sight-threatening corneal infection with rising global incidence, largely driven by increased contact lens use. Management remains challenging due to limited therapeutic options, variable clinical responses, and a lack of standardized treatment guidelines. Diagnosis is frequently delayed because of the non-specific clinical presentation, and early use of topical corticosteroids can exacerbate disease severity and worsen outcomes. The formation of...