As our Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funding finishes in December 2024, the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) editorial base in Liverpool thanks its readers, authors, peer reviewers, Editors, collaborators, READ-It Partners and management, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Cochrane, and our funder FCDO. Our 30-year journey as an editorial base at LSTM comes to a close, and we are very grateful for your support of our work. 

Established by Paul Garner, who retired from his role as CIDG Coordinating Editor in July 2022, the programme of work spans back to August 1993 with a total grant income of ~ £25 million. Our Cochrane reviews have provided evidence syntheses that supported introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets, underpinned the roll-out of artemisinin-based combination treatments, and have challenged global health dogmas and misinformation. Our work has been highly influential in embedding use of systematic reviews in formal guideline development. We’ve worked with partners globally to develop capacity in synthesis and guidance development.

Paul, who is retired, wanted to add a few words to this last Christmas message as CIDG closes up shop, and Cochrane work at LSTM ends. “It’s been a blast! We can all hold our heads high and say, look what we did! Isn’t it amazing! Fabulous reviews, changing and challenging global policies, extraordinary methods development - FCDO got their money’s worth! A huge number of people that have learnt by being part of the Liverpool team and the extended family of authors and editors. The entire enterprise was made possible by the awesome Liverpool Management Team, whose professionalism, warmth and humour is something I miss most. Thanks to you all for being part of this wonderful adventure, and we have certainly left an imprint on the world!”

The current CIDG/READ-It Liverpool team members have proudly dedicated over 125 years’ combined service to LSTM. The journey has been incredibly exciting, and we thank you for joining us on it.

CIDG/READ-It Liverpool team (L-R, clockwise): Philomena Hinds, Paula Waugh, Dee Walshe, Melissa Taylor, Tilly Fox, Vittoria Lutje, Christianne Esparza.

Funding

We are grateful to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for many years of stable funding. We thank them for supporting the Research, Evidence and Development Initiative (READ-It) programme of work (project number 300342-104) from 15 May 2018 to 31 Dec 2024. 

READ-It's key achievements are outlined here. In addition, four impact posters outline READ-It’s work in four key areas: tuberculosis, nutrition, COVID-19, and qualitative evidence synthesis (QES).

Cochrane 2023 Journal Impact factor 

The 2023 Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is 8.8. The CDSR JIF is calculated by taking the total number of citations in a given year (2023) to all Cochrane reviews published in the past 2 years (2022 and 2021) and dividing that number by the total number of reviews published in the past 2 years (2022 and 2021). Further information is available here.

The unofficial 2023 Cochrane Review Group (CRG) Impact Factor (IF) for the Infectious Diseases Group is 14.0 (43 publications cited 602 times). This means that a review published by the Infectious Diseases Group in 2021 and 2022 was cited, on average, 14 times in 2023. This IF value justifies our CIDG strategy to concentrate on high-impact, timely reviews and updates.

Cochrane’s future

As Cochrane closes a year of significant restructure and change, it has reached several major milestones in its transition to a more sustainable and streamlined organization. The Future Cochrane website is regularly updated with key information about Cochrane’s new model and organizational structure. In addition, Cochrane’s Scientific Strategy 2025-2030 has recently been announced, and you can read about it here.

After the CIDG editorial base closes, Cochrane wants to continue supporting author teams’ important work. If you have published with Cochrane and would like to update your review, or would like to begin a new Cochrane review, please submit a proposal to get started. You can also contact Cochrane’s Commissioning Editor, Roses Parker, to discuss your proposal ahead of submission. 

If you are currently working on a protocol, review, or update, you should have an open invitation to submit your work to Cochrane Central Editorial Service. Cochrane can provide support as you complete your submission. Cochrane’s Author Guidelines provide a comprehensive list of resources for you. You can reach out to the Cochrane Support Team with any questions, and if needed, Cochrane can refer them on to our Methods Support Unit. Please ensure that you are opted in to Cochrane communications and sign up to the Author Digest to receive all the latest news for authors each month.  

CIDG editorial team

We thank our CIDG Editors and Specialist Advisors who have provided invaluable contributions to the CIDG. 

In addition, below is a brief synopsis of CIDG editorial staff activities throughout 2024.

