Bacterial Pathogens
A section of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Section Information
Bacteria are ubiquitous in nature, with only a fraction able to cause infection and disease in plants, animals, or humans. But what defines a pathogen? Bacterial species dominate the microbial world, existing in a wide range of environments, from soil, aquatic, or extreme habitats to animal and arthropod hosts. When present in the microbiome, bacteria provide essential metabolites, compete with other microbes, communicate with the immune system, and promote health. Yet, virtually any bacterial species has the capacity to exist as a pathogen and associate with disease.
Research on bacterial pathogenesis aims to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms that induce or enable a disease state. This includes the study of toxins, secreted proteins, enzymes, surface proteins, and biofilms that help bacteria adhere to and invade host tissues, as well as subvert inflammation and immune cell function. The Bacterial Pathogens Section welcomes all submissions exploring the interactions between bacteria, their hosts, and the environment that culminate in infection or immunity. We especially welcome original or review articles that investigate the molecular and cellular interactions that drive virulence and evasion of immunity or explore the evolution of virulence and multi-drug resistance and the factors that lead to emerging and re-emerging outbreaks of bacterial diseases. We also welcome investigations into vaccines and treatments against bacterial diseases and attempts at understanding the prevalence of pathogens and drug resistance in the environment.
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Post-translational Modifications, a Powerful Mechanism for Bacterial Life and Survival (Deadline: 30 April 2025)
- Antibiotics, Antibiotic Alternatives, and Combination Antimicrobial Therapy (Volume 2) (Deadline: 10 May 2025)
- Foodborne Pathogens: The Antimicrobial Resistance from Farm to Fork (Deadline: 15 May 2025)
- Pathogenesis and Treatment of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections (Deadline: 15 May 2025)
- Emerging Antibiotic Resistance in Nosocomial Pathogens: Current Trends and Future Directions (Deadline: 15 May 2025)
- Understanding the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis (Deadline: 20 May 2025)
- Biology of Mycobacterial Pathogens (Deadline: 20 May 2025)
- Advanced Antimicrobial Agents: Combatting Multi-Drug Resistant Bacterial Infections (Deadline: 31 May 2025)
- New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms (Deadline: 20 June 2025)
- Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Wildlife: A “One Health” Approach to Surveillance, Transmission and Control (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Pathogenesis Mechanisms and Antimicrobial Strategies against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Zoonotic Streptococci (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Salmonella: A Global Health Threat and Food Safety Challenge (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Sepsis and Group A Streptococcus (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Current Research on Bacillus anthracis Infection (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Thinking Out-of-the-Box: Innovative Approaches for the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Infections (Deadline: 30 June 2025)
- Exploring the Epidemiology, Pathogenicity, and Therapeutic Options of Staphylococcus spp.: 2nd Edition (Deadline: 15 July 2025)
- Current Progress on Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance (Deadline: 20 August 2025)
- One Health Perspectives on Foodborne Pathogens: Evolution, Resistance, and Prevention (Deadline: 31 August 2025)
- Nonlethal Anti-Biofilm Agents (Deadline: 15 September 2025)
- Updates in Infective Endocarditis—2nd Edition (Deadline: 30 September 2025)
- Updates on Human Melioidosis (Deadline: 30 September 2025)
- Recent Advances in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)—2nd Edition (Deadline: 30 September 2025)
- Cutting-Edge Research on Pathogenic Neisseria (Deadline: 15 October 2025)
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Antibiotic Resistance (Deadline: 20 October 2025)
- Nosocomial Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance: Challenges and Solutions (Deadline: 31 October 2025)
- Diagnosis, Immunopathogenesis and Control of Bacterial Infections (Deadline: 15 November 2025)
- Listeria monocytogenes: Strategies for Survival and Pathogenicity (Deadline: 20 November 2025)
- Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens (Deadline: 20 November 2025)
- Mycobacterial Infection: Pathogenesis and Drug Development (Deadline: 15 December 2025)
- Dairy Cattle Health: Mastitis, Milk Quality, and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health Perspective (Deadline: 30 December 2025)
- Drug Resistant Pathogens: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Global Health Implications (Deadline: 31 December 2025)
- Acinetobacter baumannii: An Emerging Pathogen (Deadline: 31 December 2025)
- Bacterial Resistance and Novel Therapeutic Approaches (Deadline: 15 February 2026)
- Advances in Campylobacter Control Strategies in Poultry Production (Deadline: 30 April 2026)
Topical Collections
Following topical collections within this section are currently open for submissions:
