Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections in the Immunocompromised Host

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 633

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Infectious Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
Interests: infectious diseases; immunocompromised host; intensive care; antimicrobial resistance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The population of patients with a compromised immune system is expanding at an unprecedented rate, encompassing both well-established and emerging categories of immunosuppressed individuals. Traditionally, this group has included patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), recipients of solid organ and stem cells transplants, and individuals diagnosed with hematologic malignancies requiring intensive immunosuppressive therapy. However, recent advances in medical treatments have introduced new categories of immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing immunotherapy, chemotherapy, or prolonged corticosteroid therapy. These evolving treatment modalities have contributed to a growing and more diverse spectrum of individuals vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Furthermore, as infectious disease management has improved—particularly in the case of HIV—certain disease manifestations that were once more common have become rarer. However, these conditions may still present unique clinical challenges, particularly for younger physicians who may not have encountered them in routine practice. A deeper understanding of these evolving disease presentations is crucial to optimizing patient care and improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in immunocompromised populations.

This Special Issue aims at consolidating novel scientific evidence and insights into the challenges posed by infectious diseases in immunocompromised patients. By gathering recent research and clinical experiences, we strive to enhance current knowledge and facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of this critical aspect of modern infectious disease medicine. We invite contributions that explore emerging infectious threats, novel diagnostic strategies, and innovative therapeutic approaches tailored to this high-risk population.

We look forward to your valuable contributions and to advancing the field together.

Dr. Emanuele Palomba
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • opportunistic infections
  • immunocompromised host
  • solid organ transplant
  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • oncohematologic malignancies

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

32 pages, 1959 KiB  
Review
hMPV Outbreaks: Worldwide Implications of a Re-Emerging Respiratory Pathogen
by Alexandra Lianou, Andreas G. Tsantes, Petros Ioannou, Efstathia-Danai Bikouli, Anastasia Batsiou, Aggeliki Kokkinou, Kostantina A. Tsante, Dionysios Tsilidis, Maria Lampridou, Nicoletta Iacovidou and Rozeta Sokou
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071508 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a member of the Pneumoviridae subfamily, has emerged as a significant etiological agent of acute respiratory tract infections across diverse age groups, particularly affecting infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Since its initial identification in 2001, hMPV has been recognized [...] Read more.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a member of the Pneumoviridae subfamily, has emerged as a significant etiological agent of acute respiratory tract infections across diverse age groups, particularly affecting infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Since its initial identification in 2001, hMPV has been recognized globally for its seasonal circulation pattern, predominantly in late winter and spring. hMPV is a leading etiological agent, accounting for approximately 5% to 10% of hospitalizations among pediatric patients with acute respiratory tract infections. hMPV infection can result in severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in young children, with clinical manifestations often indistinguishable from those caused by human RSV. Primary hMPV infection typically occurs during early childhood; however, re-infections are frequent and may occur throughout an individual’s lifetime. hMPV is an enveloped, negative-sense RNA virus transmitted through respiratory droplets and aerosols, with a 3–5-day incubation period. The host immune response is marked by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to disease severity. Advances in molecular diagnostics, particularly reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), have improved detection accuracy and efficiency. Despite these advancements, treatment remains largely supportive, as no specific antiviral therapy has yet been approved. Promising developments in vaccine research, including mRNA-based candidates, are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. This review synthesizes current knowledge on hMPV, highlighting its virological, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics, along with diagnostic advancements and emerging therapeutic strategies, while underscoring the critical role of continued research and sustained preventive measures—including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and non-pharmaceutical interventions—in mitigating the global burden of hMPV-related disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections in the Immunocompromised Host)
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