The Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in Livestock: A One Health Approach

Dear Colleagues,

Infectious diseases in livestock represent a persistent threat to animal health, food security, public health, and global trade. These diseases often result in significant economic losses and may serve as sources of zoonotic agents with pandemic potential. As the world faces increasing challenges, such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and the intensification of animal production systems, comprehensive strategies for diagnosing, preventing, and controlling infectious diseases have become more important than ever.

This Special Issue aims to bring together original research articles, reviews, short communications, and case reports addressing the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and epidemiology of infectious diseases in livestock. The scope also includes contributions that highlight the One Health dimension of these diseases, considering the complex interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment.

Understanding the clinical aspects, pathogenesis, and associated pathological changes is crucial for to achieve accurate diagnosis and carry out targeted interventions and effective surveillance of infectious diseases in livestock. In parallel, the precise identification of infectious agents through classical microbiological methods, molecular diagnostics, metagenomic sequencing, and advanced proteomic techniques allows for a deeper understanding of microbial diversity and pathogenic potential. Furthermore, integrating epidemiological studies, preventive measures, and appropriate control and treatment strategies is essential to mitigate disease impact and reduce the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance within animal production systems. Climate change has notably altered ecological dynamics and expanded the range and seasonality of many pathogens and vectors, contributing to the emergence or reemergence of infectious diseases. The growing interface between domestic livestock and wildlife, as exemplified by outbreaks of avian influenza, underscores the importance of adopting a One Health approach to infectious disease surveillance and control.

We welcome contributions focused on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Molecular and conventional diagnostics for infectious agents in livestock;
• Pathogenesis and pathological changes (gross and microscopic);
• Epidemiological surveillance and outbreak investigations;
• Vaccination strategies and therapeutic interventions;
• Host–pathogen interactions and immune response;
• Antimicrobial resistance in animal production systems;
• Zoonotic pathogens and One Health implications;
• Genomic and metagenomic tools for pathogen characterization;
• Disease modeling and risk assessment in animal populations;
• The impact of climate change and farming systems on infectious disease emergence.

This Special Issue will provide a timely and comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and innovations in the field. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Ricardo Barbosa Lucena
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Microorganisms 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 2700 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.

• infectious agents
• pathogenesis
• molecular diagnostics
• proteomics
• antimicrobial resistance
• epidemiological surveillance
• vaccines
• therapeutic strategies
• zoonoses