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Pathogens
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Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections
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Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Emerging Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2025) | Viewed by 11371

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Rino Rappuoli

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Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Interests: enetic detoxification; cellular microbiology; reverse vaccinology; pangenome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Mariagrazia Pizza

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Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
Interests: vaccines; pathogenesis; neisseria meningitidis; meningococcus; immunity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luisa Borgianni

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Guest Editor
Sclavo Vaccines Association, Siena, Italy
Interests: microbiology; antimicrobial resistance; vaccines

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS) is organizing the biannual meeting of the society that will be held in Florence in October 2024  (https://iums.org/news/iums2024-florence-october-23-25.html). In preparation for this meeting, IUMS partnered with Pathogens to publish papers that will be useful to inspire the discussions that will happen at the IUMS meeting. The focus of the articles will be on microbial pathogenesis and how this relates to emergency infections. Microbial pathogenesis is a fascinating field that studies how, among the trillion species of microorganisms that live on our planet, a subgroup of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites acquired the ability to cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Understanding the molecular mechanisms used by microorganisms to cause disease is extremely important for the development of diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic tools for diseases caused by pathogens. Knowledge of the pathogenicity mechanisms is also essential to understand how microorganisms can cause emerging infections by jumping species and by acquiring or evolving virulence factors. Papers describing any of the pathogenicity steps, including the attachment to hosts, evasion of the host defenses, and the ability to survive, multiply, establish the infection, and intoxicate the host, are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Rino Rappuoli
Prof. Dr. Mariagrazia Pizza
Dr. Luisa Borgianni
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 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. Pathogens 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 2200 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

  • microbial pathogenesis
  • emerging infections
  • viruses
  • bacteria
  • parasites
  • fungi

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 7537 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Distribution of Phytophthora Species Along an Elevation Gradient in Natural and Semi-Natural Forest Ecosystems in Portugal
by Carlo Bregant, Eduardo Batista, Sandra Hilário, Benedetto Teodoro Linaldeddu and Artur Alves
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010103 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 940
Abstract
Globally, forests are constantly threatened by a plethora of disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origin, such as climate change, forest fires, urbanization, and pollution. Besides the most common stressors, during the last few years, Portuguese forests have been impacted by severe decline phenomena [...] Read more.
Globally, forests are constantly threatened by a plethora of disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origin, such as climate change, forest fires, urbanization, and pollution. Besides the most common stressors, during the last few years, Portuguese forests have been impacted by severe decline phenomena caused by invasive pathogens, many of which belong to the genus Phytophthora. The genus Phytophthora includes a large number of species that are invading forest ecosystems worldwide, chiefly as a consequence of global trade and human activities. This paper reports the results of a survey of Phytophthora diversity in natural and semi-natural forest ecosystems in Portugal along an elevation gradient. Isolations performed from 138 symptomatic plant tissues and rhizosphere samples collected from 26 plant species yielded a total of 19 Phytophthora species belonging to 6 phylogenetic clades, including P. cinnamomi (36 isolates), P. multivora (20), P. plurivora (9), P. cactorum (8), P. lacustris (8), P. pseudocryptogea (8), P. amnicola (6), P. hedraiandra (6), P. pseudosyringae (5), P. thermophila (5), P. bilorbang (4), P. inundata (4), P. asparagi (3), P. citricola (3), P. gonapodyides (3), P. rosacearum (3), P. chlamydospora (2), P. pachypleura (2), and P. syringae (1). Overall, the data obtained highlight the widespread occurrence of P. cinnamomi in natural ecosystems from sea level to mountain habitats. The results of the pathogenicity tests carried out on 2-year-old chestnut plants confirmed the key role of P. cinnamomi in the recrudescence of chestnut ink disease and the additional risk posed by P. pachypleura, P. plurivora, and P. multivora to Portuguese chestnut forests. Finally, three species, P. citricola, P. hedraiandra, and P. pachypleura, are reported for the first time in the natural ecosystems of Portugal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections)
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14 pages, 1269 KiB  
Article
Clinical Snapshot of Group A Streptococcal Isolates from an Australian Tertiary Hospital
by Phoebe K. Shaw, Andrew J. Hayes, Maree Langton, Angela Berkhout, Keith Grimwood, Mark R. Davies, Mark J. Walker and Stephan Brouwer
Pathogens 2024, 13(11), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13110956 - 1 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1305
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a human-restricted pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases from pharyngitis and scarlet fever to more severe, invasive infections such as necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. There has been a global increase [...] Read more.
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) is a human-restricted pathogen that causes a wide range of diseases from pharyngitis and scarlet fever to more severe, invasive infections such as necrotising fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. There has been a global increase in both scarlet fever and invasive infections during the COVID-19 post-pandemic period. The aim of this study was the molecular characterisation of 17 invasive and non-invasive clinical non-emm1 GAS isolates from an Australian tertiary hospital collected between 2021 and 2022. Whole genome sequencing revealed a total of nine different GAS emm types with the most prevalent being emm22, emm12 and emm3 (each 3/17, 18%). Most isolates (14/17, 82%) carried at least one superantigen gene associated with contemporary scarlet fever outbreaks, and the carriage of these toxin genes was non-emm type specific. Several mutations within key regulatory genes were identified across the different GAS isolates, which may be linked to an increased expression of several virulence factors. This study from a single Australian centre provides a snapshot of non-emm1 GAS clinical isolates that are multiclonal and linked with distinct epidemiological markers commonly observed in high-income settings. These findings highlight the need for continual surveillance to monitor genetic markers that may drive future outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections)
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10 pages, 771 KiB  
Communication
Trueperella Pyogenes—Strain Diversity and Occurrence in Dairy Herds
by Nicole Wente, Stefanie Leimbach, Svenja Woudstra and Volker Krömker
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070534 - 24 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2352
Abstract
Trueperella (T.) pyogenes is a mastitis-causing pathogen formerly known to cause severe clinical mastitis (CM), especially during the summer, leading to milk losses and low recovery rates. Unfortunately, its transmission behavior within herds is unclear. The diversity and occurrence of T. pyogenes were [...] Read more.
Trueperella (T.) pyogenes is a mastitis-causing pathogen formerly known to cause severe clinical mastitis (CM), especially during the summer, leading to milk losses and low recovery rates. Unfortunately, its transmission behavior within herds is unclear. The diversity and occurrence of T. pyogenes were monitored to gain an initial insight into the infection transmission behavior of T. pyogenes in dairy herds and to lay a foundation for following targeted investigations. CM milk samples were collected from German herds, and one Swedish farm was sampled for isolates from subclinical mastitis. All in all, 151 T. pyogenes isolates from 16 herds were isolated, identified by MALDI TOF analysis and typed with RAPD PCR. Of these, 17 isolates originated from subclinical mastitis cases. We found that T. pyogenes mastitis occurred year-round, and clinical mastitis cases were caused by multiple strains (31 affected animals/28 strains). Instances of multiple cows being infected with the same T. pyogenes strain were rare and typically only involved a small number of animals at a time. However, if several quarters of a cow were affected, it was likely the same strain. Unlike clinical infections, subclinical T. pyogenes infections, in one investigated farm, harbored a dominant strain. Additionally, we found that T. pyogenes infections tended to persist and stay within a herd for a minimum of 7 months in the same or different cows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections)
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Review

