Proteomic Approaches in Different Animal Pathogens

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2026 | Viewed by 650

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Interests: biomarkers; electrophoresis; serum protein; proteomic assay; inflammation; wildlife and domestic species

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Immunochemistry, Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Interests: immunology; oxidative stress; host–pathogen interaction

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Guest Editor
Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
Interests: experimental toxicology and reproductive toxicology; cellular and mo-lecular mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity; epididymal function and sperm maturation under toxicant exposure; metabolic alterations in-duced by environmental contaminants; epididymal function and sperm maturation under toxicant exposure
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Understanding the complex interactions between animal pathogens and their hosts is essential for advancing diagnostics, treatment, and disease prevention strategies in both veterinary and comparative biomedical sciences. Proteomics—the large-scale study of proteins, including their structures, functions, and dynamics—has emerged as a powerful tool with which to unravel these interactions at a molecular level. In recent years, proteomic technologies have significantly contributed to identifying virulence factors, host immune responses, and potential biomarkers of infection across a wide range of animal species and pathogen types, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

This Special Issue aims to bring together original research articles, reviews, and short communications that showcase cutting-edge proteomic applications in the study of animal pathogens. Contributions that employ mass spectrometry-based proteomics, quantitative or comparative proteomics, phosphoproteomics, interactomics, or integrative multiomics approaches are especially welcome. Studies focusing on host–pathogen interaction, pathogen proteome characterization, vaccine target identification, antimicrobial resistance, and biomarker discovery for diagnostic or prognostic purposes will be particularly relevant.

We also encourage submissions exploring methodological advancements, data analysis tools, or case studies demonstrating how proteomic data can translate into practical outcomes in animal health and disease management. This Special Issue seeks to highlight both fundamental and translational aspects of proteomics in veterinary microbiology, pathology, parasitology, and infectious disease research.

We invite contributions from researchers working with domestic animals, wildlife, aquatic species, and laboratory models, helping to expand the understanding of animal pathogenesis and One Health implications through proteomic insights.

Dr. Leandro Abreu Da Fonseca
Dr. Leandro Licursi de Oliveira
Dr. Mariana Machado Neves
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • animal pathogens
  • proteomics
  • host–pathogen interaction
  • mass spectrometry
  • biomarkers
  • veterinary diagnostics
  • pathogen virulence factors
  • one health
  • multiomics
  • antimicrobial resistance

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 6927 KB  
Article
Serum Proteomics Reveals Systemic Responses in Didelphis aurita Naturally Infected with Hepatozoon sp.
by Andrés Mauricio Ortega Orozco, Camilo Jose Ramirez-Lopez, Lucas Drumond Bento, Pollyanna Cordeiro Souto, Fabrícia Modolo Girardi, Veronica Rodrigues Castro, Edvaldo Barros, Joao Vitor Gonçalves de Oliveira, Renner Philipe Rodrigues Carvalho, Artur Kanadani Campos and Leandro Abreu da Fonseca
Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14101042 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 439
Abstract
Didelphis aurita is a widely distributed neotropical marsupial frequently found in peri-urban environments and known to harbor various pathogens, including hemoparasites of the genus Hepatozoon. However, the systemic physiological responses of naturally infected individuals remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the [...] Read more.
Didelphis aurita is a widely distributed neotropical marsupial frequently found in peri-urban environments and known to harbor various pathogens, including hemoparasites of the genus Hepatozoon. However, the systemic physiological responses of naturally infected individuals remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the serum proteomic profile of Didelphis aurita naturally infected with Hepatozoon sp., providing insights into host–parasite interactions and potential biomarkers of infection. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), followed by functional annotation based on Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment. A total of 67 proteins were identified, 33 of which were exclusive to infected animals. The most abundant proteins included albumin, hemoglobin subunits, and venom metalloproteinase inhibitors (DM43 and DM64). Functional enrichment revealed significant involvement in complement and coagulation cascades, protease inhibition, antioxidant defense, and extracellular vesicle localization. Key proteins such as fibrinogen, plasminogen, antithrombin, SERPIN family members, vitronectin, and fibronectin suggest an integrated host response involving hemostasis, inflammation control, and tissue remodeling. This is the first report of the serum proteome of Didelphis aurita naturally infected with Hepatozoon sp. Despite the absence of protein validation, the findings provide novel insights into marsupial immunophysiology and offer a foundation for future biomarker research and ecoimmunological surveillance in synanthropic species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Proteomic Approaches in Different Animal Pathogens)
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