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Microorganisms
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Prioritizing Diseases for Public Health in Emergency Contexts: A WHO...
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Prioritizing Diseases for Public Health in Emergency Contexts: A WHO Initiative

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 5162

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luca Roncati

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplantation, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
2. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Anatomical Pathology, University Hospital of Modena—Polyclinic, Modena, Italy
Interests: pathology oncology gynecology; human papilloma virus (HPV); epstein–barr virus (EBV); human herpes virus 8 (HHV8); coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS); nipah virus ebola virus
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, the number of potentially pathogenic microorganisms is very large, while resources for disease Research and Development (R&D) are limited. To ensure that efforts are targeted and productive, the World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled a list of priority diseases and pathogens for R&D in emergency contexts. These diseases represent the greatest risk to public health due to their pandemic-epidemic potential and/or the absence or insufficiency of countermeasures. This systematic approach explicitly aims to enable early and cross-cutting R&D preparation, also relevant for an unknown «Disease X». It represents the realization that a major international threat could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown as a cause of human disease.  At present, the priority infectious diseases are: (I) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); (II) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); (III) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS); (IV) Nipah & Henipaviral Diseases; (V) Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF); (VI) Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever (MHF); (VII) Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF); (VIII) Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF); (IX) Rift Valley Fever (RVF); (X) Zika Fever; (XI) Monkeypox; (XII) Plague. The scope of this Special Issue is therefore R&D in all these diseases to ensure progress in the interest of mankind and future generations, who in turn must absolutely respect the animals and nature around us following the One Health approach to avoid the outbreak of the aforementioned «Disease X».

Dr. Luca Roncati
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.

Keywords

  • coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
  • middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS)
  • nipah virus
  • ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF)
  • marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF)
  • lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF)
  • crimean–congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)
  • rift valley fever (RVF)
  • zika fever
  • monkeypox
  • plague

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 995 KiB  
Article
Usefulness of the CHA2DS2-VASc Score in Predicting the Outcome in Subjects Hospitalized with COVID-19—A Subanalysis of the COLOS Study
by Katarzyna Resler, Pawel Lubieniecki, Tomasz Zatonski, Adrian Doroszko, Malgorzata Trocha, Marek Skarupski, Krzysztof Kujawa, Maciej Rabczynski, Edwin Kuznik, Dorota Bednarska-Chabowska, Marcin Madziarski, Tymoteusz Trocha, Janusz Sokolowski, Ewa A. Jankowska and Katarzyna Madziarska
Microorganisms 2024, 12(10), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12102060 - 13 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1342
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to see if the CHA2DS2-VASc score (Cardiac failure or dysfunction, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]—Vascular disease, Age 65–74 and Sex category [Female] score) could have potential clinical relevance in [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of this study was to see if the CHA2DS2-VASc score (Cardiac failure or dysfunction, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]—Vascular disease, Age 65–74 and Sex category [Female] score) could have potential clinical relevance in predicting the outcome of hospitalization time, need for ICU hospitalization, survival time, in-hospital mortality, and mortality at 3 and 6 months after discharge home. Materials: A retrospective analysis of 2183 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at the COVID-19 Centre of the University Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, between February 2020 and June 2021, was performed. All medical records were collected as part of the COronavirus in LOwer Silesia—the COLOS registry project. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was applied for all subjects, and the patients were observed from admission to hospital until the day of discharge or death. Further information on patient deaths was prospectively collected following the 90 and 180 days after admission. The new risk stratification derived from differences in survival curves and long-term follow-up of our patients was obtained. Primary outcomes measured included in-hospital mortality and 3-month and 6-month all-cause mortality, whereas secondary outcomes included termination of hospitalization from causes other than death (home discharges/transfer to another facility or deterioration/referral to rehabilitation) and non-fatal adverse events during hospitalization. Results: It was shown that gender had no effect on mortality. Significantly shorter hospitalization time was observed in the group of patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Among secondary outcomes, CHA2DS2-VASc score revealed predictive value in both genders for cardiogenic (5.79% vs. 0.69%; p < 0.0001), stroke/TIA (0.48% vs. 9.92%; p < 0.0001), acute heart failure (0.97% vs. 18.18%; p < 0.0001), pneumonia (43% vs. 63.64%; p < 0.0001), and acute renal failure (7.04% vs. 23.97%; p < 0.0001). This study points at the usefulness of the CHA2DS2-VASc score in predicting the severity of the course of COVID-19. Conclusions: Routine use of this scale in clinical practice may suggest the legitimacy of extending its application to the assessment of not only the risk of thromboembolic events in the COVID-19 cohort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prioritizing Diseases for Public Health in Emergency Contexts: A WHO Initiative)
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13 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Trends in SARS-CoV-2 Cycle Threshold Values in Bosnia and Herzegovina—A Retrospective Study
by Almedina Moro, Adis Softić, Maja Travar, Šejla Goletić, Jasmin Omeragić, Amira Koro-Spahić, Naida Kapo, Visnja Mrdjen, Ilma Terzić, Maja Ostojic, Goran Cerkez and Teufik Goletic
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081585 - 4 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1013
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which led to the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted global public health. The proper diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for the effective control and management of the disease. This study investigated the [...] Read more.
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which led to the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly impacted global public health. The proper diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential for the effective control and management of the disease. This study investigated the SARS-CoV-2 infection using RT-qPCR tests from laboratories in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We performed a retrospective study of demographic data and Ct values from 170,828 RT-qPCR tests from April 2020 to April 2023, representing 9.3% of total national testing. Samples were collected from 83,413 individuals across different age groups. Of all tests, 33.4% were positive for SARS-CoV-2, with Ct values and positivity rates varying across demographics and epidemic waves. The distribution was skewed towards older age groups, although lower positivity rates were observed in younger age groups. Ct values, indicative of viral load, ranged from 12.5 to 38. Lower Ct values correlated with higher positive case numbers, while higher Ct values signaled outbreak resolution. Additionally, Ct values decreased during epidemic waves but increased with the dominance of certain variants. Ct value-distribution has changed over time, particularly after the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest/concern. Established Ct value trends might, therefore, be used as an early indicator and additional tool for informed decisions by public health authorities in SARS-CoV-2 and future prospective pandemics. Moreover, they should not be overlooked in future epidemiological events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prioritizing Diseases for Public Health in Emergency Contexts: A WHO Initiative)
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Review

