Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease that affects both adults and children. While global efforts are ongoing to tackle chikungunya in adults, progress in addressing pediatric chikungunya remains inadequate. To shed light on this, researchers have investigated the presentation of pediatric chikungunya and proposed multipronged approaches to diagnose, prevent, and manage this disease. These insights may help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective measures to tackle pediatric chikungunya.

This study found interesting, complex and important interactive effects among meteorological factors and ambient air pollutants on influenza incidences in Huaian, China.

Just as a computer’s operating system can be rewritten after a major update, dengue infection can ‘re-programme’ the body’s immune system, leaving a long-lasting genetic imprint that influences how people respond to future infections—an effect not seen with vaccination. This finding from a new study sheds light on the mechanics of dengue disease progression and vaccine action, filling an important knowledge gap on how even imperfect vaccines can be used safely.

A new study reveals that frailty-associated gut dysbiosis significantly elevates the risk of gastrointestinal complications following intracorporeal urinary diversion for bladder cancer. Despite short-term antibiotic prophylaxis, residual intra-abdominal bacteria and fungi—particularly Enterococcus and Enterobacter—were strongly associated with postoperative ileus and infections. The findings underscore frailty as a key determinant of surgical outcomes and point toward microbiota-based management strategies to improve recovery and reduce complications.

Heme binding to a bacterial transcription factor is critical for hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) signaling, report researchers from Japan. Heme binding promotes the reaction of H₂S with the transcription factor, leading to structural changes that can regulate stress tolerance in bacteria. The mechanism reported in this study explains bacterial resistance via H₂S sensing and highlights a previously unknown role of heme in cell signaling. Disrupting this mechanism could inspire new antibiotic strategies against drug-resistant infections.