Evolution and Spread of Drug-Resistant Pathogens
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 19 December 2025 | Viewed by 17
Special Issue Editors
Interests: epidemiology and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance
Interests: carbapenems; microbial sensitivity tests; Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past decades, the evolution of resistant pathogens has intensified alarmingly, driven by the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human medicine, animal production, and agriculture. This scenario has favored the emergence of so-called “superbugs” — microorganisms capable of resisting multiple classes of antibiotics, including those considered last-resort treatments, such as carbapenems and colistin. These pathogens adapt rapidly through mechanisms like genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer, enabling resistance traits to spread across species and environments.
The transcontinental spread of these resistant organisms has become a critical concern for global public health. International travel, food trade, and the movement of animals and people contribute to the dissemination of resistance genes across countries and continents, making it increasingly difficult to contain outbreaks and implement effective control measures. In this context, surveillance, monitoring, and research are essential tools. The One Health approach is fundamental in addressing this complex issue.
The aim of this Special Issue of Microorganisms, entitled "Evolution and Spread of Drug-Resistant Pathogens", is to present a collection of articles that provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of scientific advances related to antimicrobial resistance. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Manuscripts covering all aspects of the evolution and dissemination of resistant pathogens are welcome, including molecular mechanisms of resistance, epidemiological surveillance, public health impacts, prevention and control strategies, and innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and antimicrobial stewardship. Submissions focusing on One Health perspectives that integrate human, animal, and environmental health are especially encouraged.
I look forward to receiving your contributions,
Prof. Dr. Marcos Paulo Vieira Cunha
Guest Editor
Dr. Elena Bello-López
Guest Editor Assistant
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.
Keywords
- antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- food-borne pathogens
- superbugs
- one health
- horizontal gene transfer
- mobile genetic elements (MGEs)
- surveillance and monitoring
- resistant pathogens outbreaks
- resistance mechanisms
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.
