Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. in Humans and Animals: Virulence Potential, Antimicrobial Resistance, Genomic Trends and Approaches

Dear Colleagues,

The Streptococcus genus comprises species implicated in human and animal diseases, in addition to other species used in dairy industries. 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 impacts on health systems and economic losses to agriculture.

Enterococci are important causes of human infections, including bloodstream, surgical site, and urinary tract infections. Enterococci are also one of the most common zoonotic bacteria. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are categorized as a serious public health threat, requiring prompt and sustained action. Moreover, enterococci resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, and vancomycin require other treatments such as daptomycin and linezolid. Therefore, characterizing antibiotic resistance mechanisms and monitoring emerging sequence types associated with resistance are required.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) streptococci and enterococci species have been reported with increased frequency as pathogens of invasive infections and/or nosocomial outbreaks. A detailed understanding of multifactorial pathogenic mechanisms is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches and surveillance and control strategies relative to streptococcal diseases, including adhesive activities, metabolite exchange, cellular communication, and protection for antimicrobials and against host immune attacks. Consequently, the formation of bacterial biofilms leads to an increase in healthcare costs and extended hospitalization. The infectivity of the pathogens is linked to cell-surface components and/or secreted virulence factors. Additional studies remain necessary to investigate phenotypic and genotypic properties of virulence mechanisms and resistance to antimicrobial agents involved in multifactorial and complex adaptation strategies relative to host environmental conditions, such as the production of reactive oxidative species and neutrophil extracellular traps, survival within professional phagocytes, escaping the host’s immune response, and the modulation of host-cell signaling and cellular death. Invasive medical devices and/or empirical antibiotic therapy may contribute to the dissemination of invasive infections in hospitalized patients.

In this research topic, we welcome original research articles, mini reviews, reviews, and perspectives covering streptococcal pathogenesis in human, animal, and zoonotic infectious diseases:

• Antimicrobial resistance features and multidrug-resistance mechanisms of Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp.;
• Virulence determinants that contribute to Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. diseases in human and animals;
• Host–pathogen interactions involving Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp.;
• Host cell-signaling pathways during infection by Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. ;
• Streptococcal glycans in pathogenesis.;
• Innate immune modulation by pathogenic streptococci and enterococci.;
• Fish disease caused by pathogenic Streptococcus spp.;
• Streptococcus spp. isolated from clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.;
• Enterococcus spp. isolated from food-producing animals and meat.;
• Zoonotic potential of Streptococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp.

Dr. Prescilla Emy Nagao
Guest Editor

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• Streptococcus
• Enterococcus
• epidemiology
• virulence
• antimicrobial resistance