Bacterial leaf spot (BLS), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians , is an important disease affecting lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) production in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of Florida. Despite its economic impact, little is known about the potential role of alternate crops and weed hosts in pathogen persistence and epidemiology. This study evaluated the host range and persistence of X. hortorum pv. vitians on twelve vegetable crops and eight common weed species found in lettuce fields in the EAA. Vegetables at the three to four true-leaf stage were spray-inoculated under controlled greenhouse conditions, and disease severity (DS) was rated 12 days postinoculation using a 0 to 5 scale. Significant variation was detected for the DS in vegetable crops, and no visible symptoms of disease were seen in weeds. Escarole cultivar Siena was among the most susceptible accessions, whereas coriander cultivars exhibited intermediate disease severity. Parsley and dill (Apiaceae), as well as cabbage, kale, napa cabbage, mustard, and pak choi (Brassicaceae), remained symptom free; however, the bacterium was recovered from these species. Weed species developed no visible symptoms; however, bacterial recovery confirmed survival of the bacterium on several species, including ragweed parthenium, common purslane, southern sida, and Spanish needle. Isolations recovered from both nonsymptomatic vegetable crops and weeds elicited compatible reactions in susceptible lettuce ‘Okeechobee’ and hypersensitive response in resistant lettuce PI 358001-1, confirming identity and virulence. These findings suggest that other crops in the Asteraceae could be secondary hosts for the pathogen causing BLS in lettuce, that Apiaceae could play an intermediate role as a pathogen host, and that Brassicaceae and certain weeds might function as symptomless carriers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked antibiotic resistance as one of the 10biggest global threats, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. In Germany the developing resistance situation is critical. The resistance data of the most relevant drug-bug combinations are calculated with data from the German Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance (ARS) system. For four of these drug-bug combinations, incidence reduction targets for 2030 (bloodstream infections per 100,000 inhabitants) have been outlined in the German Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy (DART 2030) action plan. The incidence for the gram-positive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are currently within the target range. However, this is not the case for Escherichia coli with resistance to third generation Cephalosporins and Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, both of which are increasing in incidence. In an EU comparison, the incidence of AMR in Germany ranks in the middle.In addition to the resistance data and incidence, the Measuring Infectious Causes and Resistance Outcomes for Burden Estimation (MICROBE) project presents the absolute numbers of mortalities from infections with antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. In Germany, 40,000 deaths per year are associated with antibiotic-resistant infections, and in almost 10,000 of these cases the death was attributable to the antibiotic-resistant pathogen. This means that more people in Germany are dying from antibiotic-resistant infections than other infectious diseases.The effects on the healthcare system are substantial; the increasing antibiotic resistance in particular leads to greater burden of disease in haemato-oncological diseases and poses challenges to effective perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most pressing challenges to modern medicine, particularly within intensive care units (ICUs), where critically ill patients are at increased risk of acquiring infections caused by multidrugresistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pan drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens. The ICU environment serves as a focal point for the emergence, amplification, and transmission of resistant organisms due to high antimicrobial consumption, frequent invasive procedures, and increased patient vulnerability. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the global burden and epidemiology of MDR, XDR, and PDR pathogens in ICUs, with a focus on microbial distribution, resistance mechanisms, and clinical outcomes.A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases for studies published between 2005 and 2025. A total of 38 studies involving 42,517 ICU patients were included. Using a random-effects model, the pooled prevalence of MDR organisms was estimated at 47.3% (95% CI: 42.1–52.5), XDR at 21.8% (95% CI: 18.2–25.6), and PDR at 5.6% (95% CI: 3.9–7.6). Gram-negative organisms predominated, particularly Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Device-associated infections, especially ventilator-associated pneumonia, accounted for the majority of cases.The findings underscore the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance in ICU settings worldwide. Urgent strategies, including antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, and advanced diagnostics, are essential to mitigate this global threat

