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Microorganisms
Special Issues
The Microbial Pathogenesis
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The Microbial Pathogenesis

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3138

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tingting Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Interests: the mechanisms of Type III protein secretion, and in particular the mechanisms by which the secretion machine engages its substrates
Dr. Canfeng Hua

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
Interests: gut microbiome; microbiome; rumen; campylobacter

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial pathogenesis is a rapidly evolving field that explores the intricate interactions between microbial pathogens and their hosts. It encompasses the molecular mechanisms through which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites invade host tissues, evade immune responses, and cause disease. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology have enabled deeper insights into microbial virulence factors, host–pathogen signaling pathways, and mechanisms of resistance and persistence. Understanding these processes is essential not only for developing new antimicrobial therapies and vaccines but also for advancing diagnostic and prognostic tools in clinical microbiology.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent progress in the study of microbial pathogenesis across diverse pathogens and disease systems. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications addressing molecular virulence mechanisms, host immune modulation, pathogen evolution, antibiotic resistance, and novel approaches for prevention and therapy. Studies employing cutting-edge techniques such as whole-genome sequencing, CRISPR-Cas, multi-omics integration, or in vivo infection models are particularly encouraged. Contributions from interdisciplinary fields such as microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and clinical research are also welcome.

We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Tingting Wang
Guest Editor

Dr. Canfeng Hua
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

  • microbial pathogenesis
  • virulence factors
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • antibiotic resistance
  • immune evasion
  • bacterial genomics
  • fungal infections
  • viral pathogenesis
  • molecular microbiology
  • host immune response

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4506 KB  
Article
Transmissibility of Clade IIb Monkeypox Virus in Young Rabbits
by Zhaoliang Chen, Lei Zhang, Linzhi Li, Mingjie Shao, Mingda Zhang, Zongzheng Zhao, Chao Shang, Zirui Liu, Juxiang Liu and Zhendong Guo
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092182 - 18 Sep 2025
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Abstract
The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has spread globally, posing a severe challenge to global public health. This study systematically evaluated the aerosol shedding dynamics of the epidemic Clade IIb MPXV strain in infected young rabbits, along with its direct contact and airborne transmission potential [...] Read more.
The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has spread globally, posing a severe challenge to global public health. This study systematically evaluated the aerosol shedding dynamics of the epidemic Clade IIb MPXV strain in infected young rabbits, along with its direct contact and airborne transmission potential among them. We found that young rabbits could be experimentally infected with MPXV, exhibiting distinct pathogenic features and viral shedding patterns. Young rabbits infected with MPXV shed the virus through nasal secretions and exhaled aerosols, peaking at 7 dpi. In total, 89–95.8% of virus-laden respiratory particles had a diameter ≥4.7 μm. Notably, MPXV can be efficiently shed and transferred among young rabbits through direct contact and airborne routes. The nasal secretions and exhaled virus particles from donor rabbits can be contacted or inhaled by recipient rabbits. Large amounts of viral DNA were detected in the nasal wash of rabbits exposed to contact or airborne exposure. Furthermore, virus particles invade the lungs, causing pathological changes and disseminating them to multiple organs. However, no infectious virus was successfully recovered from these recipient rabbits, as their exposed or inhaled MPXV dose might have been below the MPXV’s minimum infectious dose for young rabbits. These findings indicate that although the airborne transmissibility of the current MPXV strain is relatively limited, inhalation of viral particles following airborne exposure can still result in bodily damage. Continuous monitoring of MPXV transmissibility and mutation evolution is imperative to prevent efficient respiratory aerosol transmission, which guides global monkeypox prevention and control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbial Pathogenesis)
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17 pages, 4157 KB  
Article
Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Extracellular Polysaccharide from the Moss Endophyte Ovatospora brasiliensis During Pathogen Infection
by Jiayue Yang, Ying Sun, Mingchun Li and Qilin Yu
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2037; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092037 - 31 Aug 2025
Viewed by 700
Abstract
Acute inflammation is frequently triggered by pathogen infections and contributes to host mortality. In this study, a new exopolysaccharide (ObEPS) was isolated from the moss endophyte Ovatospora brasiliensis and characterized for its structure and biological activity. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that ObEPS was [...] Read more.
Acute inflammation is frequently triggered by pathogen infections and contributes to host mortality. In this study, a new exopolysaccharide (ObEPS) was isolated from the moss endophyte Ovatospora brasiliensis and characterized for its structure and biological activity. Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that ObEPS was mainly composed of galactose, glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid. Multi-angle light scattering and conformation analysis showed a molar mass of 105–106 Da and a compact chain conformation. In vitro experiments showed that ObEPS markedly inhibited nitric oxide production and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. In a systemic Candida albicans infection model, ObEPS combined with fluconazole significantly reduced fungal colony-forming units (CFUs)/g kidney from 3.8 × 105 to 0.1 × 105, with the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and tissue damage compared with the EPS-free groups suffering from C. albicans infection. Overall, these findings indicate that ObEPS has potent anti-inflammatory activity and may serve as a promising natural adjunct for mitigating infection-associated inflammatory damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbial Pathogenesis)
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Review

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29 pages, 1420 KB  
Review
Immunomodulation in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Targets, and Clinical Implications
by Vasiliki Epameinondas Georgakopoulou and Vassiliki C. Pitiriga
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1876; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081876 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1602
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections globally, particularly affecting infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. While recent advances in prophylaxis, such as long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal immunization, offer promise for prevention, therapeutic options for [...] Read more.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections globally, particularly affecting infants, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. While recent advances in prophylaxis, such as long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal immunization, offer promise for prevention, therapeutic options for active infection remain limited. Severe RSV disease is often driven not solely by viral replication but by dysregulated host immune responses, including excessive cytokine production, T helper type 2 (Th2) and T helper type 17 (Th17) cell polarization, and impaired interferon signaling. RSV has evolved sophisticated immune evasion strategies, such as inhibition of dendritic cell maturation, degradation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) via nonstructural proteins 1 and 2 (NS1/NS2), and interference with pattern recognition receptor signaling, particularly Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors. These mechanisms result in attenuated innate immune responses and defective adaptive immunity, contributing to viral persistence, immunopathology, and recurrent infections. Moreover, age-dependent vulnerabilities, such as immune immaturity in infants and immunosenescence in older adults, exacerbate disease severity. Excessive immune activation leads to bronchiolitis, airway remodeling, and long-term sequelae including wheezing and asthma. Emerging immunomodulatory therapies aim to restore immune balance, targeting cytokines (e.g., interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β]), the Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of the transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway, or inflammasome activity. Host-directed therapies and direct-acting antivirals are also under investigation. A better understanding of RSV–host immune interactions is critical for optimizing therapeutic strategies and designing effective vaccines. This review synthesizes current knowledge on RSV immunopathogenesis and highlights immunomodulation as a promising frontier for therapeutic intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbial Pathogenesis)
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