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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Pathogen Infection and Public Health
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Pathogen Infection and Public Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 2122

Special Issue Editors

Dr. José Arellano-Galindo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Unidad de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Laboratorio de Virología Clínica y Experimental, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
2. Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Medicina, Unidad Milpa Alta, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
Interests: population health; epidemiology; host-parasite interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Estela Gamiño-Arroyo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Infectología, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico
Interests: population health; epidemiology; host-parasite interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the emergence of humanity, pathogens have been responsible for outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics that have profoundly affected human populations. Over time, valuable lessons have been learned from the observations of microbiologists, virologists, immunologists, mycologists, and epidemiologists. These insights have facilitated the development of effective preventive and corrective measures.

In today's world, new technologies enable a swift response to epidemics. In this regard, molecular biology and genetic innovations serve as essential tools that enhance public health initiatives in prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

This Special Issue seeks to enhance our understanding of infectious diseases and their broader implications for public health. It focuses on exploring the impact of transmissible infectious diseases—including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections—on diverse global population health, economic systems, migration patterns, or chronic diseases.

We invite the submission of original research articles, case reports, reviews, perspectives, opinions, and letters to the editor that contribute to the advancement of knowledge regarding pathogens in public health and their role in improving human health outcomes.

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses, but is not limited to, the following areas:

  1. Epidemiological patterns and the behavior of pathogens associated with outbreaks and epidemics.
  2. Public health strategies for the promotion of health and the prevention of pathogen transmission in healthcare settings and the broader community.
  3. Methodologies for effective pathogen control in public health environments.
  4. Prophylactic interventions designed to manage and mitigate the impact of pathogens in public health contexts.

Dr. José Arellano-Galindo
Dr. Ana Estela Gamiño-Arroyo
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 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

  • infectious diseases
  • transmissible infections
  • outbreaks
  • population health
  • the relationship between the economy and health
  • migration's impact on health

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 3567 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Biocontrol Measures to Reduce Bacterial Load and Healthcare-Associated Infections
by Anna Vareschi, Salvatore Calogero Gaglio, Kevin Dervishi, Arianna Minoia, Giorgia Zanella, Lorenzo Lucchi, Elena Serena, Concepcion Jimenez-Lopez, Francesca Cristiana Piritore, Mirko Meneghel, Donato Zipeto, Diana Madalina Gaboreanu, Ilda Czobor Barbu, Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc, Luca Piubello Orsini, Stefano Landi, Chiara Leardini, Massimiliano Perduca, Luca Dalle Carbonare and Maria Teresa Valenti
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1923; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081923 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 406
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major clinical and economic burden, with pathogens such as Escherichia coli contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditional manual disinfection methods are often insufficient, particularly in high-risk hospital environments. In this study, we investigated innovative strategies [...] Read more.
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major clinical and economic burden, with pathogens such as Escherichia coli contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditional manual disinfection methods are often insufficient, particularly in high-risk hospital environments. In this study, we investigated innovative strategies to enhance surface decontamination and reduce infection risk. First, we assessed the efficacy of the SMEG BPW1260 bedpan washer-disinfector, a thermal disinfection system for human waste containers. Our results demonstrated a reduction in Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli contamination by >99.9% (>3 log reduction), as measured by colony-forming units (CFU) before and after treatment. Molecular techniques, including spectrophotometry, cell counting, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for DNA quantification, confirmed reduction in bacterial contamination. Specifically, Clostridium difficile showed a reduction of approximately 89% in both optical density (OD) and cell count (cells/mL). In the case of Escherichia coli, a reduction of around 82% in OD was observed, with an even more pronounced decrease in cell count, reaching approximately 99.3%. For both bacteria, DNA quantification by qPCR was below detectable limits. Furthermore, we optimized the energy efficiency of the disinfection cycle, achieving a 45% reduction in power consumption compared to standard protocols without compromising antimicrobial efficacy. Secondly, we developed a sustainable cleaning solution based on methyl ester sulfonate surfactants derived from waste cooking oil. The detergent’s antibacterial activity was tested on contaminated surfaces and further enhanced through the incorporation of nanoassemblies composed of silver, electrostatically bound either to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles or to conventional magnetic nanoparticles. Washing with the detergent alone effectively eliminated detectable contamination, while the addition of nanoparticles inhibited bacterial regrowth. Antimicrobial testing against E. coli revealed that the nanoparticle-enriched formulations reduced the average MIC values by approximately 50%, with MIC50 values around 0.03–0.06 mg/mL and MIC90 values between 0.06 and 0.12 mg/mL, indicating improved inhibitory efficacy. Finally, recognizing the infection risks associated with intra-hospital transport, we tested the SAFE-HUG Wheelchair Cover, a disposable non-woven barrier designed to reduce patient exposure to contaminated wheelchair surfaces. Use of the cover resulted in a 3.3 log reduction in surface contamination, based on viable cell counts. Optical density and bacterial DNA were undetectable in all covered samples at both 1 and 24 h, confirming the strong barrier effect. Together, these approaches—thermal no-touch disinfection, eco-friendly detergent boosted with nanoparticles, and protective transport barriers—respond to the urgent need for effective, sustainable infection control methods in healthcare settings. Our findings demonstrate the potential of these systems to counteract microbial contamination while minimizing environmental impact, offering promising solutions for the future of infection prevention in healthcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogen Infection and Public Health)
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10 pages, 2204 KB  
Article
First Report of Genetic Resistance to Azithromycin in Treponema pallidum from Blood Samples Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and People Living with HIV from Mexico
by Dayana Nicté Vergara-Ortega, Perla J. Santibañez-Amador, Santa García-Cisneros, María Olamendi-Portugal, Everardo Gutiérrez-Millán, Antonia Herrera-Ortíz, Verónica Ruíz-González and Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Alemán
Microorganisms 2025, 13(5), 1069; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051069 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 1531
Abstract
Syphilis is a re-emerging sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA). It especially affects vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and people living with HIV. Despite being treatable with benzathine penicillin G, a substantial increase [...] Read more.
Syphilis is a re-emerging sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA). It especially affects vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and people living with HIV. Despite being treatable with benzathine penicillin G, a substantial increase in TPA resistance to azithromycin has been reported in many countries. The objective of this study was to detect the resistance of T. pallidum (TPA) to macrolides in blood samples from men who have sex with men and people living with HIV using molecular methods in a cross-sectional study. The detection of both TPA and the resistance to azithromycin was achieved through molecular methodologies (nested PCR), which were applied to blood samples of people with asymptomatic syphilis. We report the first data on the molecular prevalence of TPA and the first identification of genetic resistance to azithromycin (punctual mutation A2058G) in Mexico. Resistance testing for syphilis is not routinely performed in Mexico, but azithromycin continues to be prescribed despite syphilis being treatable with benzathine penicillin G. Therefore, the surveillance of cases of syphilis treatment failure, especially in vulnerable populations, which are the population group that maintains the active transmission of TPA, is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogen Infection and Public Health)
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