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Pathogens
Special Issues
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic
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Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 November 2025 | Viewed by 2918

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vasileios Petrakis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: viral infections; HIV/AIDS; SARS-CoV-2; antimicrobial resistance; antibiotics; antiviral agents
Dr. Maria Panopoulou

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: medical microbiology; antimicrobial resistance; biofilms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread rapidly and the pressure in healthcare systems led to the limited role of infectious diseases control groups and antibiotic stewardship programs, increased rates of irrational use of antibiotic agents, and an increased incidence of multidrug-resistance (MDR) infections. The rise in MDR infections threatens public heath, leading to high rates of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as an increasing resistance to antibiotics, reducing the ability to treat common and serious infectious diseases. Empowering infectious disease surveillance programs and committees is vital to reduce the irrational use of antibiotics and the impact of infections by multidrug-resistant microorganisms.

I would like to invite colleagues investigating the mechanisms of AMR, the prevalence and risk factors of MDR infections, and the role of antibiotic stewardship programs to submit their manuscripts to this Special Issue in the form of original research and reviews.

Dr. Vasileios Petrakis
Dr. Maria Panopoulou
Guest Editors

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. Pathogens 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 2200 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

  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • bloodstream infections
  • multidrug-resistant bacteria
  • infection prevention and control group
  • antibiotic stewardship

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 9193 KiB  
Article
Antibiotic-Loaded Bioglass 45S5 for the Treatment and Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Novel Strategy Against Antimicrobial Resistance
by Humera Sarwar, Richard A. Martin, Heather M. Coleman, Aaron Courtenay and Deborah Lowry
Pathogens 2025, 14(8), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080760 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 429
Abstract
This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded [...] Read more.
This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 formulations, assessing parameters such as drug loading efficiency, release kinetics, antimicrobial efficacy, and dissolution behaviour. Key findings indicate that the F2l-BG45S5-T-T-1.5 and F2l-BG45S5-T-V-1.5 formulations demonstrated controlled antibiotic release for up to seven days, with size distributions of D(10): 7.11 ± 0.806 µm, 4.96 ± 0.007 µm; D(50): 25.34 ± 1.730 µm, 25.20.7 ± 0.425 µm; and D(90): 53.7 ± 7.95 µm, 56.10 ± 0.579 µm, respectively. These formulations facilitated hydroxyapatite formation on their surfaces, indicative of osteogenic potential. The antimicrobial assessments revealed zones of inhibition against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, ATCC-6538) measuring 20.3 ± 1.44 mm and 24.6 ± 1.32 mm, while for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC-43300), the inhibition zones were 21.6 ± 1.89 mm and 22 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. Time-kill assay results showed complete bacterial eradication within eight hours. Additionally, biocompatibility testing via MTT assay confirmed cell viability of >75%. In conclusion, these findings highlight the promise of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 as a multifunctional biomaterial capable of both combating bone infections and supporting bone regeneration. These promising results suggest that in vivo studies should be undertaken to expedite these materials into clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic)
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Review

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19 pages, 323 KiB  
Review
Group A Streptococcus Infections in Children: Epidemiological Insights Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Eleni Karapati, Andreas G. Tsantes, Zoi Iliodromiti, Theodora Boutsikou, Styliani Paliatsiou, Aglaia Domouchtsidou, Petros Ioannou, Vasileios Petrakis, Nicoletta Iacovidou and Rozeta Sokou
Pathogens 2024, 13(11), 1007; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13111007 - 15 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1983
Abstract
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of both mild and invasive infections in humans with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The transmission of disease usually occurs via droplets, so the implementation of infection mitigation strategies (IMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic altered [...] Read more.
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of both mild and invasive infections in humans with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The transmission of disease usually occurs via droplets, so the implementation of infection mitigation strategies (IMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic altered the incidence of GAS infection. This review aims to provide an overview of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of GAS infection in children (invasive or non-invasive). A surge in the incidence of invasive GAS infection was noted in December 2022 after the reversal of IMS. A global uprise in GAS infection (invasive and non-invasive) was noted, especially concerning the pediatric population. Children younger than 5 years old were mostly affected, with complicated pneumonia being the leading clinical manifestation, causing many deaths worldwide. Emm1, specifically M1UK, was recognized as the dominant lineage in Europe and correlated with invasive disease. Healthcare professionals need to be alert about the severity of GAS-related infections, leading to early identification and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic)
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