Objectives To characterize the epidemiology, seasonal fluctuations, and co-infection networks of pediatric respiratory pathogens in eastern China following the relaxation of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 7,473 throat swab samples collected from children (≤18 years) presenting with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) at a tertiary hospital in Nanjing between January 2024 and May 2025. Samples were tested for 13 common pathogens using a multiplex RT-PCR assay. Pathogen detection rates, temporal trends, and co-infection dynamics were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis tests, time-series smoothing, and network analysis. Results The overall pathogen detection rate was 61.8% (4,618/7,473), with no significant sex disparity (p = 0.267). Preschoolers (4–6 years) experienced the highest burden (68.3%), significantly exceeding other age groups (p < 0.008). Rhinovirus (RV, 16.9%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (12.4%), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV, 9.0%) were the most prevalent pathogens. Distinct seasonal signatures were observed: RSV peaked in winter (25.3% in March 2025), M. pneumoniae dominated in mid-summer (22.8% in August 2024), and RV maintained high year-round activity. Co-infections occurred in 17.5% of positive samples, with M. pneumoniae-RV and Adenovirus-RV being the most frequent combinations. Network analysis identified RV and M. pneumoniae as central connectors within the intricate co-infection landscape. Conclusions Pediatric respiratory pathogens have returned with strong, age-specific patterns in post-NPI eastern China. The pronounced “immunity debt” among preschoolers and the high rate of co-infections underscore the urgent need for enhanced multiplex surveillance and the expansion of vaccination programs for RSV and influenza.

Molecular detection and characterization of vector-borne pathogens in domestic cats (Felis catus) in Türkiye: The first report of Coxiella burnetii from cats in Türkiye.

Epidemiology and safety challenges of major transfusion-transmitted pathogens in Cameroon: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bacterial Threats to Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) Production: A Synthesis of Pathogen Diversity, Epidemiology and Control Strategies.

Pit latrines are widely used sanitation systems in underdeveloped countries. However, poor construction and maintenance often allow pathogenic bacteria to contaminate surrounding soil and water, facilitating the spread of enteric diseases. Young children are particularly vulnerable because geophagy (soil ingestion) increases exposure to fecal pathogens, leading to higher incidences of diarrhea, growth impairment, and mortality. This review investigates the association between pit latrine-derived contamination of water (surface and groundwater) and soil (including sludge) and its impacts on child health. Relevant studies were systematically collected, summarized, and compared. The health effects of pathogens, particularly among children aged 6-24months, are discussed, along with reported child mortality rates linked to fecal contaminated soil and water. Common pathogens identified in contaminated soils include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Bacteroides (HF183), and rotavirus, with several studies reporting multidrug-resistant strains. High child mortality from diarrhea and pneumonia has been consistently associated with poor sanitation and open defecation. Pit latrines promote aerobic decomposition at the sludge surface and anaerobic decomposition at depth, enabling pathogen survival, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil contamination. Improved latrine designs incorporating impermeable linings, along with phytoremediation strategies, may offer effective solutions to mitigate pathogen persistence and environmental contamination.

Bacterial leaf spot of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), caused by the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata (Psa), has emerged frequently in Serbia since its initial report in 2013. The latest disease outbreak was detected on cultivar Viola in 2023 in the Bačka region (Vojvodina). A diversity survey of Psa strains associated with bacterial leaf spot based on DNA profiling and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) identified novel, distinct Psa strains. BOX-, ERIC-, and M13-PCR produced the highest and equal number of visually distinct profiles within Psa strains, while GTG5 showed the lowest discriminatory power. MLSA ultimately resulted in the formation of two phylogenetic groups based on the gltA, gapA, and gyrB housekeeping genes and only one group based on the rpoD, which differed from that previously reported Serbian Psa strains. The representative strain Psa3223 tends to form a separate group, suggesting the presence of a novel allelic variant within the Psa population originating from Serbia, while the other Psa strains were homogeneous and mostly related to the reference strains PD193 and PD197. The newly isolated Psa strains exhibited high aggressiveness in the pathogenicity assay on sugar beet (cv. Viola). The results highlight unexplored genetic richness not only within the P. syringae species complex but also specifically within the Psa species. This finding contributes to better understanding of Psa population structure and provides a foundation for ongoing studies into the pathogen's evolution and epidemiology.

