Unraveling Genomic Mechanisms of Stress Tolerance and Antimicrobial Resistance in Foodborne Pathogens

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in stress tolerance among foodborne pathogens in response to various stimuli such as heat, sanitizers, antibiotics, and acidity, among others. Additionally, some bacteria like Escherichia coli have demonstrated the presence of not just individual resistance genes but entire genomic loci, such as the Transmissible Locus of Stress Tolerance (tLST). Other genomic elements, including the Listeria monocytogenes Stress Survival Islet 1 (SSI-1) and the Salmonella Genomic Island 1 (SGI1), have also been implicated in enhancing survival and multidrug resistance. In other cases, bacteria like Salmonella have acquired resistance through megaplasmids, such as the pESI-like plasmid, which facilitates the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance. The emergence of additional plasmids, such as the IncX4, IncHI2, and IncI1 types, carrying critical resistance genes (e.g., mcr-1 for colistin resistance or blaCTX-M for extended-spectrum β-lactamase production) is of growing concern.

This Special Issue aims to address existing gaps and showcase cutting-edge research in this field. We invite researchers to contribute manuscripts exploring all aspects of stress tolerance and antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens. Studies focusing on stressors such as heat, sanitizers, acidity, salinity, and osmolarity, as well as mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, including the role of emerging resistance genes, genomic islands, and mobile genetic elements, are especially welcome.

Dr. Eduardo Eustáquio de Souza Figueiredo
Dr. Vinicius Silva Castro
Guest Editors

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