Special Issue "Feature Papers"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Lawrence S. Young
Research (Life Sciences and Medicine) and Capital Development, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Website: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/mds-hub/young-lawrence-hub.aspx
E-Mail: L.S.Young@warwick.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1214 146876
Interests: viral oncology; virus latency; viral immunology; gene therapy; herpesviruses; papillomaviruses; adenoviruses

Submission

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. Papers will be published continuously (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as 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 refereed through a 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 quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. For the first couple of issues the Article Processing Charge (APC) will be waived for well-prepared manuscripts. English correction and/or formatting fees of 250 CHF (Swiss Francs) will be charged in certain cases for those articles accepted for publication that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Interaction of phenol-soluble modulins with phosphatidylcholine vesicles
Author: Anthony C. Duong, Gordon Y. C. Cheung, and Michael Otto*
Affiliation: School Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; E-Mail: MOtto@niaid.nih.gov (M.O.)
Abstract: Several members of the staphylococcal phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptide family exhibit pronounced capacities to lyse eukaryotic cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, and erythrocytes. However, it is not understood which structural components of the peptides or the target membranes determine the degree of lysis. According to one hypothesis, the amphipathic, alpha-helical structure that gives PSMs detergent-like characteristics allows for a relatively non-specific destruction of biological membranes. Here, we analyzed lysis of synthetic phosphatidylcholin (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, POPC) vesicles by all Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis PSMs. In addition, we investigated the lytic capacities of culture filtrates obtained from different S. aureus psm deletion mutants toward POPC vesicles. Our results show strongly differing capacities among PSM peptides to lyse POPC vesicles. Interestingly, however, POPC vesicle-lytic capacities did not correlate with those previously seen for the lysis of eukaryotic cells. For example, the beta-type PSMs were strongly lytic for POPC vesicles, but are known to exhibit only very low lytic capacities toward neutrophils and erythrocytes. Our results suggest that the interaction between PSMs and eukaryotic membranes is more specific than previously assumed, potentially depending on additional structural features of those membranes, such as phospholipid composition or yet unidentified docking molecules.

Type of Paper: Review
Title: From Exit to Entry: Long-term Survival and Transmission of Salmonella
Authors: L. Waldner and Aaron P. White
Affiliation: Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; E-Mail: aaron.white@usask.ca
Abstract: Salmonellosis is one of the leading zoonotic infectious diseases worldwide and poses a serious health concern. While we have a good understanding of pathogenesis and the host-pathogen interactions underlying the infection process, comparatively little is known about the survival of pathogenic Salmonella outside their hosts. This review focuses on three areas: (1) in vitro evidence that Salmonella spp. can survive for long periods time under harsh conditions; (2) conclusions from a long history of tracing back from human outbreaks, and (3) new information revealed by genomic- and population-based studies of Salmonella and related enteric pathogens. We highlight the potential mechanisms of Salmonella transmission as an essential part of their lifecycle and something that is required for their evolutionary success as human pathogens.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Pandemic A (H1N1) Influenza Vaccine Amongst Essential Service Providers: a Cross Sectional Study
Author: Rachel Jordan
Affiliation: Unit of Public Health, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Public Health Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; E-Mail: r.e.jordan@bham.ac.uk
Abstract: Objectives: In March 2009 the first cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were recorded. Although mentioned in the UK pandemic plan, essential service providers were not among the priority groups. They may be important targets of future influenza pandemic vaccination campaigns, therefore we aimed to identify factors affecting intention to accept the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine among police workers in the UK. Methods: Cross-sectional study. 380 employees from West Midlands police headquarters and 15 operational command units in the West Midlands Area were given questionnaires between Dec 2009 and Feb 2010. Results: 199 (52.4%) Police Employees completed the questionnaire. 39.7% were willing to accept the vaccine. The most common reasons for intention to accept were worry about catching Swine Flu (n=42 (53.2%) and about infecting others (n=40 (50.6%)). The most common reason for declination was worry about side effects (n=45 (57.0%)). The most important factor predicting vaccine uptake was previous receipt of seasonal vaccine (OR 7.9 (95%CI 3.4, 18.5)). Employees aged <40 years, males, current smokers, and those who perceived a greater threat and severity of swine flu were also more likely to agree to the vaccine. Conclusions: The findings of this study could be used to improve immunisation strategies if vaccination of essential service providers is implemented in future influenza outbreaks. Targeted education programmes should be used to address the misconceptions held by many individuals; in this case the single most important factor which might lead to a large improvement in uptake is to allay the concern about side effects.

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Factors affecting medical students’ uptake of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine
Author: Rachel Jordan
Affiliation: Unit of Public Health, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Public Health Building, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; E-Mail: r.e.jordan@bham.ac.uk
Abstract: Background: Pandemic influenza vaccination rate amongst healthcare workers in England 2009/2010 was sub-optimal (40.3%). Targeting medical students before they enter the healthcare workforce is an attractive future option. This study assessed the H1N1 vaccine uptake rate amongst medical students and factors that influenced this. Methods: Anonymised, self-administered questionnaire at a medical school. Results: The uptake rate amongst 126 medical students offered the vaccine was 49.2% and intended uptake amongst 77 students was 63.6%. Amongst those offered the vaccine, the strongest barriers to acceptance were fear of side effects (27.1%), lack of vaccine information (20.3%), lack of perceived risk (18.0%) and inconvenience (14.3%). Having a chronic illness [OR 3.4 (95%CI 1.2-10.2)], 4th/5th year of study [OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.3-7.1)], and correct H1N1 knowledge [OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.1-6.0)] were positively associated with uptake. Non-white ethnicity was an independent negative predictor of uptake [OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.8)]. Students who accepted the H1N1 vaccine were three times more likely (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.2-7.7)) to accept future seasonal influenza vaccination. Conclusion: Efforts to increase uptake should focus on routine introduction of influenza vaccine and creating a culture of uptake during medical school years, evidence-based education on vaccination, and improving vaccine delivery.

Title: Factors Affecting the Acceptance of Pandemic A (H1N1) Influenza Vaccine Amongst Essential Service Providers: a Cross Sectional Study 

Author: Rachel Jordan

Abstract: Objectives: In March 2009 the first cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were recorded. Although mentioned in the UK pandemic plan, essential service providers were not among the priority groups. They may be important targets of future influenza pandemic vaccination campaigns, therefore we aimed to identify factors affecting intention to accept the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine among police workers in the UK. Methods: Cross-sectional study. 380 employees from West Midlands police headquarters and 15 operational command units in the West Midlands Area were given questionnaires between Dec 2009 and Feb 2010. Results: 199 (52.4%) Police Employees completed the questionnaire. 39.7% were willing to accept the vaccine. The most common reasons for intention to accept were worry about catching Swine Flu (n=42 (53.2%) and about infecting others (n=40 (50.6%)). The most common reason for declination was worry about side effects (n=45 (57.0%)). The most important factor predicting vaccine uptake was previous receipt of seasonal vaccine (OR 7.9 (95%CI 3.4, 18.5)). Employees aged <40 years, males, current smokers, and those who perceived a greater threat and severity of swine flu were also more likely to agree to the vaccine. Conclusions: The findings of this study could be used to improve immunisation strategies if vaccination of essential service providers is implemented in future influenza outbreaks. Targeted education programmes should be used to address the misconceptions held by many individuals; in this case the single most important factor which might lead to a large improvement in uptake is to allay the concern about side effects.