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39 pages, 51849 KiB  
Review
Towards a Comprehensive Definition of Pandemics and Strategies for Prevention: A Historical Review and Future Perspectives
by Ricardo Augusto Dias
Microorganisms 2024, 12(9), 1802; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091802 - 30 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2303
Abstract
The lack of a universally accepted definition of a pandemic hinders a comprehensive understanding of and effective response to these global health crises. Current definitions often lack quantitative criteria, rendering them vague and limiting their utility. Here, we propose a refined definition that [...] Read more.
The lack of a universally accepted definition of a pandemic hinders a comprehensive understanding of and effective response to these global health crises. Current definitions often lack quantitative criteria, rendering them vague and limiting their utility. Here, we propose a refined definition that considers the likelihood of susceptible individuals contracting an infectious disease that culminates in widespread global transmission, increased morbidity and mortality, and profound societal, economic, and political consequences. Applying this definition retrospectively, we identify 22 pandemics that occurred between 165 and 2024 AD and were caused by a variety of diseases, including smallpox (Antonine and American), plague (Justinian, Black Death, and Third Plague), cholera (seven pandemics), influenza (two Russian, Spanish, Asian, Hong Kong, and swine), AIDS, and coronaviruses (SARS, MERS, and COVID-19). This work presents a comprehensive analysis of past pandemics caused by both emerging and re-emerging pathogens, along with their epidemiological characteristics, societal impact, and evolution of public health responses. We also highlight the need for proactive measures to reduce the risk of future pandemics. These strategies include prioritizing surveillance of emerging zoonotic pathogens, conserving biodiversity to counter wildlife trafficking, and minimizing the potential for zoonotic spillover events. In addition, interventions such as promoting alternative protein sources, enforcing the closure of live animal markets in biodiversity-rich regions, and fostering global collaboration among diverse stakeholders are critical to preventing future pandemics. Crucially, improving wildlife surveillance systems will require the concerted efforts of local, national and international entities, including laboratories, field researchers, wildlife conservationists, government agencies and other stakeholders. By fostering collaborative networks and establishing robust biorepositories, we can strengthen our collective capacity to detect, monitor, and mitigate the emergence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prioritizing Diseases for Public Health in Emergency Contexts: A WHO Initiative)
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