Arboviral and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Tropics: Challenges in Molecular Evolution, Pathogenesis, and Surveillance

Dear Colleagues,

Tropical regions remain epicenters for the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, particularly arboviruses that continue to pose major public health threats worldwide. Climate instability, ecological disruption, and expanding urbanization have reshaped vector–host dynamics, facilitating viral adaptation and the resurgence of neglected tropical pathogens. This Special Issue aims to bring together recent advances in the molecular evolution, epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, and surveillance of arboviral and other emerging infectious diseases in tropical areas. We welcome original research, reviews, and short communications addressing topics such as virus–host interactions, immune evasion mechanisms, genomic and metagenomic surveillance, vaccine development, vector control innovations, and One Health approaches to outbreak prediction and prevention. Contributions focusing on re-emerging bacterial or parasitic infections under similar ecological pressures are also encouraged.

The Special Issue entitled “Arboviral and Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Tropics: Challenges in Molecular Evolution, Pathogenesis, and Surveillance” aims to present recent research on any aspect of emerging and re-emerging pathogens affecting tropical regions. Some of its focal points include, but are not limited to, the following: 

1. Molecular evolution and genomic diversity of emerging pathogens among tropical arboviruses;
2. Mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, immune evasion, and host–pathogen interactions;
3. Innovative molecular and serological diagnostic approaches for early detection and differentiation of infections;
4. Vector ecology, transmission dynamics, and environmental determinants of disease emergence;
5. Surveillance systems, outbreak prediction, and genomic epidemiology in tropical settings;
6. Development of vaccines, antivirals, and integrated vector control strategies within a One Health framework.

Dr. Marcos Lázaro Moreli
Guest Editor

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