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8.2
4.7
Journals
Microorganisms
Special Issues
Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases
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Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 8203

Editor

Dr. Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
Interests: infectious diseases; children

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, infectious diseases have been the leading cause of death among children, adolescents, and individuals with immune system dysfunctions for many centuries. It was only with recent scientific advancements, including the development of new antibiotics, vaccines, and increased awareness of epidemiology, that significant improvements in the prevention and treatment of numerous infections were achieved. As a result of these efforts, a false sense of security has emerged, leading to the marginalization of the significance of pediatric infectious diseases.

However, recent years have shown a resurgence in the incidence of infectious diseases in children. Environmental and climatic changes, significant human migration, and anti-vaccination movements have led to an increase in the number of patients with both well-known and newly emerging infections in various regions. At the same time, the emergence of new diagnostic methods, particularly molecular-based tests and the widespread availability of "rapid antigen tests," has enabled early detection of infectious diseases in children. Long-term monitoring and immunological studies provide valuable insights into the role of pathogens in the development of autoimmune processes.

These developments highlight the need for continuous exploration of new therapeutic approaches against infectious diseases, based on pharmacology, immunology, and the utilization of the child's own defense mechanisms. We invite submissions of articles on these pressing issues, contributing to the ongoing advancement of pediatric health and the fight against infectious diseases.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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

  • pediatric
  • infectious diseases
  • viral infection
  • bacterial infection
  • parasites
  • therapy
  • epidemiology
  • immunization

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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37 pages, 5366 KB  
Article
Oral Microbiota Composition and Its Association with Gastrointestinal and Developmental Abnormalities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
by Zuzanna Lewandowska-Pietruszka, Magdalena Figlerowicz and Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081822 - 4 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1856
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances, dietary selectivity, and altered stress responses, with growing evidence pointing to gut–brain axis involvement. While intestinal microbiota has been extensively studied, the role of the oral microbiota remains underexplored. This study investigates the [...] Read more.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances, dietary selectivity, and altered stress responses, with growing evidence pointing to gut–brain axis involvement. While intestinal microbiota has been extensively studied, the role of the oral microbiota remains underexplored. This study investigates the associations between oral microbiota composition and behavioral, gastrointestinal, dietary, and neuroendocrine parameters in children with ASD. A total of 45 children aged 2–18 years comprised the study group. Data collection included oral swabs for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, salivary cortisol sampling, dietary records, and standardized behavioral assessments using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. A total of 363 microbial species across 11 phyla were identified. Significant correlations were observed between specific bacterial taxa and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), dietary patterns, salivary cortisol rhythms, and functioning. Children with FGIDs, food selectivity, or macronutrient imbalances exhibited enriched pro-inflammatory taxa (e.g., Selenomonas, Megasphaera), whereas those with typical cortisol secretion or higher adaptive functioning showed greater microbial diversity and abundance of health-associated genera (e.g., Bifidobacterium dentium). These findings suggest that oral microbiota profiles may reflect systemic physiological and neurobehavioral traits in children with ASD. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships and support the development of microbiota-targeted interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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14 pages, 992 KB  
Article
Increased Measured GFR and Proteinuria in Children with Previous Infection by SARS-CoV-2: Should We Be Concerned?
by Alessia Marcellino, Silvia Bloise, Carmelo Pirone, Giulia Brandino, Antonio Barberi, Emanuela Del Giudice, Vanessa Martucci, Mariateresa Sanseviero, Flavia Ventriglia and Riccardo Lubrano
Microorganisms 2025, 13(5), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051008 - 27 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2160
Abstract
Over the past 3 years, several kidney complications in children with severe involvement by SARS-CoV-2 have been described. However, literature data are still lacking regarding possible kidney injury in children with paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, we retrospectively evaluated renal function in those patients. [...] Read more.
Over the past 3 years, several kidney complications in children with severe involvement by SARS-CoV-2 have been described. However, literature data are still lacking regarding possible kidney injury in children with paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, we retrospectively evaluated renal function in those patients. Children between 3 and 18 years, without any renal disease, with previous paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection from May 2020 to March 2022, were recruited at our post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic. We retrospectively collected: Glomerular filtration rate, Fractional-excretion-of-sodium (FENa), tubular-reabsorption-of-phosphate (TRP), calcium-creatinine-urine ratio (CaU/CrU); proteinuria/m2/day and microhematuria by urine cytofluorometry. A total of 148 children were enrolled after a median period of 3 (IQR 6) months after infection. Twenty-six patients (17.6%) had reduced GFR, fifty (33.9%) had hyperfiltration, eleven (7.4%) had abnormal FENa and/or TRP, twenty-two (14.9%) had hypercalciuria, seventy-eight (52.7%) had pathological daily proteinuria. Microhematuria was found in sixteen (10.9%) subjects. Hyperfiltration was more prevalent among males (38.9% vs. 22.4%, p = 0.027); CaU/CrU [median 0.08 (IQR 0.09) vs. 0.13 (IQR 0.13) p = 0.003] was significantly higher in females. Our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 could determine, in a significant proportion of children, kidney damage characterized by hyperfiltration, proteinuria, and hematuria, warranting strict follow-up in these patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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Other

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14 pages, 1055 KB  
Case Report
Reactive Infectious Mucocutaneous Eruption (RIME) Associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae: Clinical and Immunological Insights from Pediatric Cases
by David M. Matea, Raluca Isac, Estera Boeriu, Patricia Urtila, Gabriela Doros, Mihaela Bataneant, Andrada L. Oprisoni and Smaranda T. Arghirescu
Microorganisms 2026, 14(2), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14020364 - 4 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1549
Abstract
Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) is a rare pediatric condition characterized by severe mucositis, minimal cutaneous involvement, and an infectious rather than drug-induced etiology. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. Pneumoniae) represents the most frequently identified trigger, although an increasing number of alternative pathogens [...] Read more.
Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) is a rare pediatric condition characterized by severe mucositis, minimal cutaneous involvement, and an infectious rather than drug-induced etiology. Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. Pneumoniae) represents the most frequently identified trigger, although an increasing number of alternative pathogens have been reported. Its clinical overlap with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) makes early recognition difficult. We reviewed literature data on the topic and described our center’s experience with three pediatric cases of M. pneumoniae-associated RIME. Medical records, laboratory results, and imaging were systematically analyzed. All patients were male, aged 2 to 12 years and originated from rural communities. Etiologic confirmation was achieved via M. pneumoniae IgM serology and/or polymerase chain reaction. Clinical exam modifications included multi-site mucositis (oral, ocular, genital) with variable skin involvement: absent in one case, a solitary palm ulcer in another, and widespread rash in the third. One patient required two hospitalizations within a six-month interval, confirming the possible relapsing phenotype of RIME. Another patient developed pneumonia, sepsis, and systemic inflammation. All received macrolide therapy, antifungals, mucosal supportive care, and systemic management as indicated. Recovery occurred within 10–21 days, with one patient exhibiting skin hyperpigmentation. These cases illustrate the heterogeneity of RIME, emphasize the importance of prompt recognition, etiology confirmation, and multidisciplinary management. RIME is a rare clinical condition in pediatric population, an uncommon but significant mucocutaneous clinical entity, important to be acknowledged by clinicians as a complication and/or extra-pulmonary manifestation of M. pneumoniae infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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