Virulence Mechanisms Used by Pathogens Related to Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 1380

Special Issue Editors


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Comprehensive Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemical Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa. Av. de las Américas y Josefa Ortiz (Cd. Universitaria) Culiacan, Sinaloa 80030, Mexico
Interests: iron regulation; virulence; protozoan

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1. Unit for Research, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan 80246, Mexico
2. Department of Research, Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa, Secretary of Health, Culiacan 80246, Mexico
Interests: proteins and peptides with antimicrobial and antitumor properties; cell biology; microbiology; infectious diseases; vaccines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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1. School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019 Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico
2. The Women's Hospital, Secretariat of Health, 80020 Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico
Interests: public health; enteropathogens; virulence genes; epidemiology; food-borne pathogens
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogenic microorganisms are involved in human mortality and morbidity, causing a significant health and economic burden worldwide. In addition, pathogens are implicated in animal health and environmental damage, affecting global food production and marketing, further complicating the global picture. Few drug treatments have been effective due to increasing drug resistance and the mechanisms many pathogens have evolved to evade the immune system. On the other hand, microbes that affect plants are a major problem worldwide, as pathogens are becoming resistant to various pesticides and increasingly difficult to control. In addition, more and more pathogens contaminate river water used for recreation, irrigation of crops, or domestic consumption. We need to understand how pathogens interfere with this to promote the health of people, animals, and the planet.

Mechanisms of pathogenicity include various virulence factors that microbes use to survive in the environment and cause damage. Multiple mechanisms and environmental factors often regulate these virulence factors to ensure successful infection. In this Special Issue, we review several pathogenic microbes of global importance, focusing on the virulence mechanisms used to cause damage to human, animal, and environmental health.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include the mechanisms of pathogenicity of microbes affecting human, animal, and environmental health.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Claudia León-Sicairos
Prof. Dr. Nidia M. León-Sicairos
Prof. Dr. Adrian Canizalez-Roman
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • virulence mechanisms
  • pathogens
  • global health
  • pathogenicity
  • virulence factors

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1038 KiB  
Article
A Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response to Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Crohn’s Disease
by Alishba Fayyaz, Luigi Cugia, Marta Noli, Somaye Jasemi, Elena Rita Simula and Leonardo A. Sechi
Pathogens 2025, 14(4), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14040361 - 7 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial polygenic inflammatory bowel disease linked to aberrant immune response. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) has been associated with CD; however, detecting MAP in CD tissues remains highly challenging. Recently, Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) differential gene expression has been reported [...] Read more.
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial polygenic inflammatory bowel disease linked to aberrant immune response. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) has been associated with CD; however, detecting MAP in CD tissues remains highly challenging. Recently, Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) differential gene expression has been reported in CD, but little is known about the involvement of MAP and HERVs in CD pathology. This study aimed to characterize the humoral response against HERV-K, HERV-W, and MAP antigens using an indirect ELISA in plasma samples from CD patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). We observed a significant antibody response against HERV-K and HERV-W epitopes in CD patients in comparison to MAP epitopes, as well as a higher overall antibody response in patients compared to HCs. This study is the first to report the presence of humoral immune response against HERVs antigens in CD. Considering the pro-inflammatory nature of CD, HERVs may contribute to the development or progression of disease in genetically predisposed individuals. However, further research is needed to better understand the complex role of HERVs in CD. Full article
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18 pages, 13988 KiB  
Article
Comparative Patho-Genomics of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Reveal Potential Host-Specific Virulence Factors
by Matthew R. Moreau, Lekshmi K. Edison, Yury V. Ivanov, Dona Saumya S. Wijetunge, Eranda Mangala K. Kurundu Hewage, Jessica E. Linder and Subhashinie Kariyawasam
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020128 - 1 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most common causes of bacterial foodborne infections worldwide. It has an extensive host range, including birds and humans, making it one of the most adaptable Salmonella serovars. This study aims to define [...] Read more.
Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most common causes of bacterial foodborne infections worldwide. It has an extensive host range, including birds and humans, making it one of the most adaptable Salmonella serovars. This study aims to define the virulence gene profile of S. Enteritidis and identify genes critical to its host specificity. Currently, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms that allow S. Enteritidis to continue as an important foodborne pathogen. To better understand the genes that may play a role in the host-specific virulence and/or fitness of S. Enteritidis, we first compiled a virulence gene profile-based genome analysis of sequenced S. Enteritidis strains isolated from shell eggs in our laboratory. This analysis was subsequently used to compare the representative genomes of Salmonella serovars with varying host ranges and S. Enteritidis genomes. The study involved a comprehensive and direct examination of the conservation of virulence and/or fitness factors, especially in a host-specific manner—an area that has not been previously explored. Key findings include the identification of 10 virulence-associated clusters of orthologous genes (COGs) specific to poultry-colonizing serovars and 12 virulence-associated COGs unique to human-colonizing serovars. Virulence/fitness-associated gene analysis identified more than 600 genes. The genome sequences of the two S. Enteritidis isolates were compared to those of the other serovars. Genome analysis revealed a core of 2817 COGs that were common to all the Salmonella serovars examined. Comparative genome analysis revealed that 10 virulence-associated COGs were specific to poultry-colonizing serovars, whereas 12 virulence-associated COGs were present in all human-colonizing serovars. Phylogenetic analyses further highlight the evolution of host specificity in S. Enteritidis. This study offers the first comprehensive analysis of genes that may be unique to and possibly essential for the colonization and/or pathogenesis of S. Enteritidis in various and specific hosts. Full article
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