Advances in Streptococcus spp. Research: Pathogenicity, Resistance, and Clinical Implications

Dear Colleagues,

Background: The Streptococcus genus includes species implicated in both human and animal diseases, as well as others used in the dairy industry. Molecular genetics, taxonomic approaches and phylogenomic investigations detected more than 100 Streptococcus species and 9 subspecies. These studies also contribute to the establishment of pathogenic groups (pyogenic, mitis, anginosus, salivarius, bovis and mutans) related to zoonotic potential, multiple virulence mechanisms and resistance to antimicrobial agents with impact on health systems and economic losses to agriculture.

Goal: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Streptococcus spp. species are increasingly being reported as causative agents of invasive infections and nosocomial outbreaks. To prevent future challenges and ensure continuous vigilance by laboratories and the medical community, their clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological characteristics must be thoroughly investigated. A comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial pathogenic mechanisms involved is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies, as well as effective surveillance and control measures for streptococcal diseases.

Key pathogenic features include adhesive capabilities, metabolite exchange, intercellular communication, protection against antimicrobials, and evasion of host immune responses. Several antimicrobial resistance mechanisms have been identified in Streptococcus species. In particular, biofilm formation contributes to increased healthcare costs and prolonged hospital stays.

The infectivity of these pathogens is closely associated with surface-associated components and secreted virulence factors. Further research is needed to explore the phenotypic and genotypic aspects of virulence and antimicrobial resistance, particularly as they relate to complex adaptation strategies to host environments. These include resistance to reactive oxygen species and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), survival within professional phagocytes, immune evasion, modulation of host cell signaling pathways, and induction of cell death. Moreover, the use of invasive medical devices and empirical antibiotic therapy may facilitate the dissemination of these pathogens in hospital settings.

Scope and Information for Authors: For this research topic, we welcome the submission of original research articles, mini reviews, reviews and perspectives covering streptococcal pathogenesis in human, animal and zoonotic infectious diseases.

• Case reports by Streptococcus spp.
• Phenotypic and genotypic of Streptococcus spp. microbiological features.
• Antimicrobial resistance features and multidrug-resistance mechanisms of Streptococcus spp.
• Virulence determinants that contribute to Streptococcus spp. diseases.
• Host–pathogen interaction involving Streptococcus spp.
• Host cell-signaling pathways during infection by Streptococcus spp.
• Streptococcal glycans in pathogenesis.
• Innate immune modulation by pathogenic streptococci.
• Streptococcus agalactiae and its role in urogenital health and disease.
• Fish disease caused by pathogenic Streptococcus spp.
• Streptococcus spp. isolated from clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.
• Zoonotic potential of Streptococcus spp.
• Streptococcus spp. isolated from clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.
• Zoonotic potential of Streptococcus spp. and/or Corynebacterium spp.

Dr. Prescilla Emy Nagao
Prof. Dr. Louisy Sanches Dos Santos
Guest Editors

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• Streptococcus
• Corynebacterium
• epidemiology
• virulence
• antimicrobial resistance