Epidemiology, Immunology, and Therapeutic Vaccines of Enteric Pathogens

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccination Against Cancer and Chronic Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 2339

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: virology; foodborne viruses; environmental virology; foodborne pathogens; molecular-based detection methods; epidemiology
UICentre for Drug Discovery, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Interests: cancer chemoprevention; tumor immunology; innate immunology of diabetic wounds; immunotoxicity; adjuvants
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Therapeutic vaccines for enteric pathogens are designed to target existing infections or diseases caused by these pathogens by boosting the host's immune response to eliminate the infection. Unlike prophylactic vaccines, which aim to prevent disease, therapeutic vaccines target existing antigens and enhance epitope-specific T cells to eliminate infection or B cells to produce neutralizing antibodies. Enteric infections, which predominantly impact the gastrointestinal system, continue to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly in regions with limited access to clean water and adequate healthcare. Despite improvements in hygiene and treatment, infections caused by enteric bacteria, viruses, and parasites remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality, especially among young children and immunocompromised individuals.

This Special Issue will present current research regarding the epidemiology, immunology, and therapeutic vaccination of enteric pathogens. We welcome contributions that examine the patterns and determinants of enteric disease transmission, as well as how vaccination strategies influence the circulation of strains and the prevalence of these pathogens in different populations.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Mucosal immunity and host–pathogen interactions;
  • Vaccine-induced immunity and correlates of protection;
  • Impact of vaccines on pathogen evolution and strain replacement;
  • Vaccine delivery systems and novel immunization strategies;
  • Aspects of epidemiology and surveillance of enteric infections.

We invite researchers to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies that advance our understanding of how immunological insights and vaccination could contribute to the prevention and control of enteric diseases.

Dr. Marina Valeria Mozgovoj
Dr. Ruchi Roy
Guest Editors

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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. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • enteric infectious diseases
  • vaccine development
  • intestinal immune response
  • mucosal immunology
  • therapeutic immunization strategies
  • epidemiology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 2531 KB  
Article
Norovirus in Pediatric Gastroenteritis: A Study in Argentine Hospitals Before and After the Introduction of Universal Rotavirus Vaccination
by Karina A. Gomes, Karina A. Rivero, Christian Barrios Mathieur, Juan I. Degiuseppe, Paulo R. Cortes, Patricia A. Gonzalez, Abel Zurschmitten, María P. Castro, Viviana Parreño, Marina V. Mozgovoj and Juan A. Stupka
Vaccines 2025, 13(11), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13111080 - 22 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1883
Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children worldwide. Following the introduction of universal rotavirus (RVA) vaccination in Argentina in 2015, the role of NoV in pediatric AGE warrants evaluation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical [...] Read more.
Norovirus (NoV) is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children worldwide. Following the introduction of universal rotavirus (RVA) vaccination in Argentina in 2015, the role of NoV in pediatric AGE warrants evaluation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and molecular diversity of NoV in children under five years of age, comparing the periods before and after RVA vaccine implementation. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted in two pediatric hospitals in Argentina. Stool samples were obtained from both outpatient and hospitalized children presenting with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) during two distinct one-year periods: 285 samples from the pre-vaccination period (2011–2012) and 212 samples from the post-vaccination period (2019–2020). NoV, RVA and other viral enteropathogens were detected by RT-qPCR or immunoassay. Positive NoV samples were genotyped by Sanger sequencing of the ORF1/ORF2 junction. Results: NoV was detected in 30.1% (86/285) and 23.5% (50/212) of cases in the pre- and post-vaccination periods, respectively. Children under two years of age and inpatients had significantly higher NoV detection in both periods. NoV mono-infections were more frequent in post-vaccination period (72% vs. 50%). NoV GII predominated in both periods, with increased genotype diversity observed post-vaccination, including GII.3[P12], GII.4 Sydney[P16], GII.6[P7], and GII.2[P16]. Conclusions: NoV remains a major cause of pediatric AGE in Argentina, particularly in children under two years old. Although NoV prevalence did not increase after RVA vaccine introduction, its clinical relevance persists. Continued molecular surveillance is essential to monitor genotype dynamics and implement prevention strategies. Full article
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