Data from previous seasonal epidemics and pandemics have confirmed that pregnant women are at increased risk for severe influenza virus infection. Complications including fetal loss, higher rates of hospitalization and maternal death are most notable during the late gestational period. Antiviral therapy and influenza vaccination are recommended in pregnant women as both are effective and safe. This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment and prevention of influenza virus infection in pregnancy, with a focus on recent developments.

The increasing availability of nucleic acid amplification tests since the 1980s has revolutionised our understanding of the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical and laboratory aspects of known and novel viral respiratory pathogens. High-throughput, multiplex polymerase chain reaction is the most commonly used qualitative detection method, but utilisation of newer techniques such as next-generation sequencing will become more common following significant cost reductions. Rapid and readily accessible isothermal amplification platforms have also allowed molecular diagnostics to be used in a 'point-of-care' format. This review focuses on the current applications and limitations of molecular diagnosis for respiratory viruses.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) can complicate antifungal treatment of cryptococcosis. There are limited data on managing cryptococcal-associated IRIS. We describe an immunocompetent patient who developed IRIS complicating Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis, successfully treated with thalidomide following failure of corticosteroid therapy. Data on thalidomide use in cryptococcal IRIS are awaited.

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