Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pathogenesis

Dear Colleagues,

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important, opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that causes a wide variety of hospital-acquired infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, and infections of surgical sites, medical implants, and various soft tissues [1]. The pathogen is well-known for its diverse armamentarium of virulence determinants, including biofilm formation, production of various toxins, and its characteristic resistance to antimicrobials [2–6].

P. aeruginosa is also a key example of a bacterial species reemerging as a clinical threat with the spread of antimicrobial resistance, as highly lethal, pandrug-resistant strains are beginning to be identified throughout the world [7]. To address these concerns, it is imperative that we gain new insight into the interactions between this pathogen and its hosts, and mechanisms of pathogenesis to guide the development of effective treatments [8,9].

Despite extensive study, new discoveries about P. aeruginosa pathogenesis, and its interactions with its hosts, are made regularly, highlighting how much remains to be discovered. In this Special Issue, we are requesting publications that shine new light on P. aeruginosa virulence determinants, interactions with its host, mechanisms of pathogenesis and immune avoidance or activation, or other aspects of the ability of this pathogen to cause disease, or new ways of preventing these. It is only by understanding these mechanisms and determinants that effective treatments can be discovered, an essential goal as the efficacy of conventional antimicrobials continues to wane.

We encourage the submission of Articles, Communications, or Reviews focused on mechanisms of pathogenesis or novel compounds intended to mitigate it. All submitted papers will undergo a standard independent peer-review process.

References [optional]:

1. Baron, S. (1996) Medical microbiology. Galveston, Tex.: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. xvii, 1273 p. p.
2. Wagner, V.E.; Frelinger, J.G.; Barth, R.K.; Iglewski, B.H. (2006) Quorum sensing: dynamic response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to external signals. Trends Microbiol 14: 55-58.
3. Hauser, A.R. (2009) The type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: infection by injection. Nat Rev Microbiol 7: 654-665.
4. Piddock, L.J. (2006) Multidrug-resistance efflux pumps - not just for resistance. Nat Rev Microbiol 4: 629-636.
5. Rada, B.; Leto, T.L. (2013) Pyocyanin effects on respiratory epithelium: relevance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections. Trends Microbiol 21: 73-81.
6. Deng, Q.; Barbieri, J.T. (2008) Molecular mechanisms of the cytotoxicity of ADP-ribosylating toxins. Annu Rev Microbiol 62: 271-288.
7. Wang, C.Y.; Jerng, J.S.; Chen, K.Y.; Lee, L.N.; Yu, C.J.; et al. (2006) Pandrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa among hospitalised patients: clinical features, risk-factors and outcomes. Clin Microbiol Infect 12: 63-68.
8. Martinez, O.F.; Cardoso, M.H.; Ribeiro, S.M.; Franco, O.L. (2019) Recent Advances in Anti-virulence Therapeutic Strategies With a Focus on Dismantling Bacterial Membrane Microdomains, Toxin Neutralization, Quorum-Sensing Interference and Biofilm Inhibition. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 9: 74.
9. Kirienko, N.V.; Rahme, L.; Cho, Y.-H. (2019) Beyond Antimicrobials: Non-traditional approaches to combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. in press

Dr. Natalia Kirienko
Dr. Carolyn Cannon
Guest Editors

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