Plant diseases are a major limiting factor for world agricultural productivity, food safety, and economical growth. Caused by various groups of pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and phytoplasmas plant diseases may incur high losses in terms of severe yields and quality deterioration of products. During the past decades, plant disease management has been transformed from the exclusive use of chemical pesticides towards more sustainable and holistic methods. Conventional methods like chemical control continue to dominate, yet rising concerns regarding environment safety, human health hazards, and pathogen resistance have made it essential to implement complementary strategies. This review highlights biocontrol strategies involve biological control involving antagonistic microorganisms, cultural controls that interfere with pathogen life cycles, host plant resistance through traditional breeding and genetic engineering, and integrated pest management/IPM or integrated disease management/IDM that deploy multiple strategies for long-term performance. Molecular advances, biotechnology, and bioinformatics have, in addition, enriched disease diagnostic equipment and enabled resistant crop varieties to be bred. Precision farming and artificial intelligence, too, are increasingly participating in disease monitoring and forecast such that early detection and intervention may occur in time. Problems, however, persist, such as shift in pathogen epidemiology due to climate changes, restricted resources for smallholders, and sustainable adoption of friendly techniques that is sought in nature. There is still a problem represented by the gap between the positive results achieved in scientific research in the field of plant diseases and their application on the ground in agricultural fields, which requires the adoption of comprehensive programs in which governmental and non-governmental sectors contribute to implement the outputs of this research. This review outlines the historical evolution, present strategies, and innovative advancements in plant disease management. It emphasizes, too, the significance of multi-disciplinary plant disease management integrating modern technology, ecological hypotheses, and farmers' involvement such that agricultural systems may prove resilient and sustainable food generation may occur all over the globe.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a significant global health challenge. This review summarizes the major advances in clinical research or CAP between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Given the high prevalence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) in China, PCR test for MRMP was recommended in pediatric patients to guide appropriate antibiotic selection. Increased attention is warranted for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) due to their increasing prevalence and poor prognosis. PSI and CURB-65 scores remain the reliable tools for assessing the severity of CAP, while the SOFA-2 score may offer a promising approach for identifying patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Although multiplex PCR (mPCR), targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS), and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) have been widely adopted in clinical practice, current evidence does not demonstrate sufficient benefits in improving patient survival or optimizing antibiotic stewardship. A rational, empirical antibiotic strategy should be individualized according to local pathogen epidemiology, risk of antimicrobial resistance and aspiration, and patient's clinical presentation. Short-course antibiotic therapy guided by "clinical stability" criteria is reliable, yet achieving stability requires more time in elderly patients and cases with comorbidities. Cefpirome and lefamulin are new antimicrobial agents on the market, but further clinical data are needed to support their use in severe cases and elderly patients. Suraxavir marboxil (GP681), a newly antiviral agent drug targeting the polymerase acidic protein of the influenza virus RNA polymerase, has recently been approved in China. Extending the administration of steroids to severe CAP without septic shock should be approached with extreme caution. High level of C-reactive protein may serve as a potential indicator for identifying cases who could benefit from steroids. In addition, RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies will emerge as important strategies for preventing RSV pneumonia in high-risk populations.

Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium responsible for listeriosis, presents a considerable public health risk due to its high mortality rate and ability to cause severe disease, particularly in vulnerable populations. Elucidating the pathogen's history, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and virulence mechanisms is essential for developing effective control strategies and therapeutic approaches. This comprehensive review examines L. monocytogenes, encompassing its historical context, epidemiological patterns, clinical presentation, and virulence determinants, as well as current diagnostic techniques and management guidelines. A systematic search of databases was performed to identify pertinent peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and clinical guidelines. The review underscores key features of listeriosis, including its historical development, epidemiological trends, notable outbreaks and their public health implications, Listeria pathogenesis, and virulence attributes, recent advancements in detection and prevention, and the economic and social consequences of the disease. The findings highlight the importance of listeriosis as a foodborne pathogen and underscore the need for continued research and vigilance. L. monocytogenes remains a significant public health concern, requiring sustained research efforts and enhanced control measures to mitigate its impact. Future research initiatives should prioritize improving detection, prevention, and treatment strategies to alleviate the burden of listeriosis.

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) represent an escalating global health threat, compounded by the rapid emergence of antifungal resistance (AFR). This review synthesizes the contemporary landscape of AFR from clinical and microbiological perspectives, providing actionable insights for clinical practitioners. We examine the epidemiology of critical pathogens, including Candidozyma auris, clonal Candida parapsilosis, azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, and dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms, from genetic mutations in ERG11 and cyp51A to novel emerging epigenetic and adaptive strategies. We critically appraise the diagnostic gap between phenotypic testing and clinical urgency, highlighting the role of rapid molecular assays and next-generation sequencing. Finally, we evaluate evidence-based therapeutic strategies, including the integration of novel agents such as rezafungin, ibrexafungerp, olorofim, and fosmanogepix), while emphasizing the imperative of antifungal stewardship, infection prevention and control in mitigating resistance, and "One-Health" interventions.

Penile urethritis is acommon medical condition, usually caused by sexually transmitted pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) or Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Although the causative pathogens cannot be reliably distinguished based on the clinical presentation alone, symptom-oriented empirical antibiotic therapy is often administered in practical care. This is asummary of the recommendations from the S3 guidelines on the management of male adolescents and adults with symptoms of urethritis. The development of the guidelines was funded by the Innovation Committee of the Federal Joint Committee (Innovationsausschuss des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses, G‑BA; grant number 01VSF21021). The guidelines present asymptom-oriented, evidence-based approach for suspected penile urethritis, considering pathogen epidemiology and possible coinfections and contains aflowchart for clinical management. This includes criteria for or against empirical antibiotic therapy before receiving pathogen detection results as well as guidance on the classification as gonococcal or non-gonococcal urethritis based on clinical and microscopic findings. The recommendations for empirical therapy advise against the use of azithromycin as first-line treatment of urethritis to avoid further promoting resistance in NG and MG. Adetailed presentation of the recommendations and underlying evidence can be found in the freely accessible guideline publication at the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF): https://register.awmf.org/de/leitlinien/detail/013-099 .

