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Abstract

In this primer, we will review the key distinctions between acute and chronic infections, between mono- and polymicrobial infections and how these distinctions work together to generate the growing crisis of chronic polymicrobial infections. Chronic (non-resolving) infections place a large and growing burden on human health, globally. Following an introduction to the basic properties of chronic polymicrobial infections, we will use an ecological and evolutionary perspective to help outline a research agenda for this field, flagging both challenges and opportunities for improved infection prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Award BROWN23I0)
    • Principle Award Recipient: SamP. Brown
  • Army Research Office (Award W911NF2310140)
    • Principle Award Recipient: SamP. Brown
  • National Science Foundation (Award NSF DEB 2406985)
    • Principle Award Recipient: SamP. Brown
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The Microbiology Society waived the open access fees for this article.
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/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001567
2025-06-20
2025-07-08
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