Detection and Analysis of Clinical Microbial Infections, Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a continuation of our previous Special Issue, “Detection and Analysis of Clinical Microbial Infections” (https://www.mdpi.com/si/156117 ).

Microbiological infections and diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. This issue has caused worldwide concern and requires the rapid detection and identification of the pathogens responsible for microbial infections. The first crucial and complex phase of the diagnostic process is the definition of the methods for collecting microbiological samples. In fact, depending on the heterogeneous diffusion and probable low number of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as on the chosen diagnostic method that will be used, sampling can be considered a difficult step, especially in chronic infections. The identification methods can be grouped into different clinical–diagnostic categories, namely, methods of isolation and culture with the determination of phenotypic and biochemical characteristics; morphological observation under microscope, particularly used for mixed microbial populations and non-culturable pathogens; antigenic tests, commonly used for their rapidity and simplicity; serological assays, with high specificity and sensitivity; and molecular biology techniques, for a definite microorganism recognition. "-Omics" technologies, in particular genomics (PCR, PFGE, ribotyping, RFLP, RAPD-PCR, DNA sequencing, WGS) and transcriptomics (qPCR, RNA sequencing), but also proteomics (MALDI-TOF MS) and metabolomics (mass spectrometry-based methods), with an improved advancement of their limit of detection, are considered the cornerstones of clinical microbial analysis.

In addition to the demand for a rapid and accurate diagnosis, due to new emerging microbial pathogens, there is a need for the greater standardization of testing and centralized laboratories with the ability to collect and analyze large quantities of samples and perform various identification techniques.

Research articles and systematic reviews are both welcome.

Manuscript topics may include the following:

• Identification of unculturable pathogens and mixed microbial populations.
• Sampling, culture, and isolation of the pathogen responsible for infectious diseases.
• Advantages and limits of clinical microbial identification techniques.
• New molecular biology techniques for microbial identification.
• Standardization of techniques and sample data centralization.

Dr. Stefano Ravaioli
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Microorganisms 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 2700 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.

• microorganisms’ detection and analysis
• clinical microbiology
• identification technologies
• new identification methods
• heterogeneous dissemination
• unculturable pathogens
• mixed microbial populations
• new emerging pathogens
• genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics
• standardization of testing
• sample data centralization