Molecular Characterization of Gram-Negative Bacteria: Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence and Epidemiology, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1108

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Kerry, V92 NX94 Tralee, Ireland
Interests: multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria; molecular epidemiology; antimicrobial resistance; infection control measures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Kerry, V92 NX94 Tralee, Ireland
Interests: multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria; molecular epidemiology; virology; hemorrhagic fever viruses

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The success of the Special Issue “Molecular Characterization of Gram-Negative Bacteria: Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence and Epidemiology” has encouraged us to launch a second volume on the same topic. As a continuation of the Special Issue published in 2024, this second volume will focus on antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria and their molecular epidemiology.

Despite growing global attention, multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) Gram-negative pathogens—such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii—continue to pose a critical threat to public health.

These pathogens not only have a negative impact on the patients’ outcomes but also significantly increase the burden on healthcare systems due to prolonged hospital stays and heightened treatment costs. Although efforts have been made to control their spread, challenges remain. The irrational use and overuse of antimicrobials, combined with insufficient infection control practices, are key contributors to the persistence and evolution of resistance in clinical settings.

The second volume of this Special Issue will continue to explore these pressing issues, with a particular emphasis on advances in understanding resistance mechanisms, the development and role of virulence factors, and the molecular epidemiology underlying the dissemination of resistant strains. We are especially interested in studies that investigate novel therapeutic strategies, surveillance data, genomic insights, and emerging resistance patterns globally. Articles on all MDR Gram-negative bacteria will also be considered. Review articles are also welcome.

We are looking forward to your contributions!

Dr. Theodoros Karampatakis
Dr. Katerina Tsergouli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Gram-negative bacteria
  • virulence factors
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • molecular epidemiology
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Acinetobacter baumannii

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

40 pages, 1018 KB  
Review
Carbapenem-Resistant Serratia marcescens: Genomic Plasticity, Virulence Architecture, and the Expanding Threat of Multidrug Resistance
by Theodoros Karampatakis, Katerina Tsergouli and Payam Behzadi
Antibiotics 2026, 15(4), 359; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15040359 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 704
Abstract
Serratia marcescens is a highly adaptable Gammaproteobacterium with broad ecological distribution and growing clinical importance. Advances in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and pangenome analysis reveal extensive genomic plasticity, driven by mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as plasmids, transposons, integrons, prophages, and extracellular vesicles, which [...] Read more.
Serratia marcescens is a highly adaptable Gammaproteobacterium with broad ecological distribution and growing clinical importance. Advances in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and pangenome analysis reveal extensive genomic plasticity, driven by mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as plasmids, transposons, integrons, prophages, and extracellular vesicles, which collectively accelerate virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evolution. S. marcescens displays a dynamic accessory genome enriched in resistance and virulence determinants, supporting persistence in diverse environments, including hospital water systems. Clinically, S. marcescens is an emerging opportunistic pathogen associated with severe healthcare-associated infections, ICU outbreaks, and multidrug-resistant “superbug” phenotypes. Its resistome includes intrinsic AmpC β-lactamase, broad efflux systems, and chromosomal determinants conferring resistance to β-lactams, polymyxins, and multiple additional drug classes, while acquired ESBLs and carbapenemases urther limit therapeutic options. Integrating genomic, evolutionary, and clinical insights underscores the urgent need for improved surveillance, mechanistic understanding, and targeted interventions against carbapenem-resistant S. marcescens (CRSM). Full article
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