Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (657 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Diseases due to or propagated by body fluids from hosts whose blood has been contaminated with pathogens.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Blood-Borne Infection; Infection, Blood-Borne; Blood Borne Infections; Blood Borne Infection; Infection, Blood Borne; Blood Borne Diseases; Blood Borne Disease; Disease, Blood Borne.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Communicable Diseases
- Narrower topics
- Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; HIV Infections
- See also
- Blood-Borne Pathogens
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 458,401 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Blood-Borne Infections” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 76,263 of them (16.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 135,809 records.
Reviews account for 60,973 records (13.3%) and meta-analyses for 4,131. Randomized controlled trials number 15,048 (3.3%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 133,959 |
| 2000-2009 | 112,370 |
| 2010-2019 | 135,809 |
| 2020 onward | 76,263 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 60,973 | 13.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 4,131 | 0.9% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 15,048 | 3.3% |
Method: PubMed query "Blood-Borne Infections"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in infectious diseases
Infectious disease evidence combines microbiology, epidemiology and clinical trials. Laboratory studies identify pathogens and how they cause harm; surveillance and outbreak investigations describe who is affected and how infection spreads; trials establish whether treatments and vaccines work. Results depend on place and time, because pathogens evolve and resistance patterns and population immunity change. Check when and where the data were collected, how cases were defined and how up to date the evidence is.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innate immune imprints shape HIV-1 reservoir cell persistence during long-term antiretroviral therapy | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 42680897 · DOI · PMC13630574 |
| EuroHePP: The European Toolkit to Strengthen National Responses for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Prisons | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42741862 · DOI · PMC13575848 |
| Costs of Delivering the Hep B PAST Model of Care in Remote Australia: A Retrospective Pre-Post Study | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42811936 · DOI · PMC13624689 |
Innate immune imprints shape HIV-1 reservoir cell persistence during long-term antiretroviral therapy [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Host immune responses that can target and eliminate HIV-1 reservoir cells during suppressive antiretroviral therapy are poorly understood.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings underscore the critical influence of host and viral genetic variation on reservoir persistence and highlight opportunities for leveraging innate immunity in HIV cure strategies.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (210 words)
Host immune responses that can target and eliminate HIV-1 reservoir cells during suppressive antiretroviral therapy are poorly understood. Here, analyzing over 6,000 proviral DNA amplicons from 104 individuals on long-term antiretroviral therapy, we found that carriers of HLA-C2 allotypes, which promote NK cell education via interactions with KIR2DL1, exhibited lower frequencies of intact proviruses. No protective effects of HLA-C2 alleles were observed during untreated infection, suggesting a selective vulnerability of reservoir cells to NK-cell-mediated immune activity under antiretroviral therapy. Supporting this, frequencies of KIR2DL1+ NK cells, particularly those coexpressing the activating HLA-E receptor NKG2C, were inversely correlated with frequencies of intact proviruses. Moreover, viral protein U variants that strongly downregulate HLA-C, increasing a missing-self response by KIR2DL1+ NK cells, were associated with smaller reservoirs in carriers of HLA-C2. Infected cells surviving long-term displayed elevated HLA-C expression, consistent with in vivo selection for resistance to KIR2DL1+ NK-cell-mediated immune clearance. Immune activity of KIR2DL1+ NK cells against viral reservoir cells was enhanced by NKG2C-HLA-E interactions, as sequence variants in HLA-E-restricted HIV-1 epitopes reduced NKG2C-dependent NK cell activation and were associated with higher frequencies of intact proviruses. These findings underscore the critical influence of host and viral genetic variation on reservoir persistence and highlight opportunities for leveraging innate immunity in HIV cure strategies.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42680897 · DOI · PMC13630574
EuroHePP: The European Toolkit to Strengthen National Responses for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Prisons [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- People living in prison are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B and C, yet access to prevention, testing, and treatment services remains inconsistent across Europe.
- Closing excerpt
- By offering adaptable tools and frameworks for policymakers and practitioners, EuroHePP aims to strengthen prison health systems, reduce health inequalities, and accelerate progress towards hepatitis elimination at national and regional levels.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (148 words)
People living in prison are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B and C, yet access to prevention, testing, and treatment services remains inconsistent across Europe. Addressing this gap is critical to achieving viral hepatitis elimination targets by 2030. EuroHePP is a European toolkit developed to support national responses to viral hepatitis in prison settings. It was created through a structured, multi-stage process involving evidence review, stakeholder consultations, and expert validation. The toolkit provides practical guidance across the full continuum of care, including prevention, testing, treatment, and monitoring, and promotes micro-elimination approaches tailored to prison populations. It emphasises evidence-based interventions such as opt-out testing, decentralised and simplified models of care, harm reduction strategies, and continuity of care after release. By offering adaptable tools and frameworks for policymakers and practitioners, EuroHePP aims to strengthen prison health systems, reduce health inequalities, and accelerate progress towards hepatitis elimination at national and regional levels.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42741862 · DOI · PMC13575848
Costs of Delivering the Hep B PAST Model of Care in Remote Australia: A Retrospective Pre-Post Study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivesTo estimate the direct medical costs of the Hep B Partnership Program (Hep B PAST) model of care compared with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) usual care from the health system perspective (Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health and the Commonwealth).
