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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Epidemiology of Zoonotic Pathogens
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Epidemiology of Zoonotic Pathogens

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 1325

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mirela Imre

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences ” King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; wildlife medicine; veterinary medicine
Prof. Dr. Marius Stelian Ilie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences ” King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: parasitology; zoonoses; veterinary parasitology; ticks and tick-borne diseases; veterinary medicine & One Health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We, as veterinary professionals, are actively implicated in the battle against zoonotic agents. Zoonotic pathogens are defined as infectious agents that are transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa through various routes such as direct contact, intermediate vectors (e.g., mosquitoes or tick), or in the shape of water- and foodborne infections.

Over the last decades, changes in climatic conditions caused by the impact of humans on the environment, the intensification of human travelling and international migrations, as well as the globalization of livestock and goods trading have been associated with the geographical expansion and changes in the transmission pattern of zoonotic pathogens. In this regard, in most geographical areas, the prevention of human and domestic animal exposure to new zoonotic infectious agents should be among the most important concerns of the biomedical scientific community.

Based on these considerations, we are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue with original, high-quality research articles or reviews, aiming to provide up-to-date results in (i) all aspects regarding the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens within the human–animal–environment interface, (ii) risk factors influencing the distribution and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, or (iii) knowledge regarding the changes in the virulence and transmission patterns of zoonotic agents.

We look forward to receiving your contributions!

Dr. Mirela Imre
Prof. Dr. Marius Stelian Ilie
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

  • zoonotic
  • pathogen
  • infection

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 638 KiB  
Article
Cystic Echinococcosis in Hospitalized Children and Adults from Western Romania: 2007–2022
by Ana Alexandra Ardelean, Maria Alina Lupu, Laurentiu Vasile Sima, Gabriel Veniamin Cozma, Alexandru Nesiu, Alin Gabriel Mihu, Octavian Marius Cretu and Tudor Rares Olariu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(5), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051035 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 183
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious health problem in many countries worldwide, including in Romania, because of the high infection rates in both humans and animals. We retrospectively assessed the demographic and epidemiological features of CE in children and adults hospitalized in Western [...] Read more.
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a serious health problem in many countries worldwide, including in Romania, because of the high infection rates in both humans and animals. We retrospectively assessed the demographic and epidemiological features of CE in children and adults hospitalized in Western Romania between 2007–2022. Analyzed data were collected from the hospitals’ medical records. This research involved 426 subjects (3–90 years): 60 (14.1%) children and 366 (85.9%) adults. A decreasing trend in the number of cases was noted during the analyzed period (p = 0.004). Multiple-organ involvement was reported in 16.7% of the children and in 6.3% of the adults (p = 0.005). The liver was the most commonly affected organ. The rate of lung involvement was higher in children (25%) than in adults (13.1%) (p = 0.02). Most of the patients had one hospital presentation (74.9%). Multiple hospitalizations were reported in 40% of the children and 22.7% of the adults (p = 0.004). CE is a severe zoonotic disease that impacts individuals of all ages. Despite the decline in cases, CE remains a public-health problem in Western Romania. Health programs that target risk factors and control measures should be implemented to stop the parasite’s spread and maintain the trend toward reduced numbers of CE cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Zoonotic Pathogens)
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15 pages, 949 KiB  
Article
First Detection of Cryptosporidium Canis and Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Hospitalized Patients in Romania
by Rodica Georgiana Dărăbuș, Mirela Imre, Gheorghe Dărăbuș, Marius Stelian Ilie, Alexander Tudor Olariu, Diana Maria Dărăbuș, Voichița Lăzureanu, Ovidiu Roșca and Tudor Rareș Olariu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040931 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 352
Abstract
The study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium infection in hospitalized patients in Western Romania. Stool samples were collected from 175 patients, both male and female, aged between 2 months and 88 years, residing in urban and rural areas. The identification of Cryptosporidium was performed [...] Read more.
The study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium infection in hospitalized patients in Western Romania. Stool samples were collected from 175 patients, both male and female, aged between 2 months and 88 years, residing in urban and rural areas. The identification of Cryptosporidium was performed using a qualitative chromatographic rapid test, supplemented by the modified Ziehl–Neelsen method described by Henricksen and Pohlenz. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified through PCR analysis and Sanger sequencing. To assess potential risk factors for cryptosporidiosis, a questionnaire was administered to the study participants. Laboratory test results revealed a cryptosporidiosis occurrence of 7.42%, with a significantly higher occurrence observed in urban areas (p < 0.05). Two species were identified, C. parvum and C. canis, the latter being reported for the first time in humans in Romania. Among the assessed risk factors, only the area of residence significantly influenced the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection. The other evaluated risk factors—age, sex, concomitant microbial infections, contact with animals, use of public transport, international travel, frequenting children’s playgrounds, and swimming pools—although potentially involved in Cryptosporidium infection, did not have a significant contribution. This study represents the first report of C. canis identified in humans in Romania. Our results indicate a high occurrence of human cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized patients, with a significantly higher rate observed in individuals residing in urban areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Zoonotic Pathogens)
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10 pages, 4275 KiB  
Case Report
The First Report of a Pulmonary Abscess Due to Streptococcus intermedius in Rabbits in Romania
by Vlad Iorgoni, Ionica Iancu, Ionela Popa, Alexandru Gligor, Gabriel Orghici, Bogdan Sicoe, Corina Badea, Cristian Dreghiciu, Iasmina Luca, Paula Nistor, Janos Degi, Luminita Costinar, Corina Pascu and Viorel Herman
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040769 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Streptococcus intermedius is a Gram-positive coccus usually found in the normal digestive or respiratory flora of humans and in some animal species, including rabbits. In conditions of immunosuppression, it can cause serious infections that can be difficult to treat or can even lead [...] Read more.
Streptococcus intermedius is a Gram-positive coccus usually found in the normal digestive or respiratory flora of humans and in some animal species, including rabbits. In conditions of immunosuppression, it can cause serious infections that can be difficult to treat or can even lead to death if not treated properly. S. intermedius-induced infections must be taken seriously, and proper treatment needs to be provided as soon as the patient is diagnosed, because otherwise, these infections can evolve in such a dramatic way as to result in the death of the patient. This study reports the case of a young 5-month-old rabbit that was kept in good living conditions by its owner; however, the rabbit developed a respiratory infection that was not treated properly and was at first ignored by the owner. Due to the poor management, the infection became serious and ultimately ended with the death of the animal. The infection was caused by Streptococcus intermedius and affected the lungs, in which a large lung abscess developed, eventually leading to the animal’s death. Even though the etiological agent is a commensal of the digestive and respiratory flora, it can induce lethal infections in some cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology of Zoonotic Pathogens)
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