Molecular Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Pathogens

Dear Colleagues, 

Vector-borne infectious diseases caused by viruses (e.g., dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile fever, yellow fever, Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever, tick-borne encephalitis, phlebovirus infections, etc.), bacteria (e.g., Lyme disease, rickettsioses, tularaemia, bartonellosis, etc.) or parasites (e.g., malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, filariasis, etc.) represent a significant fraction of the global infectious disease burden. One sixth of the cases of illness and disability worldwide is due to vector-borne diseases, many of which are caused by mosquito-borne RNA viruses. Every year, approximately 700,000 deaths are attributable to vector-borne diseases, posing substantial challenges to public health. Moreover, in the last few decades, we witnessed the emergence and reemergence of several vector-borne pathogens. Increasing global trade and travel, the destruction of wildlife habitats, and climate change influence the arrival, establishment, and dispersal of new pathogens, disease vectors, and reservoir species.Effective surveillance methods, powerful and rapid diagnostic assays, and containment measures are pivotal to prevent or limit outbreaks. Molecular techniques, culminating in whole genome sequencing, allow for the timely diagnostic, high-resolution characterization of pathogens, and can determine whether an emerging infectious disease occurs naturally or is due to a genetically modified microorganism. Microbial genomics in conjunction with host transcriptome analysis can facilitate the tailored use of antibiotics, without requiring traditional bacteria cultures. Besides the benefits to antibiotic stewardship in an era where antimicrobial resistance is rapidly increasing, such an application can greatly improve clinical care in the event of an emerging and highly virulent unknown microorganism.In this Special Issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences entitled "Molecular Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Pathogens", we aim to bring together studies on the molecular epidemiology and evolution of vector-borne pathogens. We invite you to submit original and review articles that cover different aspects of vector-borne diseases, especially with regard to diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, and evolution of emerging arboviruses and associated vectors and reservoirs.

Topics of this Special Issue

Original articles and reviews that focus on breakthroughs in vector-borne diseases are welcome. Potential topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the molecular epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens, studies on vectors (competence, ecology and invasive species) and vector–pathogen interaction, new technology applied to vector-borne disease diagnosis, novel approaches for limiting disease transmission, prevalence of infections in the field and microbiological or metagenomic analyses of vector microbiome.

Dr. Ani Ioana Cotar
Dr. Sorin Dinu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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