Latest Microbiology (medical) research

Paper of the day, last two weeks

• The evolution of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Greek intensive care units is driven by local carbapenemase acquisition, nationwide nosocomial spread and emerging resistance to novel antimicrobials

  The Journal of infection · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 5 November 2026

  Among 271 drug-resistant Klebsiella isolates from 17 Greek intensive care units, more than 88% were linked to transmission clusters spanning one to eight units. Aztreonam-avibactam and cefepime-zidebactam remained active against most isolates, but resistance was more common in bacteria carrying multiple carbapenemases, and emerging resistance plus diagnostic gaps complicate treatment and tracking.

• The impact of CHG bathing on healthcare-associated bloodstream infections across a health system serving a predominantly rural population

  Infection control and hospital epidemiology · Q1 journal · Non-randomized trial · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 4 November 2026

  Health-system infection-control intervention tracks CLABSI and MRSA bacteremia

• Retrospective analysis of the transmission of difficult-to-treat resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genotype beats phenotype

  Antimicrobial resistance and infection control · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 30 October 2026

  WGS and epidemiology assess resistant Pseudomonas transmission and IPC

• Retrospective analysis of the transmission of difficult-to-treat resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genotype beats phenotype

  Antimicrobial resistance and infection control · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 30 October 2026

  WGS and epidemiology assess resistant Pseudomonas transmission and IPC

• Comparison of two Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus serological tests in Tanzanian febrile patients using a Bayesian latent class approach

  Frontiers in microbiology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 16 October 2026

  In archived samples from 427 febrile patients in northern Tanzania, Bayesian modeling estimated sensitivity at about 89% for both antibody tests, with specificity estimates of 97% for IDvet and 99% for Luminex. The estimates had wide uncertainty, and only about half of the original cohort had samples available; IDvet may be easier to use in decentralized labs, but performance needs confirmation.

• Update to the CDC influenza A(H3) subtyping assay for improved detection of influenza A(H3N2) viruses, including subclade K viruses

  Journal of clinical microbiology · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 27 October 2026

  Updated influenza subtyping assay validated for emerging variants

• Update to the CDC influenza A(H3) subtyping assay for improved detection of influenza A(H3N2) viruses, including subclade K viruses

  Journal of clinical microbiology · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 27 October 2026

  Updated influenza subtyping assay validated for emerging variants

• Update to the CDC influenza A(H3) subtyping assay for improved detection of influenza A(H3N2) viruses, including subclade K viruses

  Journal of clinical microbiology · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 27 October 2026

  Updated influenza subtyping assay validated for emerging variants

• Comparative evaluation of metagenomic and targeted next-generation sequencing for pathogen detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with lower respiratory tract infections: a retrospective cohort study

  Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 14 October 2026

  In this retrospective study of 941 patients, metagenomic sequencing had 91% sensitivity versus 73% for targeted sequencing, while targeted tests identified difficult-to-detect pathogens and prompted treatment escalation in 23% of positive cases. About two-thirds of patients improved after escalation, similar to those given appropriate initial therapy, but the study cannot establish whether sequencing improves survival.

• Droplet digital PCR for diagnosing invasive aspergillosis in hematological malignancies: a prospective cohort study

  Journal of clinical microbiology · Q1 journal · Prospective cohort · Evidence level 2 (Moderate) · 27 October 2026

  In 203 patients with blood cancers, droplet digital PCR on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid had good diagnostic performance, with 88% overall accuracy by area under the curve, 65% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Testing exhaled breath condensate performed poorly; results were stronger in patients not already taking mold-active antifungals, but need further evaluation before routine use.

• Comparative plaque- and liquid-based phage susceptibility testing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in a cystic fibrosis randomized clinical trial

  Journal of clinical microbiology · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 27 October 2026

  Direct comparison of Pseudomonas phage susceptibility testing methods

• Germicidal ultraviolet to reduce transmission of respiratory infections indoors: a systematic review

  Infection control and hospital epidemiology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 26 October 2026

  A review of 40 studies found that non-randomized research suggested germicidal ultraviolet air treatment reduced measles and chickenpox infections, but evidence for broader respiratory illness and absenteeism was mixed. Only four studies were randomized, and all had at least one validity concern; monitored studies found no added eye or skin irritation with proper installation. Larger, rigorous trials are still needed to establish its wider benefits.

• Improved disc diffusion-based detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase production in the Klebsiella oxytoca complex

  Microbiology spectrum · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 21 October 2026

  Improves phenotypic ESBL detection and resistance-mechanism interpretation

• Improved disc diffusion-based detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase production in the Klebsiella oxytoca complex

  Microbiology spectrum · Q1 journal · Unclassified · Evidence level 5 (Expert Opinion) · 21 October 2026

  Improves phenotypic ESBL detection and resistance-mechanism interpretation