[Development and progress in respiratory tract infections]

The pandemic and the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens impressively demonstrate that despite all medical and technical progress, infectious diseases still represent a global threat. The occurrence of new or difficult to treat infections due to resistance is determined by the dynamic evolution of pathogens, which can often have an erratic course and is not easily predictable. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has improved the understanding of airway infections and in addition to strategies targeted against the pathogen, has again demonstrated the importance of immunomodulation. Pathogen sequencing, point of care testing and decision aids based on artificial intelligence are some of the innovative techniques which will improve the management of airway infections in the coming years. In addition to viral airway infections, bacterial carbapenem-resistant pathogens (CRE) increasingly represent a therapeutic barrier in cases of nosocomial pneumonia. In recent years approval was given to beta lactams that are effective against CRE; however, their effectiveness is dependent on the underlying mechanism of resistance to carbapenem. An extended 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine will become available in 2022 for adults. A high-dose vaccine against influenza has been in use since 2021 for older adults. This article provides a highlighted overview of selected significant innovations in recent years in the field of airway infections.