Emerging Challenges in Infectious Diseases Among Immunocompromised and Immunologically Vulnerable Children

Pediatric infectious diseases in immunocompromised and immunologically vulnerable children represent a rapidly evolving field shaped by advances in oncology, transplantation, immunology, and targeted therapies. Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation, chemotherapy, biologic agents, and other immunosuppressive treatments substantially increase susceptibility to severe, recurrent, and atypical infections. Viral reactivation involving CMV, EBV, adenovirus, BK virus, and HHV-6 remains a major concern, alongside opportunistic bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial, and parasitic infections. Antimicrobial resistance, healthcare-associated transmission, incomplete vaccine protection, and complex presentations such as fever of unknown origin further complicate diagnosis and management. Although advances in molecular diagnostics, prophylaxis, vaccination, antimicrobial stewardship, and immunomodulatory treatment have improved outcomes, important gaps remain in risk prediction, early diagnosis, individualized therapy, and infection prevention across diverse pediatric populations. This Research Topic will support further investigation into emerging threats and practical strategies for improving care.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infections affecting immunocompromised and immunologically vulnerable children. It will explore how host immune defects, underlying diseases, therapeutic exposures, and transplant-related factors influence infection risk and outcomes. Contributions may address strategies for early detection, pathogen surveillance, antimicrobial selection, immune reconstitution, and personalized risk assessment. The Research Topic also seeks to evaluate emerging antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapies, strengthen vaccination approaches, and identify effective models of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control. Research addressing disparities in access to diagnostics, prevention, and specialist care is particularly encouraged.To gather further insights into infectious diseases in children with primary or secondary immune vulnerability, this Research Topic will focus on pediatric populations and clinically relevant diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and epidemiological questions, while encompassing both established and emerging pathogens. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and infection susceptibility• Infectious complications in children receiving chemotherapy, biologic agents, or immunosuppressive therapies• Infections following hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation• Emerging viral infections and viral reactivation (CMV, EBV, adenovirus, BK virus, HHV-6, etc.)• Opportunistic bacterial, fungal, mycobacterial, and parasitic infections• Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship• Precision medicine approaches in pediatric infectious diseases• Vaccination strategies and vaccine-preventable infections in immunocompromised children• Infection prevention and healthcare-associated infections• Fever of unknown origin and other complex infectious syndromes• Novel antimicrobial and immunomodulatory therapies Topic editors: Deniz Aygun, Daniel Drozdov Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85876/emerging-challenges-in-infectious-diseases-among-immunocompromised-and-immunologically-vulnerable-children