Mycobacterial Infections and Human Disease: Emerging Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies/Boundaries

A special issue of Diseases (ISSN 2079-9721). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 August 2026 | Viewed by 3867

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Center for Infectious Disease Research, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
Interests: infectious diseases; tuberculosis; virology; HIV; host-pathogen interactions; novel therapies

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Guest Editor
Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
Interests: infectious disease; tuberculosis; drug resistance; host response

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Guest Editor
Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
Interests: bacterial infection; colonic crypt hyperplasia; cancer stem cells; mechanisms of chemoprevention by dietary factors and its novel derivatives
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue focused on Mycobacterial Infections and Human Disease: Emerging Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies/Boundaries. Mycobacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), M. leprae, and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), continue to pose serious public health challenges worldwide. Tuberculosis alone remains a leading cause of death from infectious disease, while the incidence of NTM infections is rising, especially among immunocompromised populations. Mtb has evolved from an environmental ancestor to become an obligate human pathogen, with its evolution intertwined with the history of human migration and adaptation. It is believed that Mtb acquired the ability to replicate within host cells and transmit efficiently between humans, becoming highly adapted to human populations. Understanding the complex host–pathogen interactions, mechanisms of immune evasion, antimicrobial resistance, and evolving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is critical for controlling these infections. This research area remains a global health priority due to persistent disease burden, diagnostic limitations, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.

This Special Issue aims to provide an in-depth exploration of current advances and challenges in the study of pathogenic mycobacteria and their impact on human health. The theme aligns with the journal’s scope, which covers molecular microbiology, infectious disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and translational medicine. The goal is to compile a minimum of 10 high-quality articles for a potential book publication.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Mycobacterial pathogenesis;
  • Immune response and evasion;
  • Diagnostic advancements;
  • Drug resistance mechanisms;
  • Vaccine and therapeutic development;
  • Epidemiology and clinical case studies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sameer Tiwari
Dr. Ashutosh Tripathi
Prof. Dr. Shahid Umar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • tuberculosis
  • pathogenesis
  • drug resistance
  • vaccine

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 422 KB  
Article
Nationwide Analysis of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Encephalitis-Related Diagnoses in Ecuador
by Karime Montes-Escobar, Christian Eduardo Ramirez-Veloz, Maribel Cecilia Pérez-Pirela, Roy Lincoln Solórzano Giler, Felix Vicente Zambrano Pico, Fanny Soraya Reyes-Mena, Julio Torres, Yulixis Cano and Aline Siteneski
Diseases 2026, 14(2), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14020082 - 21 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Encephalitis and related acute encephalopathic syndromes represent severe neurological conditions with diverse etiologies and variable clinical outcomes. This study aimed to analyze nationwide hospitalization patterns for encephalitis-related diagnoses in Ecuador between 2018 and 2024. Methods: We used data from the Ecuadorian National [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Encephalitis and related acute encephalopathic syndromes represent severe neurological conditions with diverse etiologies and variable clinical outcomes. This study aimed to analyze nationwide hospitalization patterns for encephalitis-related diagnoses in Ecuador between 2018 and 2024. Methods: We used data from the Ecuadorian National Institute of Statistics and Census to estimate age-adjusted hospitalization and mortality rates according to ICD-10 codes. Binary and multinomial logistic regression models were employed to identify sociodemographic factors and diagnostic categories of encephalitis associated with hospitalization and in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 1560 hospitalizations related to encephalitis-spectrum diagnoses were recorded, with an overall age-adjusted rate of 0.127 per 100,000 inhabitants and 6.0% in-hospital mortality. Unspecified encephalitis and encephalomyelitis were the most common diagnostic categories. Adolescents (10–19 years) were more frequently diagnosed with acute disseminated and bacterial meningoencephalitis, while patients aged ≥70 had higher odds of “other” encephalitis subtypes and the highest mortality risk (aOR = 0.265; 95% CI: 0.116–0.608). Indigenous individuals were more likely to be diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalitis, and Black individuals showed a higher risk for myelopathy associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy. Conclusions: Age and ethnicity significantly influence hospitalization due to encephalitis-related diagnoses in Ecuador. These findings provide epidemiological rates for a lower-middle–income country where the lack of precise diagnosis, age, and ethnicity contribute to the vulnerability of encephalitis. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 984 KB  
Review
Navigating Tuberculosis in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Review of Maternal and Neonatal Considerations
by Tiago Lima, Sandra Trigo, Eduarda Silveira, Gabriela Jorge da Silva and Sara Domingues
Diseases 2026, 14(3), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14030102 - 11 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite the availability of effective treatments and advances in diagnostic methods, TB remains the leading cause of death from infectious disease globally, with its incidence tending to increase. Pregnant women constitute a [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite the availability of effective treatments and advances in diagnostic methods, TB remains the leading cause of death from infectious disease globally, with its incidence tending to increase. Pregnant women constitute a population group with particular characteristics, as the diagnosis and treatment of certain conditions can be challenging. Early diagnosis and monitoring of TB by a multidisciplinary team are crucial to guide treatment and reduce complications. Congenital TB, although uncommon, is a serious complication that should be assessed in neonates, especially when the mother has previously been diagnosed with the disease. First-line anti-TB drugs are considered safe during pregnancy and lactation. In contrast, second-line drugs have a less well-established safety profile during breastfeeding, and the available evidence regarding their excretion in breast milk remains limited; therefore, their use requires individualised risk-benefit assessment. Data on this specific population group are limited, as physiological changes during pregnancy alter the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of drugs and the inclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials remains contentious. Routine TB screening in prenatal care, particularly in high-prevalence regions, is crucial to improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. This narrative review was based on a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2000–June 2025), using the keywords tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Eligible articles included original studies, reviews, and international guidelines. Full article
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