Viral Infections
An Introduction to Viral Infections
Viruses are intracellular parasites, and are the most widespread organisms on Earth. They cause acute disease, such as gastroenteritis or influenza, or chronic disease, such as HIV or hepatitis. Emerging infections, such as SARS, MERS, avian influenza, Ebola and most recently, the devastating SARS-Cov-2 pandemic pose an increasing threat to human health. Numerous substances with antiviral activity are in clinical use. The use of protease inhibitors and highly active antiretroviral therapy has transformed the management of HIV. Promising emerging therapeutic approaches include neutralising antibodies. In addition, the current success of mRNA vaccines against SARS-Cov-2 heralds a new era of vaccinology. However, the threat of drug- and vaccine-resistant viral mutants are a major problem.
Expert video highlights and insights from the conference hub and comprehensive peer-reviewed articles from our journal portfolio provide updates on the changing treatment landscape. To learn more about how the latest developments impact on patient outcomes view our expert-led learning activities.
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Celebrating the next generation of innovators in infectious diseases Following the success of the 2025 Future Leaders, touchINFECTIOUS DISEASESÂ is delighted to launch nominations for the Future Leaders 2026 initiative. The infectious diseases landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by emerging pathogens, ...
Recent public health updates have renewed attention on hantavirus infections worldwide. Here, we examine what hantavirus is, where cases are being reported, the current evidence around transmission and risk, and the key considerations for clinicians based on guidance from international ...
As antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten global health, interest is growing in alternative approaches to treating bacterial infections. At ESCMID 2026, Dr Ikechukwu Moses presented early research exploring bacteriophages against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, an emerging zoonotic pathogen associated with companion animals. ...
At ESCMID 2026, Dr Jon Salmanton-Garcia (University of Cologne, Germany) discussed the growing challenge of viral infections in immunocompromised patients. He explores how transplantation, CAR-T therapy and newer immunosuppressive treatments are changing infectious risk profiles, and highlights important advances in diagnostics, ...
Older adults remain at increased risk of severe influenza outcomes, including hospitalization, cardiovascular complications and death. At ESCMID 2026, Dr Filip S. Davidovski presented findings from a secondary analysis of the DANFLU-2 trial, exploring the effectiveness of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza ...
Phase III PRIOH data suggest pritelivir could offer a new oral treatment option for immunocompromised patients with refractory herpes simplex virus, delivering improved lesion healing over investigator’s choice therapy. Refractory herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection remains a significant challenge ...
Dr Shibani Mukerji discusses practical approaches to assessing and managing cognitive ageing in people living with HIV As people living with HIV are living longer, cognitive health is becoming an increasingly important component of long-term care. Traditional diagnostic frameworks, such ...
We often focus on clinical excellence, but spend less time developing broader skills that could help us better lead with purpose and build more fulfilling, impactful careers. In this episode, part of a mini-series in partnership with LEADderm, Dr Jennifer Soung and Denise Mann explore how clinicians can engage with the media to educate, empower and extend their impact beyond the clinic.
Exploring the role of community-generated data in identifying service gaps and strengthening HIV health systems Solange Baptiste, Executive Director at ITPC Global, explores the critical role of community-generated data in strengthening HIV prevention and health systems monitoring, presented at ...
Although single-tablet regimens (STR) have transformed HIV care by simplifying treatment and improving adherence, a substantial number of patients remain on complex multi-tablet therapies due to resistance, tolerability issues or drug–drug interactions. Simplifying treatment while maintaining durable viral suppression ...
In this interview, Dr Eric Meissner (The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA) discusses the Phase III results from the ARTISTRY-2 study evaluating the investigational STR combining bictegravir and lenacapavir. This novel approach pairs an integrase strand transfer inhibitor with a first-in-class capsid inhibitor.
Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in achieving durable viral suppression, HIV persists in long-lived cellular reservoirs that remain a major barrier to cure. Among these, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells within lymph nodes represent an important tissue reservoir ...
Presented at CROI 2026, Prof. Jürgen Rockstroh (Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Bonn, Germany) discusses week 48 results from the Phase III MK-8591A-053 study comparing DOR/ISL (100/0.25 mg) with BIC/FTC/TAF in treatment-naïve adults with HIV-1.
Vaccine confidence has been significantly challenged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with implications for routine immunization, vaccine catch-up and equitable access to care. In this Q&A, Prof. Nada M. Melhem, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, ...
Positive phase III data from Ionis Pharmaceuticals and GSK plc support bepirovirsen as a potential new treatment for chronic hepatitis B. The global B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 studies met their primary endpoint, demonstrating statistically significant and clinically meaningful functional cure rates compared with standard of care alone. These findings mark a major advance in a field where no approved therapies currently achieve durable functional cure. Full results will be presented at a forthcoming scientific congress and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide.
HIV persistence remains a central barrier to achieving durable viral remission, yet the immunological mechanisms that sustain infected cells within tissues continue to challenge the field. In this Q&A, Prof. Michael R Betts (Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA) discusses how decades of work in HIV immunology have shaped current understanding of CD8 T-cell function, tissue-based immunoregulation and the cellular features of the HIV reservoir, presented at the Centre of Excellence for Spatial Multi-Omics Research in Africa (CESORA) 2025 Symposium.
It is my pleasure to introduce this issue of touchREVIEWS in Infectious Diseases for 2025, which features a diverse range of reviews and editorials addressing the scientific, clinical and policy dimensions of infectious disease management in a rapidly evolving global landscape. ...
In this Q&A, Dr Andrew Hill (University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK) discusses new findings from the updated analysis of lenacapavir manufacturing costs, pricing disparities and real-world barriers to global implementation.
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