Infectious Diseases

Hospital-treated infections strongly linked to subsequent dementia, amplified by biological aging

In a UK Biobank cohort of 339,463 adults followed a median ~13.5 years, hospital-treated infections were associated with incident dementia (HR 2.39, 95% CI 2.25–2.53). The association held across pathogen types, severities, anatomical sites, and dementia subtypes, including young-onset dementia. Phenotypic age acceleration significantly intensified the infection–dementia association (interaction HR 1.20), and APOE ε4 status modified risk patterns. Clinical implication: prior hospital-treated infection is an independent risk marker for dementia, especially in biologically older or APOE ε4 carriers. 1

AI integration may optimize gastro-renal antimicrobial selection but lacks clinical validation

This review synthesizes AI/ML approaches that integrate clinical, microbiologic, and multi-omics data to predict resistance and tailor antibiotic choice and dosing in gastro-renal infections. Authors propose AI could reduce inappropriate selection and preserve microbiome integrity by accounting for PK variability and renal function. Limitations include data heterogeneity, scarce prospective validation, regulatory barriers, and requirement for ongoing human oversight. 2

High pediatric antibiotic prescribing in Africa with substantial parenteral and Watch use

Systematic review and meta-analysis across African pediatric studies found pooled antibiotic prescribing prevalence 76.0% (95% CI 68.0–82.0; I2=99.8%). About 78.0% received at least one parenteral antibiotic, with mean 1.55 antibiotics per patient; Access antibiotics comprised 65%, Watch 27%, Reserve 3%. Regional variation was large (Central 85%, Western 83%, Eastern/Southern 64%), highlighting stewardship targets under AWaRe to reduce parenteral and Watch-group use. 3