	Christianne Esparza, Administration Assistant, provided valued administrative assistance throughout 2024, particularly with article retrieval for CIDG authors working on high-impact reviews.
	Dr Tilly Fox, Review Synthesis Delivery Specialist, successfully defended her viva in September 2024, and was awarded her PhD for her thesis ‘Innovative applications of systematic review methods: flexibility in an evolving field’. In 2024 she authored two Cochrane reviews: ‘Wolbachia‐carrying Aedes mosquitoes for preventing dengue infection’ and 'Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications', one Cochrane QES protocol ‘Community views on mass drug administration for soil‐transmitted helminths: a qualitative evidence synthesis’, one evidence synthesis methods paper ‘Systematic reviews of clinical laboratory studies: Pilot risk of bias tool developed by consensus’, and non-Cochrane publications linked to mpox and post-COVID-19 condition (see: CIDG publications list below).
	Philomena Hinds, Editorial Assistant, provided a high level of administrative support towards the editorial management of Cochrane reviews. Throughout 2024, she contributed to communications and dissemination for the CIDG, and in the effective development and delivery of READ-It programme objectives.
	Dr Vittoria Lutje, Information Specialist, provided invaluable assistance with preparing search strategies and conducting literature searches for our CIDG systematic reviews in 2024. She also co-authored publications on mpox infection prevention and control, and perineal techniques for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications. She will continue working as an Information Specialist on a freelance basis, and can be contacted via her LSTM email address.
	Melissa Taylor, Research Assistant and PhD student, continued her QES research work in 2024. Her Cochrane review ‘Community views on active case finding for tuberculosis in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis’ and article ‘Rapid appraisal of how qualitative research is used in guidelines’ were published this year. As part of her PhD, she led a QES workshop in September 2024 for qualitative researchers and guideline developers to discuss concrete options for making better use of qualitative syntheses when developing guidelines (see ‘Qualitative evidence synthesis’ section below). The findings are expected to be published in early 2025. Melissa will be joining the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, based at the University of York, as a Research Fellow in February 2025.
	Dr Dee Walshe, Managing Editor, supported the development, production, and dissemination of high-impact CIDG reviews throughout 2024. She has assisted the CIDG editorial team, Editors, and authors in navigating changes to Cochrane processes, and facilitated the handover of the CIDG portfolio to Cochrane in 2024. She has worked closely with READ-It Partners to capture programme impacts, and contributed to reporting to our funders FCDO. She is extremely grateful for her time at the CIDG editorial base, since joining in November 2011, working with an extraordinary team of staff, authors, and Editors.
	In April 2024, we bid a fond farewell to Dr Marty Chaplin. Marty joined the CIDG editorial base staff as a medical statistician in 2013, and provided invaluable statistical support and guidance to our CIDG team, Editors, and authors for over 10 years in the area of evidence synthesis. Marty has contributed to the development of many CIDG reviews as a co-author, including those that have raised unique challenges to determine the appropriate analysis approaches. Marty highlighted these approaches at the recent 2023 Cochrane Colloquium, where she presented on experiences from CIDG.
	Thanks to Dr Kerry Dwan for her contributions to LSTM and to the CIDG since May 2023. In 2024 in response to WHO requests, she authored systematic reviews on ‘Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications’,  and mpox and breastfeeding. Kerry and Eleanor Ochodo were Academic Leads who coordinated the Infectious Disease and Pandemics section of the Cochrane Scientific Strategy 2025-2030. In November 2024, she returned to the University of York, as a Senior Research Fellow.
	Dr Rebecca Kuehn, Clinical Research Associate, finished her contract at the CIDG in September 2024. She has been awarded a fellowship to undertake a PhD at McMaster University in Canada. Under the supervision of Professor Gordon Guyatt in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, she is undertaking a thesis exploring the risk of bias in non-randomised studies of heath interventions. Her contributions to the CIDG are outlined here, and we wish her all the very best!

CIDG contributions to guidelines in 2024: guidelines in progress

Tuberculosis guidelines

CIDG and Diagnostic Test Accuracy (DTA) Editor Professor Yemisi Takwoingi led a set of 7 reviews (6 DTA and one impact) by 5 review teams, guided by the leads of the existing CIDG Cochrane reviews/protocols. These reviews informed the ‘Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) to detect TB and drug resistant TB’ GDG meeting (6-10 May 2024). 

A WHO rapid communication document ‘Diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of drug-resistance’ has been released. The Cochrane Reviews/updates that informed this GDG meeting will be published after publication of the fourth edition of the ‘WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis’. 

There was a symposium dedicated to the guideline at The Union conference in November 2024, during which Professor Takwoingi presented the reviews.

