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Microorganisms
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Feature Papers in Public Health Microbiology
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Feature Papers in Public Health Microbiology

A topical collection in Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This collection belongs to the section "Public Health Microbiology".

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Editor

Prof. Dr. Michael L. Alkan

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor
School for International Health, Faculty for Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Interests: global health; clinical medicine; bacterial infections; HIV; COVID-19; tuberculosis; malaria; neglected tropical diseases; health care for under-privileged communities

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

The history of microbiology and public health begins with L. Pasteur, who coined the term ‘microbiology’, and made the first connection between microorganisms and disease. The next stage was initiated by R. Koch, who postulated the modes of transmission of infectious diseases and microbes. Furthermore, the history of public health begins with J. Snow, who linked the cholera epidemic in London with the contaminated neighborhood, collecting evidence and analyzing the data, thus leading to action.

In this feature, we attempt to describe how novel methods in microbiology can serve as instruments in collecting epidemiological data, the analysis of which can serve as a tool for public health. Understanding the factors that influence the spread of infection facilitates practical decision-making; it also furthers public health education, both of health care workers and the public at large, aiding understanding of the mechanisms of the spread of infection.

Prof. Dr. Michael L. Alkan
Collection 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 collection 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

  • public health
  • microbiology
  • disease
  • epidemiology

Published Papers (4 papers)

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2025

Jump to: 2024

12 pages, 2196 KiB  
Article
Lankesterella and Isospora Coccidians: Differences in Host Specificity of Blood Parasites in Passerines
by Ashwin Kumar Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam, Jana Brzoňová and Milena Svobodová
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040743 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 185
Abstract
Parasitic protozoa such as Lankesterella and Isospora are common in avian hosts, particularly in passerines. Despite their high prevalence, the diversity of these parasites within avian populations remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the diversity of Lankesterella and Isospora in passerine [...] Read more.
Parasitic protozoa such as Lankesterella and Isospora are common in avian hosts, particularly in passerines. Despite their high prevalence, the diversity of these parasites within avian populations remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the diversity of Lankesterella and Isospora in passerine birds, using the SSU rRNA gene to characterize and compare the genetic variation in both parasites across multiple avian host species. For Isospora, the extraintestinal blood stages and oocysts from feces were compared. Minimum spanning networks were constructed to visualize haplogroups in relation to host specificity and to reveal the identity of various developmental stages. A total of 122 sequences from eight passerine species were used to generate a haplotype network for Lankesterella, and a total of 103 sequences (64 from blood and 39 from feces) was used for Isospora. We detected a total of 36 haplotypes for Lankesterella and 33 haplotypes for Isospora. In Lankesterella, we confirmed that the sedge warbler has its own specific lineages, whereas other warbler species share lineages belonging to three haplogroups; blue, great, marsh and willow tits have their own unique groups of lineages. Isospora is less host-specific than Lankesterella in avian hosts; nevertheless, Isospora sequences from blood and feces were identical in their respective hosts. Our findings provide insights into the diversity and host specificity of blood coccidians; moreover, we molecularly characterized the developmental stages of Isospora. Full article
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12 pages, 1061 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Staphylococcus caprae Infections in Catalonia, Spain
by Javier Díez de los Ríos, María Navarro, Judit Serra-Pladevall, Sònia Molinos, Emma Puigoriol, Noemi Párraga-Niño, Glòria Pedemonte-Parramón, Luisa Pedro-Botet, Óscar Mascaró and Esteban Reynaga
Microorganisms 2025, 13(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13010053 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 872
Abstract
Staphylococcus caprae is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus commonly associated with animals which can also be a zoonotic human pathogen. To date, there is little data available on S. caprae infections. The aim of this study was to characterize the S. caprae infections identified in [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus caprae is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus commonly associated with animals which can also be a zoonotic human pathogen. To date, there is little data available on S. caprae infections. The aim of this study was to characterize the S. caprae infections identified in two hospitals located, respectively, in rural and urban areas of Catalonia, Spain. In this retrospective, observational study, data were compiled from clinical records of all S. caprae infections diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2023. Over the study period, altogether 31 cases of S. caprae infection were identified, with most (23) of these cases occurring in the second half of the period (2017–2023). The mean age of patients was 58.87 ± 20.65 years, and 58.1% were males. Eight patients had had livestock exposure. The most frequent manifestation of infection was skin and soft subcutaneous tissue infections (10; 32.3%), osteomyelitis (6; 19.4%), and joint prosthetic infections (5; 16.1%). All the strains were susceptible to oxacillin, fluoroquinolones, rifampicin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Twenty-two (71%) of the patients required surgical treatment. Only one patient (3.2%) died, because of aortic prosthetic valve infective endocarditis. Skin and soft tissue infections were the most frequently identified manifestations of S. caprae infection. Over 75% of the cases occurred in the last six years, and 25.8% involved significant exposure to livestock. Ongoing surveillance is necessary to better understand the prevalence and transmission dynamics of this emerging zoonotic pathogen. Full article
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2024

