The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical issue for both civilians and the military. With each successive conflict, pathogens become more resistant, making the management of infections in casualties increasingly challenging. To better understand the scope and characteristics of conflict-related AMR, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed database in April 2025, using defined search terms related to war casualties and antimicrobial resistance. We screened and included 117 relevant publications, comprising original research articles, reviews, case series, case reports, editorials, and commentaries, published in English or French, with no date restriction. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on multidrug-resistant bacteria most commonly isolated from war casualties, their associated resistance mechanisms, and the microbiological diagnostic tools available at various levels of the military continuum of care (Roles 1–4). It also presents strategies for preventing cross-contamination and infection in resource-limited combat settings and provides practical, field-adapted recommendations for clinicians, from first responders to specialized care providers, aiming to improve infection management in armed conflict zones and mitigate the spread of AMR.

Background: In 2023, there were 36.4 million refugees worldwide, many of whom experience physical injuries, human rights abuses and psychological distress during displacement. However, their healthcare needs during and after resettlement are rarely met. Among them, chronic pain and its effective management, are under-recognized but prevalent problems of humanitarian care. The aim of this scoping review was to improve our understanding of the challenges in treating and managing chronic pain in refugee populations. Specifically, this scoping review aims to address the following objectives: (i) to identify and systematically map available evidence in the literature on chronic pain treatment for refugees (ii) to identify barriers to optimal pain management for refugees, and (iii) identify gaps within the knowledge base. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in five online databases to identify studies that examined or described treatment of chronic pain in refugees. Narrative analysis was conducted to describe the relevant themes extracted from the included literature. Results: 28 English-language articles were included, from which two general themes were identified regarding chronic pain treatment in refugees: (i) Pain Severity, and (ii) Psychological Correlates of Pain. Three themes were identified relating to barriers to optimal chronic pain management for refugees: (i) Sociocultural Considerations, (ii) Access to Adequate Healthcare and Medication, and (iii) Integrative Pain Management Interventions. Literature and practice gaps in the literature were also elaborated. Conclusion: It is essential to address barriers to optimal chronic pain management through multidisciplinary approaches that prioritize cultural competence and are tailored to the unique pre- and post-migration experiences of refugees. Furthermore, high-quality controlled studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of context-specific multidisciplinary pain management interventions.

Schistosomiasis is a parasitosis caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. Humans are infected when coming into contact with freshwater containing the parasites’ infective stages, which are amplified through freshwater-dwelling snails acting as intermediate hosts. Schistosomiasis has posed significant problems for troops exposed to freshwater in endemic regions ever since the Napoleonic wars. Schistosomiasis has substantial differences in clinical presentation, depending on the type of parasite, intensity of infection and reinfection, clinical form, and disease stage. It can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time, with well-known long-term morbidity and mortality risks. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis depends on its stage and relays on several tests, all with limitations in sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic gold standard is the detection of eggs in urine, feces, or tissue biopsies, but this can raise problems in patients such as military personnel, in which the worm burden is usually low. Praziquantel is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis. Currently, there is no available commercial vaccine against any Schistosoma parasite. Avoiding freshwater exposure is the best prevention. Herein, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of schistosomiasis in the military. This information may decrease the impact of schistosomiasis on this particular professional group.