The third session of DiagHub convened leading experts in infectious disease diagnostics to explore cutting-edge developments in bacterial and viral biomarker research. This session featured two distinguished speakers: Prof. Dr. Bo Situ from Southern Medical University, China, and Dr. Yixuan Li, Medical Manager at Zybio Inc. And moderated by Prof. Dr. Carolina Cucho Espinoza, the Head of Clinical Pathology at Dos de Mayo National Hospital in Peru.

Prof. Dr. Bo Situ from Southern Medical University delivered an in-depth presentation on bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. BEVs are nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles secreted by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, containing components such as lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and virulence factors. These vesicles play vital roles in bacterial-host interactions and are closely associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases. Prof. Situ’s team has established a Flow NanoAnalyzer platform capable of detecting BEVs at the single-particle level and has identified LPS and LTA as key surface markers for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial BEVs, respectively. His research highlighted the potential of bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic tools. Ongoing studies suggest that BEVs may play important roles in disease processes and host–microbe interactions, offering promising directions for future diagnostic and translational applications. The lecture provided valuable insight into the mechanisms, detection technologies, and clinical relevance of BEVs, paving the way for future translational applications in infection and systemic diseases.

Dr. Yixuan Li, Medical Manager at Zybio, presented on Myxovirus Resistance Protein A (MxA), a novel interferon-stimulated biomarker highly specific for viral infections. MxA is induced solely by type I and III interferons and is not elevated in bacterial infections, distinguishing it from conventional inflammatory markers such as CRP or PCT. Dr. Li introduced comprehensive clinical evidence from both international and domestic studies, showing that MxA can effectively differentiate viral from bacterial infections across various clinical settings, including pediatric emergency, outpatient care, and ICU. In particular, studies from Finland and the United States demonstrated that MxA and MxA/CRP combinations achieved diagnostic accuracies above 95% AUC. Chinese data further confirmed MxA’s utility in adult patients with severe infections or acute respiratory symptoms, supporting its application in the context of sepsis and respiratory disease management. MxA also performs reliably in immunocompromised patients and during periods of viral co-circulation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Li emphasized that MxA-based diagnostic strategies can significantly reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, thereby contributing to global efforts in antimicrobial stewardship. Her presentation demonstrated the growing clinical value of MxA in supporting early diagnosis, accurate triage, and personalized therapy in infectious diseases.

The session also featured a Q&A segment, where experts were invited to share their insights on the translation of scientific research into clinical applications. Dr. Bo Situ was asked about the role of hospitals and research institutes in advancing product development in China, while Dr. Li was invited to comment on the clinical adoption of MxA and challenges related to antibiotic overuse.

The session offered meaningful knowledge-sharing and inspired forward-looking ideas for clinical application. Stay tuned for upcoming DiagHub events as we continue to explore the future of diagnostic excellence!