Jump to: 2025

14 pages, 3946 KiB  
Systematic Review
White Coats at a Crossroads: Hygiene, Infection Risk, and Patient Trust in Healthcare Attire—An Umbrella Review with Quantitative Synthesis and Stress, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis
by Christos Tsagkaris, Matthias Rueger, Samuel B. Tschudi and Thomas Dreher
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2659; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122659 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1735
Abstract
White coats, traditionally symbols of physicians’ hygiene and professionalism, are now scrutinized for potential infection risks during patient interactions. This review investigates whether wearing white coats is linked to microbial contamination, infection transmission, and patient expectations. An umbrella review of peer-reviewed studies and [...] Read more.
White coats, traditionally symbols of physicians’ hygiene and professionalism, are now scrutinized for potential infection risks during patient interactions. This review investigates whether wearing white coats is linked to microbial contamination, infection transmission, and patient expectations. An umbrella review of peer-reviewed studies and guidelines was conducted, with searches in PubMed/Medline and Scopus using terms related to medical attire, infection control, patient perceptions, and discrimination. Ten records were included, and a bibliometric analysis was performed with VOS Viewer. Bias appraisal was conducted using the JBI Bias Assessment Toolset, and a SWOT analysis was developed to support evidence-based decision-making. Findings indicate that white coats may harbor pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative rods, and MRSA. To mitigate contamination risks, it is recommended that physicians roll up coat sleeves during examinations and that the coats receive daily laundering in healthcare settings. However, evidence supporting a coatless policy is yet to be published. Patients tend to expect physicians to wear identifiable attire, like white coats or scrubs for surgeons. Recent research in this field shifts the focus from infection control to the impact of attire on patient trust and physician–patient relationships. Full article
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9 pages, 566 KiB  
Article
Cryptosporidium Infection During Pregnancy and Effects on Pregnancy Outcomes in Israel
by Shirley Shapiro Ben David, Olga Snitser, Miriam Parizade, Noam Orvieto, Yaacov Segal and Limor Adler
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2572; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122572 - 13 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1019
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that typically causes self-limited gastroenteritis. Little is known about the course of infection and its impact during pregnancy. This retrospective cohort study conducted in Israel assessed the effects of Cryptosporidium infection on pregnancy and obstetrical outcomes. The study population [...] Read more.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that typically causes self-limited gastroenteritis. Little is known about the course of infection and its impact during pregnancy. This retrospective cohort study conducted in Israel assessed the effects of Cryptosporidium infection on pregnancy and obstetrical outcomes. The study population included pregnant women with a positive PCR stool test for Cryptosporidium and a control group of pregnant women with negative tests, matched at a 3:1 ratio based on age, gestational week, and sector. Their medical records were retrieved for symptoms, treatments, pregnancy termination, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, and head circumference. Fisher’s exact or chi-squared tests were used to determine significance. Between January 2020 and December 2023, 2512 pregnant women underwent PCR stool testing. Of these, 93 were positive for Cryptosporidium, mostly in 2022. Their median age was 31 (range: 23–42 years), and 77.4% were from medium–high socioeconomic status. The most common symptom was diarrhea (90/93, 96.7%). The infection was self-limiting in all cases, with none requiring specific treatment. No significant differences were found in miscarriage rate, delivery week, birth weight, Apgar score, or head circumference compared to the controls. This study illuminates the clinical course of Cryptosporidium infection in pregnant women, emphasizing a generally favorable outcome without the necessity for therapeutic intervention. Full article
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