- Closing excerpt
- Future cost savings from decreased hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure were not included.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (299 words)
ObjectivesTo estimate the direct medical costs of the Hep B Partnership Program (Hep B PAST) model of care compared with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) usual care from the health system perspective (Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health and the Commonwealth).Study typeRetrospective cohort study (2014-2023) that linked primary care with inpatient, emergency, outpatient and outreach datasets. Costs were applied using National Weighted Activity Units, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and NT Government costings. A pre- and post-implementation design from a health system perspective was applied, with costs in 2023 Australian dollars.SettingRemote communities in the NT, Australia.ParticipantsThe cohort included all First Nations people living with CHB who were attending a clinic in a remote community that had consented to the Hep B PAST program, and who received care between 1 July 2014 and 31 May 2023.Main outcome measuresAnnual mean and median healthcare costs per contact and per individual across service types, with comparisons of annual mean costs per individual between pre- and post-Hep B PAST using partially overlapping t-tests.ResultsAmong 1063 First Nations individuals with CHB, annual median costs per individual were similar for usual care ($639 [interquartile range, $366-1156]) and Hep B PAST ($770 [interquartile range, $400-1272]); mean costs were also similar for usual care versus Hep B PAST ($1701 vs. $1970; p = 0.12). By service type, annual median costs were similar for inpatient services ($7777 vs. $7795), primary care ($327 vs. $302) and outpatient visits ($1985 vs. $1858), and higher for Hep B PAST for emergency services ($1339 vs. $1672) and outreach care ($373 vs. $746).ConclusionsIn remote First Nations communities, Hep B PAST was delivered with a modest increase in direct medical costs compared with usual care. These findings can be used to inform future cost-effective evaluations. Future cost savings from decreased hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure were not included.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42811936 · DOI · PMC13624689
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Cancer risk in people living with HIV and solid organ transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis [4]
- Research article HIV-related stigma and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for Preventing Vertical Transmission in Chronic Hepatitis B Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [6]
- Research article HIV incidence among women engaging in sex work in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Staging liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using non-invasive tests in people with chronic hepatitis B to inform WHO 2024 guidelines: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Estimating the effect of maternal viral load on perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
References
- Tan TS, Sun W, Gao C, Viard M, Walters LC, Lancien M, et al.. Innate immune imprints shape HIV-1 reservoir cell persistence during long-term antiretroviral therapy. . 2026. PMID 42680897 · DOI · PMC13630574
- Fondelli S, Arzilli G, da Costa FA, Brixko C, Butí M, Cabezas J, et al.. EuroHePP: The European Toolkit to Strengthen National Responses for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Prisons. . 2026. PMID 42741862 · DOI · PMC13575848
- Nguyen H, Nguyen ALT, Binks P, McKinnon M, Vintour-Cesar E, Wills K, et al.. Costs of Delivering the Hep B PAST Model of Care in Remote Australia: A Retrospective Pre-Post Study. . 2026. PMID 42811936 · DOI · PMC13624689
- Jin F, Vajdic CM, Poynten IM, McGee-Avila JK, Castle PE, Grulich AE. Cancer risk in people living with HIV and solid organ transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2024. PMID 38936380 · DOI · PMC11246791
- Dessie ZG, Zewotir T. HIV-related stigma and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2024. PMID 39109161 · DOI · PMC11300231
- Pan CQ, Zhu L, Yu AS, Zhao Y, Zhu B, Dai E. Tenofovir Alafenamide Versus Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for Preventing Vertical Transmission in Chronic Hepatitis B Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2024. PMID 38805690 · DOI · PMC11478587
- Jones HS, Anderson RL, Cust H, McClelland RS, Richardson BA, Thirumurthy H, et al.. HIV incidence among women engaging in sex work in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2024. PMID 39030057 · DOI · PMC11283888
- Liguori A, Zoncapè M, Casazza G, Easterbrook P, Tsochatzis EA. Staging liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using non-invasive tests in people with chronic hepatitis B to inform WHO 2024 guidelines: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025. PMID 39983746 · DOI
- Dugdale CM, Ufio O, Giardina J, Shebl F, Coskun E, Pletner E, et al.. Estimating the effect of maternal viral load on perinatal and postnatal HIV transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2025. PMID 40652949 · DOI · PMC12262163
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.