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27 pages, 7290 KiB  
Review
Introduction of Vector-Borne Infections in Europe: Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Pathogens with Potential Impact on One Health
by Jacopo Logiudice, Maria Alberti, Andrea Ciccarone, Benedetta Rossi, Giorgio Tiecco, Maria Antonia De Francesco and Eugenia Quiros-Roldan
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010063 - 12 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1994
Abstract
The rise and resurgence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Europe pose an expanding public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and ecological disruptions. Both arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) transmitted by ticks such as Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever and arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, [...] Read more.
The rise and resurgence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Europe pose an expanding public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and ecological disruptions. Both arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) transmitted by ticks such as Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever and arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis have broadened their distribution due to rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, and increased human mobility. By emphasizing the importance of interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, integrated One Health strategies are crucial in addressing this complex issue. Europe faces increased risk due to the expanding habitats of disease-carrying organisms, the spread of new species like Aedes albopictus since 2013, and increased movement of infected individuals between countries, leading European countries to implement strategies such as enhanced surveillance systems, public awareness campaigns, and prompt outbreak response strategies. However, the lack of both targeted antiviral therapies and vaccines for many arboviruses, together with undetected or asymptomatic cases, hamper containment efforts. Therefore, it is important to have integrated strategies that combine climate modeling, disease surveillance, and public health interventions to address expected changes in disease patterns due to global changes. This review explores the spread of arboviruses in Europe, highlighting their historical context, current transmission dynamics, and their impact on public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections)
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24 pages, 357 KiB  
Review
Understanding Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers: Virus Diversity, Vector Ecology, and Public Health Strategies
by Roger Hewson
Pathogens 2024, 13(10), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100909 - 18 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2959
Abstract
Viral haemorrhagic fevers encompass a diverse group of severe, often life-threatening illnesses caused by viruses from multiple families, including Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Peribunyaviridae, and Phenuiviridae. Characterised by fever and haemorrhagic symptoms, these diseases challenge public health [...] Read more.
Viral haemorrhagic fevers encompass a diverse group of severe, often life-threatening illnesses caused by viruses from multiple families, including Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Nairoviridae, Peribunyaviridae, and Phenuiviridae. Characterised by fever and haemorrhagic symptoms, these diseases challenge public health systems by overwhelming healthcare facilities, complicating diagnostic processes, and requiring extensive resources for containment and treatment, especially in resource-limited settings. This discussion explores the intricate relationships between VHFs and their transmission vectors—both animal and arthropod—and examines the impact of ecological and geographic factors on disease spread. The primary transmission of VHFs typically occurs through direct contact with infected animals or via bites from haematophagous arthropods, facilitating zoonotic and, at times, human-to-human transmission. With an emphasis on the role of diverse wildlife, domesticated animals, and vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks in the epidemiology of VHFs, there is a recognised need for robust surveillance and strategic public health responses to manage outbreaks. This review discusses the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches that integrate virology, ecology, and public health to enhance diagnostic capabilities, develop vaccines and antivirals, and improve outbreak interventions. Exploring the ecological and biological dynamics of VHFs will help bolster a deeper understanding of these emerging viruses and underpin preparation for future outbreaks. The importance of enhanced global cooperation, continuous research, and collaboration to mitigate the public health threats posed by these complex infections is a central theme, serving as a foundational strategy to reinforce worldwide preparedness and response efforts. Future directions include addressing gaps in vaccine development and tailoring public health strategies to the unique challenges of managing VHFs, such as the rapid mutation rates of viruses, the need for cold chain logistics for vaccine distribution, and socio-economic barriers to healthcare access, in order to ensure readiness for and effective response to emerging threats worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Pathogenesis and Emerging Infections)
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