This retrospective study analyzed epidemiological features of infections by 13 common respiratory pathogens among children in Shenzhen, China, from January 2020 to February 2025. A total of 73,886 throat swabs from pediatric patients with suspected respiratory infections were tested using multiplex fluorescence PCR-capillary electrophoresis. Human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), and human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) were the most prevalent, with positive rates of 24.57%, 12.46%, 11.46%, and 6.86%, respectively. Pathogen positivity rates significantly differed between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2020-2022) and post-relaxation period (2023-2025) (P < 0.0001). Seasonal patterns shifted: HPIV peaked in summer, HRV in autumn-winter, MP in summer-autumn, and RSV in spring. After control measures eased, positivity increased across all age groups. HPIV was highest in children aged 6 months to 1 year, HRV in 3-6 years, MP in >6 years, and RSV in 0-6 months. Age- and sex-related differences were significant (all P < 0.001). These findings indicate that evolving COVID-19 mitigation strategies have altered epidemiological patterns, highlighting the need for targeted prevention considering high-risk groups, co-infections, and seasonality.IMPORTANCEThis large-scale pediatric study reveals how coronavirus disease 2019 control measures and their relaxation reshaped respiratory pathogen epidemiology in Southern China. We identified major shifts in seasonal peaks, age-specific susceptibility, and overall infection prevalence, particularly for human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and human parainfluenza virus. The narrowing or shifting of epidemic windows implies altered transmission dynamics, likely driven by nonpharmaceutical interventions and subsequent immunity gaps. The significant post-relaxation surge across all age groups underscores the vulnerability of children to multiple pathogens once restrictions ease. These findings provide crucial evidence for optimizing pediatric respiratory infection surveillance and designing adaptive, season- and age-specific prevention strategies to mitigate future outbreaks.

Pharmacist-led multidisciplinary review of carbapenem use in inpatients: A quasi-experimental study.

In 2019, pneumonia caused 740,180 deaths in children under five years of age, representing 22% of global mortality in this age group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health interventions markedly reduced the circulation of most respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2, leading to significant post-pandemic shifts in respiratory pathogen epidemiology. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology, clinical features, and risk factors associated with respiratory viruses and bacteria causing pneumonia in Mexican children during the late pandemic and post pandemic periods. Children younger than 14 years with pneumonia were recruited from seven hospitals in Mexico. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using a multiplex PCR panel detecting 19 viruses and 7 bacteria. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed (SPSS v25). A total of 1715 children were included: 704 during the pandemic (2021-2023) and 1011 post-pandemic (2023-2025). Co-infections (72% vs. 65%, p < 0.001), virus-virus co-infections (25% vs. 11%, p < 0.001), and single viral infections (20% vs. 15%, p = 0.007) were more frequent during the pandemic. Pathogen detection was high in both periods, though negative samples increased post-pandemic (5.4% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). During the pandemic, the 5 most frequently detected pathogens were rhinovirus (66%), RSV A and B (38%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (30%), Haemophilus influenzae (28%), human metapneumovirus (13%). In the post-pandemic period, the 5 most frequently detected pathogens were rhinovirus (52%), Haemophilus influenzae (36%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (35%), RSV A and B (28%), metapneumovirus (11%). Rhinovirus and RSV predominated during the pandemic, whereas Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, parainfluenza viruses, Bordetella pertussis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae significantly increased post-pandemic. Pediatric pneumonia epidemiology shifted from a predominantly viral profile during the pandemic to increased bacterial detections and virus-bacteria co-infections post-pandemic, alongside re-emergence of typical RSV and influenza seasonality. Higher mean age and rhinovirus as the most frequent pathogen persist after the pandemic. Sustained molecular surveillance and reinforced vaccination programs remain essential in the post-pandemic era.

To evaluate the role of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and its severity in emergency room (ER) visits in children. In this study we assessed the attendance rate, hospitalization and pathogen epidemiology of ARI and proportion of lower/upper respiratory tract infections (LRTI/URTI) in a pediatric ER. From December 1, 2023 to May 30, 2024, patients aged < 60months with ARI were recruited in a pediatric ER in Berlin. Nasopharyngeal multiplex real-time PCR was performed to identify respiratory pathogens. 5019 patients < 60months attended the ER, thereof 2025 (40.4%) had ARI, 168 were included (median age 19months). 100 (59.5%) had URTI and 68 (40.5%) had LRTI. Pathogens were detected in 152 cases (mono- and co-infections), with a total of 209 pathogens identified: 48 (22.5%) detections of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 31 (14.4%) of influenza (FLU), 55 (26.3%) rhinovirus (RV), 1 RSV/FLU (0.5%), and 75 (35.9%) of other viral pathogens. RSV was found significantly more often in LRTI-cases, FLU in URTI-cases. Children with RSV were significantly younger than those with FLU or RV (median ages in months: RSV, 11; FLU, 31; RV, 20.5; p < 0.001 for pairwise comparisons with RSV). The overall hospitalization rate was 25.6%, predominantly due to LRTI (79.1%). Especially in RSV LRTI was dominant (100%) compared to FLU (40.0%) and RV (66.7%). Hospitalization rates differed significantly between pathogen groups (RSV = 42.5%, FLU = 16.7%, RV = 23.7%, p = 0.003). Among young children RSV infections contribute significantly to ER visits as well as hospitalization in the ER cohort. Overall, prevention strategies of ARI may reduce patient burden in the ER and hospitalization.

Disease epidemiology during the COVID-19 pandemic differed greatly across the globe. In contrast to early pandemic predictions, Africa recorded the fewest SARS-CoV-2 related hospitalizations and deaths. Hypotheses proposed to explain this paradox include underreporting, age demographics, climate, national mitigation strategies, lifestyle factors, pre-existing cross-reactive protection, and host genetic determinants. This traditional, narrative review evaluates these hypotheses investigated in the published literature, and highlights knowledge gaps which limit our understanding and obscure validation of potential explanations. It also discusses how responses to vaccines, the primary intervention sought to control infectious disease outbreaks, may vary both within the African population and across other continents. Potential explanations in the literature include pre-existing immunity, poor nutrition, immune modulating co-infections, comorbidities, microbiome composition, genetic polymorphisms, and demographic factors. Previous studies have shown that pre-existing (infection-derived) immunity or cross-reactive immune responses can augment vaccine-elicited positive responses and can protect against reinfection in a way similar to immunization. Conversely, there are also studies showing that prior immunity interferes with the efficacy of new vaccines through mechanisms like original antigenic sin and immune imprinting. Thus, there is need for more immunology studies to understand the relative contribution of pre-existing cross-reactive immune responses to the epidemiology of new pathogens. These studies are particularly essential to understand the differences between pandemic preparedness and population vulnerability, as well as to inform vaccine development and vaccine effectiveness monitoring studies. SARS-CoV-2 serves as an important case study to understand heterogeneity between and within populations in immune responses to both the pathogen and to vaccination. This understanding is crucial in informing vaccine research and development aimed at supporting the 100-day mission for when the next pandemic threat emerges.

Abstract Plant diversity in wild and agricultural plant communities has been shown to protect plant communities from pathogens, and the effects of many aspects of diversity (genetic diversity, species richness, evenness and their combination) on plant pathogen epidemiology have been examined. Diversity among plant functional groups (e.g. grasses, legumes and non‐leguminous forbs) is known to reduce plant diseases in natural and agricultural plant communities. However, potential interactions among plant functional groups and their effects on plant virus infection dynamics have not been examined. Insect‐vectored plant virus infection dynamics may differ among distinct plant host functional types (C 3 vs C 4 ) due to differences in their palatability to aphid vectors and plant physiological responses to environmental factors. Here, we evaluated the role of plant functional group diversity (richness and composition), and host functional type (three C 3 and three C 4 species) on plant virus infection in experimental annual plant communities that were inoculated with aphids carrying barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), a widespread and economically important generalist grass virus. We also assessed the relationships between community‐level virus prevalence and the productivity of the total community (grasses + forbs + legumes), as well as the component plant functional types. In this study, virus infection was not mitigated or amplified by increasing functional group richness or altered functional group composition, nor did virus infection vary between C 3 and C 4 grasses. However, we found a positive correlation between community‐level virus prevalence and C 3 grass production (but not C 4 production). Synthesis . Our findings indicated that plant virus infection in grasses was not diluted by plant functional group diversity. However, we found a positive relationship between community‐level virus prevalence and C 3 grass productivity. Together, these findings suggest that while plant diversity did not reduce the infection levels of a cryptic plant virus, mutualistic plant–virus interactions may contribute to enhanced ecosystem functioning via increased productivity.