Infectious Diseases

Hospital-treated infections and infection polygenic risk associate with incident heart failure

In two cohorts, any hospital-treated infectious disease associated with higher incident HF (UKB HR 1.54, ARIC HR 1.84). HF risk peaked within 180 days after infection (peak HR 5.88) and remained elevated beyond one year. Imaging showed adverse cardiac remodeling after infection, including higher LV mass and lower EF. Independent of infection events, higher infection polygenic risk scores predicted incident HF and adverse remodeling, strongest for TGF-β and acute-inflammation pathways. 1

Review: current clinical pharmacogenomics for antibacterial and antiviral therapy

Pharmacogenomic evidence supports mandatory testing for HLA-B*57:01–abacavir and actionable pairs like MT-RNR1–aminoglycosides and G6PD–dapsone/nitrofurantoin. Most other anti-infective gene–drug associations remain informative or exploratory without guideline-based prescribing recommendations. Existing studies are underpowered and lack ancestral diversity, limiting generalizability and broad clinical implementation. Prioritize well-validated PGx tests for high-risk prescriptions and await stronger replication before expanding panels. 2

ICU staff in Hanoi demonstrate gaps in Candida auris knowledge and practices

Among 32 ICU staff, only 34.4% scored above 50% on C. auris knowledge assessments, revealing major knowledge gaps. Staff expressed positive preparedness attitudes but were unclear about diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate PPE. Few interviewees knew WHO C. auris guidance, highlighting needs for targeted education and antifungal stewardship. 3