Pathogens, Infections, and Public Health

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Public Health Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 1874

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Basic Health Sciences Department, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil
Interests: antimicrobial resistance (AMR); lab diagnostics systems; public health surveillance; emerging and re-emerging infections; insights into pathogen-host interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites original research articles, reviews, and short communications that examine the complex relationships between pathogens, infections, and public health. We welcome contributions that address the biology, epidemiology, diagnostics, prevention, and control of infectious diseases across different human populations. Manuscripts may focus on bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic pathogens, with particular emphasis on emerging and re-emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogen–host interactions. Studies showcasing innovative diagnostic techniques, genomic and molecular approaches, public health surveillance, and outbreak investigations are especially encouraged. We are also interested in perspectives on integrating laboratory capacity, health policy, and community-based strategies for enhancing infectious disease prevention and control. Multidisciplinary submissions that connect basic science, clinical applications, and public health practice are highly valued. By combining global and regional insights, this Special Issue will advance scientific understanding and support evidence-based strategies to address current and future infectious disease challenges.

Prof. Dr. Vlademir Cantarelli
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • infectious disease surveillance
  • molecular diagnostics
  • emerging and re-emerging infections
  • pathogen–host interactions
  • public health preparedness
  • global health security
  • zoonotic pathogens
  • epidemiology of infectious diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 2254 KB  
Article
Pathogens on High-Touch Surfaces in an Arid Megacity: A Longitudinal Molecular Surveillance Study
by Mohamad Taisir Ahmad Ghiba, Saleh Ahmed Eifan, Abdulkarim Fahad Alhetheel and Atif Hanif
Microorganisms 2026, 14(3), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14030626 - 10 Mar 2026
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Contaminated environmental surfaces (fomites) act as pathogen reservoirs, yet surveillance data in arid megacities like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—characterized by extreme heat and indoor climate control—remain limited. This study established a city-wide molecular baseline for surface contamination and evaluated meteorological influences. We conducted a [...] Read more.
Contaminated environmental surfaces (fomites) act as pathogen reservoirs, yet surveillance data in arid megacities like Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—characterized by extreme heat and indoor climate control—remain limited. This study established a city-wide molecular baseline for surface contamination and evaluated meteorological influences. We conducted a stratified, longitudinal study (February 2023–May 2024), collecting 270 swabs from seven zones, including hospitals, airports, ATMs, and community hubs. Samples were pooled (N = 55) and screened using QIAstat-Dx multiplex PCR panels. Nineteen pools (34.5%) tested positive. Viral pathogens (SARS-CoV-2, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus) were detected in 10 pools (18.2%) and non-viral pathogens (bacteria/parasites) in 13 pools (23.6%), with 7.3% co-detections. Hospitals and airports emerged as primary hubs for respiratory viruses, while Cryptosporidium was the most frequent non-viral pathogen (n = 6), predominating on ATM interfaces. Binary logistic regression indicated that higher ambient temperature was significantly associated with detecting viral rather than non-viral pathogens among positive samples (OR = 1.728, p = 0.032). Despite outdoor aridity, public surfaces in Riyadh harbored diverse pathogens. The link between heat and viral detection suggests indoor microclimates drive persistence during hot seasons, necessitating targeted hygiene measures in high-risk nodes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogens, Infections, and Public Health)
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17 pages, 2317 KB  
Article
Long-Term Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and Impact of Vaccination in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia: A Population-Based Study
by Tatjana Pustahija, Snežana Medić, Mioljub Ristić, Zagorka Lozanov Crvenković, Smiljana Rajčević, Svetlana Ilić, Teodora Turudija, Stevan Stojanović, Dušan Petrović and Vladimir Petrović
Microorganisms 2025, 13(11), 2504; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112504 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
This retrospective population-based study aimed to update the epidemiology of hepatitis B in Vojvodina, Serbia, and assess the impact of vaccination on acute and chronic forms of the disease. Surveillance data from 1978 to 2024 were analyzed by period, age/sex, and geographic distribution. [...] Read more.
This retrospective population-based study aimed to update the epidemiology of hepatitis B in Vojvodina, Serbia, and assess the impact of vaccination on acute and chronic forms of the disease. Surveillance data from 1978 to 2024 were analyzed by period, age/sex, and geographic distribution. Joinpoint and Poisson regression analyses were used to evaluate long-term trends in hepatitis B incidence and mortality rates and the vaccine-coverage effects, respectively. A decreasing trend in both acute and chronic hepatitis B incidence and mortality was observed over the study period. The average incidence rate declined from 11.51/100,000 in the pre-immunization period (1978–1987) to 1.68/100,000 during the universal immunization period (2006–2024). For chronic hepatitis B, the average incidence rates were 2.27 and 2.62/100,000 in the periods 1997–2005 and 2006–2024, respectively. Uneven spatial distribution was noted across municipalities. Poisson regression analysis showed that for every 1% increase in infant vaccine coverage in the previous year, the incidence rates of acute and chronic hepatitis B decreased significantly by 2.20% and 1.80%, respectively. These findings support the sustained effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination, particularly among children and adolescents, and underscore the importance of addressing subnational disparities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogens, Infections, and Public Health)
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