Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.1
2.4
Journals
Medicina
Special Issues
Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
share announcement

Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 2509

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Iulia-Cristina Bagiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: microbiology; bacteriology; antimicrobial resistance phenotypes; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Florin George Horhat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: microbiology; bacteriology; antimicrobial resistance phenotypes; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infectious diseases have posed a significant threat to human health throughout history, leading to widespread morbidity and mortality. From the advent of antibiotics and vaccines to modern diagnostic technologies, the field of infectious disease prevention and control has undergone transformative changes. However, the emergence of new pathogens, the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance, and the challenges of global interconnectedness continue to complicate efforts. The COVID-19 pandemic further illuminated the complexities of managing infectious diseases, emphasizing the critical need for adaptive, cutting-edge strategies in the face of evolving threats.

This Special Issue, entitled “Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control”, aims to highlight the latest advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of infectious diseases. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advancements in rapid pathogen detection;
  • The role of molecular diagnosis in infectious disease control;
  • Continuous antibiotic resistance surveillance and stewardship;
  • Novel microbiome findings;
  • Novel biochemical antimicrobials and their mechanisms of action;
  • Development of alternative therapies in antimicrobial resistance;
  • Antiviral resistance and strategies for developing novel therapeutics;
  • Next-generation vaccine development and deployment strategies;
  • mRNA technology and its expanding role in infectious disease prevention;
  • Artificial intelligence in infectious disease prediction and management;
  • Implementation of One Health approaches;
  • Harnessing epidemiological data for real-time public health interventions;
  • Telemedicine and remote monitoring in infectious disease management;
  • Global health policy and frameworks for pandemic preparedness.

This Special Issue highlights the importance of the future development of novel vaccine platforms, such as mRNA and viral vector vaccines, the use of phage therapy, possible alternative therapies, advancements in genomic surveillance and pathogen genomics, the role of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital health technologies, new approaches to antimicrobial stewardship and the development of alternative therapies, and the practical application of One Health approaches in medicine.

We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, narrative reviews, scoping reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses that address the latest trends in infectious disease prevention and control within medicine, as previously described.

Dr. Iulia-Cristina Bagiu
Dr. Florin George Horhat
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • antimicrobial stewardship
  • novel identification
  • molecular diagnosis
  • vaccines
  • artificial intelligence
  • epidemiology
  • healthcare policies
  • alternative therapy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