Malaria guidelines

The WHO Guidelines for malaria is a compilation of existing WHO recommendations on malaria and supersedes two previous WHO publications: the Guidelines for the treatment of malaria, third edition and the Guidelines for malaria vector control. Over 20 CIDG reviews are cited, with CIDG reviews typically the main reference used for the specific PICO examined.

At a November 2023 WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP) guideline development group (GDG) meeting, the CIDG provided input regarding tafenoquine for treating people who have Plasmodium vivax malaria. These updated WHO malaria guidelines are due to be released in Q4 2024.

WHO Treatment of cystic echinococcosis guidelines

The CIDG has contributed to the WHO Echinococcus guidelines process with READ-It Partner CMC Vellore by completing evidence syntheses related to PICO questions, a report of the values and preferences consultation, and GRADE tables for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis for a WHO GDG panel. A Cochrane review that informed the guidelines was published in July 2024. The WHO guidelines themselves should be published in early 2025.

Postpartum haemorrhage guidelines

The CIDG led a review ‘Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications’ that informed the updated WHO postpartum haemorrhage guidelines, which will be published in early 2025.

Mpox

In response to a WHO request, the CIDG prepared a rapid review within a 2-week turnaround time on breastfeeding of infants of mothers with mpox for the WHO (author team: Tilly Fox, Vittoria Lutje, Deirdre Walshe, Amie Wilson, Susan Gould, Kerry Dwan). This was in preparation for a GDG meeting in December 2024.

Other news

Qualitative evidence synthesis (QES)

We have continued to develop our capacity in QES, and have embarked on research considering how qualitative research and synthesis could improve guideline development. 

Melissa Taylor (Research Assistant) led a QES workshop (16^th to 18^th September 2024 at LSTM) on ‘Facilitating the translation of qualitative research in guideline and decision-making processes’, co-funded by LSTM Department of Clinical Sciences (DOCS)/Department of International Public Health (DIPH) and READ-It. This workshop was for qualitative researchers and guideline developers to discuss concrete options for making better use of qualitative syntheses when developing guidelines. Attendees included senior researchers from LSHTM, UCL, KEMRI, Maastricht University, Stellenbosch University, former WHO staff, and LSTM. The workshop led to insightful and constructive debate around the unique contribution of qualitative research, and how this could be included in guideline development. This produced a working list of four suggested approaches. Melissa and all workshop participants are now engaged in refining these approaches and writing up the outcome for publication. The findings are expected to be published in early 2025.

QES workshop attendees (L to R): Susan Norris (Oregon Health and Science University, USA), Paul Garner (LSTM, UK); Melissa Taylor (LSTM, UK), Lynn Hendricks (CEBHC, South Africa), Nora Engel (Maastricht University, The Netherlands), Nicola Desmond (LSTM, UK), Janet Seeley (LSHTM, UK), Sandy Oliver (UCL, UK).

Cochrane Lifetime Membership Awards

Since 2022, Cochrane has bestowed new lifetime and emeritus memberships, recognizing the extraordinary contributions of individuals who have made an exceptional, long-standing contribution to Cochrane’s work and leadership. At Cochrane’s AGM in November 2024, CIDG Editor Dr Marty Chaplin was awarded Lifetime Cochrane Membership. This award is given to individuals at all levels of the organization who have made an exceptional, long-standing commitment to Cochrane's work. We congratulate Marty on her well-deserved award. 

Cochrane Protocols, Reviews, and Updates in 2024

As of December 2024, the CIDG published 8 new Cochrane reviews, 1 updated Cochrane review, 3 Cochrane protocols, and 4 Cochrane Podcasts on the Cochrane Library. We also contributed to 6 additional articles. Click each title below to access the full-text article.

New Cochrane reviews

1. Saif-Ur-Rahman K, Mamun R, Hasan M, Meiring JE, Khan MA. Oral killed cholera vaccines for preventing cholera.  
    
2. Korula P, Alexander H, John JSara, Kirubakaran R, Singh B, Tharyan P, Rupali P. Favipiravir for treating COVID‐19.
    
3. Taylor M, Medley N, van Wyk SS, Oliver S. Community views on active case finding for tuberculosis in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Read the news story here.
    
4. Fox T, Sguassero Y, Chaplin M, Rose W, Doum D, Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Villanueva G. Wolbachia‐carrying Aedes mosquitoes for preventing dengue infection. 
    
5. Kuehn R, Uchiumi LJ, Tamarozzi F. Treatment of uncomplicated hepatic cystic echinococcosis (hydatid disease). 
    
6. De Rop L, Bos DAG, Stegeman I, Holtman G, Ochodo EA, Spijker R, Otieno JA, Alkhlaileh F, Deeks JJ, Dinnes J, Van den Bruel A, McInnes MDF, Leeflang MMG, Verbakel JY. Accuracy of routine laboratory tests to predict mortality and deterioration to severe or critical COVID‐19 in people with SARS‐CoV‐2.
    
7. Dwan K, Fox T, Lutje V, Lavender T, Mills TA. Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications. 
    
8. Davenport C, Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Mateos-Haro M, Berhane S, Dinnes J, Spijker R, et al. The effect of sample site and collection procedure on identification of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD014780. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014780
    

Updated Cochrane reviews

1. Pons-Duran C, Wassenaar MJ, Yovo KE, Marín-Carballo C, Briand V, González R. Intermittent preventive treatment regimens for malaria in HIV‐positive pregnant women.  
    

New Cochrane protocols

1. Fox T, Shrestha S, Kuehn R, Taylor M. Community views on mass drug administration for soil‐transmitted helminths: a qualitative evidence synthesis.
    
2. Bjerrum S, Yang B, Åhsberg J, Nathavitharana RR, Olbrich L, Jaganath D, Kay AW, Lundh A, Shah M. Parallel use of low‐complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests and lateral flow urine lipoarabinomannan assays to detect tuberculosis disease in adults and adolescents living with HIV.
    
3. Olbrich L, Kay AW, Bjerrum S, Yang B, Åhsberg J, Nathavitharana RR, Lundh A, Shah M, Jaganath D. Parallel use of low‐complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests on respiratory samples and stool with or without lateral flow lipoarabinomannan assays to detect pulmonary tuberculosis disease in children.
    

Cochrane podcasts

1. What are the benefits and risks of different perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for preventing post-birth injury? Two of the authors, Tilly Fox and Kerry Dwan, talk about the findings of a new Cochrane Review published in October 2024 in this podcast.
    
2. Intermittent preventive treatment regimens for malaria in HIV-positive pregnant women. For this September 2024 update of the review of interventions for malaria and HIV in pregnancy, two of the authors, Clara Pons-Duran and Raquel González from Barcelona University in Spain, speak about the importance of the review and its findings.
    
3. Oral killed cholera vaccines for preventing cholera. This CIDG review on cholera vaccines was updated in January 2024. Here, the lead author, KM Saif-Ur-Rahman from Evidence Synthesis Ireland and Cochrane Ireland in University of Galway tells more. 
    
4. What are the benefits and risks of using topical insect repellents to prevent malaria? Lead author, Juan Carlos Gabaldon from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain, talks about the findings of a recent Cochrane review on the effects of topical repellents.
    

Other publications

In addition, CIDG editorial base staff were involved as authors on the following 6 publications.

1. Kuehn R, Fox T, Guyatt G, Lutje V, Gould S (2024) Infection prevention and control measures to reduce the transmission of mpox: a systematic review. PLOS Global Public Health 4(1): e0002731.
    
2. Rupali P, Singh B, Princy NG, John JS, Kuehn R, Solomon T, et al. The India brain infections guidelines project: global evidence for local application. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, Volume 27: 101560.
    
3. Taylor M, Garner, P, Oliver S, Desmond N (2024) Use of qualitative research in World Health Organisation guidelines: a document analysis. Health Research Policy Systems 22: 44.
    
4. Hunt BJ, Kuehn R, Fox T, Carson A, Scandrett K, Davey Smith G, Garner P (2024). Challenging the current hypothesis that thrombosis is responsible for the post-COVID-19 condition. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haematology. 8(4): 102442.
    
5. Chaplin M, Dwan K. Intention-to-treat analyses and missing outcome data: a tutorial. Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods (2024): 2(5): e12075. DOI: 10.1002/cesm.12075.
    
6. Fox T, Hunt BJ, Ariens RAS, Towers GJ, Lever R, Garner P, Kuehn R. Systematic reviews of clinical laboratory studies: pilot risk of bias tool developed by consensus. Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods. 2024;2:e12098.

The CIDG editorial base will permanently close at 5pm on Thursday 19th December 2024. 

We thank you again for your support over the years.

With best wishes from the CIDG editorial team