Advancements in Pathogenic Bacteria: Detection, Genomic Analysis, and Antibiotic Resistance

Dear Colleagues,

The detection of pathogenic, identification and susceptibility testing have been the core of microbiology labs, either in the diagnostic fields or research laboratories.

Bacterial infections can have a devastating effect on patients, especially in cases of sepsis, deep-seated infections and meningitis, which are associated with high rates of mortality. In recent years, immunocompromised patients have challenged microbiologists because even commensal organisms with low pathogenicity can cause serious infections among these patients.

The identification of microorganisms, especially uncommon bacteria, is a challenge for microbiologists, who have been relying mainly on biochemical tests for identification; however, technology has advanced in this field and the use of mass-spectrum (MALDI_TOF) and genomic analysis has revolutionized this field. From specific PCR and real-time PCR assays to whole-genome sequencing, bacterial identification is becoming more sophisticated and challenging for microbiologists and new, reliable and easy-to-use tools are necessary.

The wide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among even common bacterial isolates has become another significant challenge, not only in terms of the identification of these pathogens but also in the development of faster detection methods, which could detect infected patients or carriers of such organisms, thus aiding in the prevention of dissemination to other patients and helping customize the use of the appropriate antimicrobial agent.

This Special Issue aims to provide a collection of articles that showcase the current issues relating to the detection, genomic analysis and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria.

Prof. Dr. Vlademir Vicente Cantarelli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• bacterial infections
• immunocompromised patients
• identification methods
• mass spectrometry
• genomic analysis
• antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• faster detection methods
• pathogenic bacteria
• new bacterial pathogens