9 pages, 261 KB  
Article
Surveillance of Humans Exposed to the Potentially Rabid Animals and Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, 2015–2024
by Anamarija Jurčev Savičević, Josip Buzov, Inga Vučica, Ivana Marasović Šušnjara and Nora Josipa Savičević
Medicina 2025, 61(12), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61122119 - 28 Nov 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Although preventable, rabies represents a significant public health problem. An important part of prevention is the surveillance of people exposed to potentially rabid animals, carried out in the anti-rabies clinics of all public health institutes in Croatia. We aimed [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Although preventable, rabies represents a significant public health problem. An important part of prevention is the surveillance of people exposed to potentially rabid animals, carried out in the anti-rabies clinics of all public health institutes in Croatia. We aimed to analyze the burden of human animal-bite injuries, patient/biting animal characteristics, and the uptake of anti-rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Material and Methods: This retrospective study used medical records data ranging from 2015 to 2024 for all patients in the anti-rabies clinics in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. Results: A total of 4105 patients reported contact with a potentially rabid animal. The majority of examined people (52.6%) were working-aged adults (20–60 years). The largest proportion of reported injuries were recorded on the lower limbs (34.9%) and hands/fingers (32.3%). No contact with a proven rabid animal was recorded. PEP was received by 37.7% of those examined. Although dog exposure (68.9%) most frequently led to post-exposure care-seeking, PEP was most common after rodent (91.2%) and bat (87.5%) exposures. Conclusions: Improving public health education is the most effective method of preventing dog bites and thus reducing bite injuries. Promoting responsible dog ownership and behavior around animals, as well as avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, would likely reduce the need for PEP. The results of this study can also be used in planning health resources, primarily the availability of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin. In addition, they emphasize the importance of rabies prevention and the continued implementation of all preventive measures in collaboration between the human and animal health sectors. This research may be useful to future public health policies for the control of zoonotic infectious diseases, especially from a “One Health” perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control)
18 pages, 1599 KB  
Article
The Microbiological Spectrum and Antibiotic Resistance in Acute Acalculous and Calculous Cholecystitis: A Seven-Year Study in a Tertiary Center
by Cosmin Vasile Obleaga, Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian, Oana Mariana Cristea, Alexandra Rosu-Pires, Alexandru Marin Pascu, Mirela-Marinela Florescu, Claudiu Marinel Ionele, Ion Rogoveanu, Alexandru Valentin Popescu, Vlad Catanoiu and Sergiu Marian Cazacu
Medicina 2025, 61(11), 2028; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61112028 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 301
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is rare, mostly in older males, with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, critical illness, or systemic infection. Antibiotherapy before or after cholecystectomy is important for preventing septic shock and postoperative infections. Increasing antibiotic resistance was recently noted [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is rare, mostly in older males, with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, critical illness, or systemic infection. Antibiotherapy before or after cholecystectomy is important for preventing septic shock and postoperative infections. Increasing antibiotic resistance was recently noted and can complicate antibiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent cholecystectomy between 2018 and 2024 in the Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova was performed. The etiology of AAC, complications, hospitalization duration, mortality, positive bile cultures, and in vitro antibiotic resistance were analyzed. Results: A total of 802 calculous and 54 AAC were recorded. Patients with AAC were predominantly males (OR = 1.767, p = 0.043) with diabetes (OR = 2.049, p = 0.014) and were older (66.6 ± 13.2 vs. 61.4 ± 15.6, p = 0.014). Mortality was significantly higher in AAC (18.5 vs. 3.6%, OR = 6.058, p < 0.001), with longer hospitalization (mean 9.7 vs. 8.4 days) and more perforation. Positive bile cultures were recorded in 60.5–66.2% of cases, with a similar etiology in both forms of acute cholecystitis (mostly Gram-negative species, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus); 10 ESBL Escherichia coli and Klebsiella strains, 11 Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, and 1 Enterococcus VRE strain were recorded. Antibiotic susceptibility in vitro was similar in both AAC and calculous cholecystitis. Significant resistance to cephalosporins and quinolones was recorded; the lowest resistance was noted for amikacin, carbapenems, chloramphenicol, colistin (Gram-negative bacteria), and vancomycin. Conclusions: AAC was encountered in older males with diabetes, with a higher rate of complications and in-hospital mortality. Bile cultures were positive in 60.5–66.2%, predominantly with Gram-negative, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus species. Significant in vitro resistance to cephalosporins and quinolones was found. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1285 KB  
Article
Temporal Trends of Dengue Surveillance in Sardinia, Italy: Implications of Climate Change on Human and Entomological Monitoring
by Giovanna Deiana, Isabella Figoni, Antonella Arghittu, Guglielmo Campus, Giuseppe Satta, Cipriano Foxi, Andrea Piana, Paolo Castiglia and Marco Dettori
Medicina 2025, 61(11), 2024; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61112024 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 285
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Climate change is modifying the ecological and climatic conditions that influence the distribution and activity of arthropod vectors. Rising temperatures and prolonged warm seasons have favored the establishment of Aedes albopictus in Mediterranean regions, increasing the risk of autochthonous Dengue [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Climate change is modifying the ecological and climatic conditions that influence the distribution and activity of arthropod vectors. Rising temperatures and prolonged warm seasons have favored the establishment of Aedes albopictus in Mediterranean regions, increasing the risk of autochthonous Dengue transmission. Therefore, this study describes the evolution of Dengue surveillance in Sardinia between 2018 and 2024, integrating human and entomological data to assess trends, system performance, and implications for prevention and control. Materials and Methods: Data on human cases were retrieved from national notification systems (namely PREMAL, arbo.iss.it) and the New Health Information System. Entomological surveillance data were obtained from the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sardinia. Mosquitoes were collected using BG-Sentinel® traps and ovitraps, covering major cities and points of entry. Descriptive analyses were conducted for both datasets. Results: Sixteen Dengue cases were reported during the study period, all imported and laboratory-confirmed in 81% of cases. Most patients were adults (mean age 38 years), and 77% required hospitalization. The most frequent travel origins were Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. No autochthonous cases were identified. Entomological surveillance showed a progressive increase in Aedes albopictus captures from 2020 onwards, with seasonal peaks between September and October. Despite intensified sampling and expanded geographic coverage, no mosquito pools tested positive for the Dengue virus. Conclusions: Although no locally acquired Dengue infections have been detected, the widespread and increasing presence of Aedes albopictus indicates that Sardinia meets the ecological prerequisites for possible autochthonous transmission. Strengthening the timeliness and completeness of human surveillance, improving clinicians’ awareness of reporting requirements, promoting vaccination for travelers, and maintaining continuous entomological monitoring are essential to prevent and promptly manage future outbreaks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 525 KB  
Article
A Retrospective Study on the Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Gram-Positive Cocci in a Pediatric Department: A Single-Center Report from Egypt
by Mona Moheyeldin AbdelHalim, Shimaa A. Abdel Salam, Marwa O. Elgendy, Ahmed M. Abdel Hamied, Sultan M. Alshahrani, Ahmed R. N. Ibrahim and Heba Sherif Abdel Aziz
Medicina 2025, 61(6), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61061089 - 14 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1221
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The rising prevalence of drug-resistant organisms presents a significant challenge to healthcare, underscoring the importance of implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship programs. The success of these programs depends on access to accurate, evidence-based data reflecting local patterns of antibiotic resistance. [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The rising prevalence of drug-resistant organisms presents a significant challenge to healthcare, underscoring the importance of implementing effective antimicrobial stewardship programs. The success of these programs depends on access to accurate, evidence-based data reflecting local patterns of antibiotic resistance. This study aims to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of gram-positive bacteria isolated from pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective study over a five-year period, from January 2018 to December 2022, using microbiology laboratory records. Clinical samples included blood, urine, respiratory secretions, pus, wound, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pleural fluid. The analysis focused on the resistance patterns of gram-positive pathogens identified through routine culture procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, and vancomycin MIC was confirmed using the VITEK 2 system. Results: A total of 3223 gram-positive bacterial isolates were identified. Staphylococcus aureus, including 82.5% methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), exhibited high resistance to erythromycin (47.3%) and gentamicin (low potency) (32.1%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) showed the highest erythromycin resistance (up to 88.3%), while Enterococcus spp. demonstrated declining susceptibility to vancomycin, levofloxacin, and erythromycin. Across all isolates, vancomycin and gentamicin (high potency) showed the highest overall susceptibility. Resistance to cotrimoxazole and doxycycline declined over the five-year period. Conclusions: While a decline in resistance was noted for some agents, persistent resistance to key antibiotics (particularly erythromycin and gentamicin) among MRSA and CoNS remains concerning. These findings underscore the importance of targeted antimicrobial stewardship interventions and continuous surveillance to inform empirical therapy in pediatric settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop