Zoonotic Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases: The One Health Perspective

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 671

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Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Interests: animal and human bartonellosis; infectious diseases; immunology; nephrology; vector-transmitted; intracellular pathogens; neuropsychiatric illness and rheumatological presentations
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of One Health dates back well over 100 years, when human and veterinary medical students shared many of the same basic science lectures and laboratory experiences. Due to the complexity and interrelatedness of the world today, there has been a resurgence that embraces a One Health approach for the enhanced understanding of many old and newly discovered vector-borne diseases. One Health encompasses a collaborative, intellectual, and functional approach to problem-solving that combines the expertise of animal, human, and environmental health professionals. In the context of infectious disease epidemiology, a One Health approach was of critical importance throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. During and after the pandemic, the many interfaces between animals, humans, and their respective interacting environments became rigorous areas of epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory studies. The environmental spillover of the virus from humans to animals, such as cats, deer, ferrets, and rats, was one of the unanticipated outcomes of this “human” pandemic. Our collective understanding of zoonotic vector-borne infections continues to benefit from a One Health problem-solving approach. In addition to causing similar clinical presentations, disease manifestations, and comparative pathological abnormalities in animal and human patients, the diagnosis, treatment, and vector-borne pathogen prevention strategies all benefit from collaboration among animal, human, and environmental health professionals. 

This Special Issue of Pathogens welcomes original research articles, novel case studies, reviews, and research perspectives that incorporate or highlight the utility of a One Health approach for the characterization of zoonotic vector-borne diseases. As infectious disease infrastructures that support a One Health approach throughout the world remain limited or nonexistent, manuscripts that address regional, national, or international initiatives are particularly encouraged.

We very much look forward to your contribution 

Prof. Edward B. Breitschwerdt
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • One Health
  • zoonotic
  • vector-borne
  • diagnosis
  • treatment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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9 pages, 3797 KiB  
Brief Report
Role of Molecular Diagnosis in Imported Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Its Public Health Significance in India
by Rohit Sharma, Deepti Singh, S. Muthukumaravel, S. L. Hoti, Laxmisha Chandrashekar and Manju Rahi
Pathogens 2025, 14(5), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050436 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2025
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health concern that affects many countries. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania spp. and is transmitted through the sandflies from the genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia. The clinical manifestations of CL can vary, [...] Read more.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a significant public health concern that affects many countries. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania spp. and is transmitted through the sandflies from the genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia. The clinical manifestations of CL can vary, often leading to challenges in accurate diagnosis and treatment. In 2022, a 51-year-old male patient presented to a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India, with progressively worsening facial lesions and granulomatous plaques. The patient had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where he likely contracted the infection. Before he visited the tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, the patient had been misdiagnosed and treated for conditions such as Erysipelas and Acute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (ACLE), highlighting the diagnostic challenges associated with CL. Skin scrapings from the patient were subjected to real-time PCR, confirming Leishmania spp.’s presence. Cytological examinations revealed the amastigote-like structures within macrophages, thereby establishing the identity of the parasite. For precise species-level identification, PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Sanger sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS-1) region were performed. Molecular techniques confirmed the infection as being caused by Leishmania tropica. Following the accurate diagnosis, the patient was successfully treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B, a treatment known for its efficacy against Leishmania infections. This case underscores the critical importance of considering cutaneous leishmaniasis in the differential diagnosis of travelers returning from endemic areas who present with dermatological manifestations. The initial misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment highlight the need for heightened clinical awareness and the utilization of advanced diagnostic tools for accurate identification. Effective and timely treatment, as demonstrated in this case, is essential for the management and control of the disease. This report emphasizes the necessity of vigilance among healthcare providers to recognize and appropriately address imported cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases: The One Health Perspective)
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