Advances in Respiratory Viruses Research: From Basic Studies to Public Health

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably reshaped the landscape of respiratory virus research and public health practice. The virus SARS-CoV-2 continues to co-circulate with an array of other respiratory pathogens, including influenza, RSV, endemic human coronaviruses, and others, presenting ongoing challenges for diagnosis, clinical management, and epidemic control. This Special Issue encourages the publication of work on integrative strategies for dealing with the challenges of co-circulating respiratory viruses, seeking to compile cutting-edge research that moves beyond a singular pathogen focus.

We invite contributions that explore the evolving epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 as well as other viral co-infections affecting the respiratory system, emphasizing the critical role of differential diagnosis, and investigating the long-term health effects of co-infections. Submissions on novel treatments and vaccine development are highly encouraged, with a particular interest in studies comparing next-generation, broadly protective, with vaccines developed using classical platforms. We also encourage works that emphasize the importance of integrating basic and translational research—for instance, analyzing the rates of genomic variation in co-circulating viruses over time, proteomic studies on the interactions between viral proteins and human receptors, and harmonization of epidemiological and mortality data with results from swab samples or wastewater surveillance in sentinel programs.

The relationship between viruses and the host also encompasses genetic susceptibility, the immune response, and its influence on disease progression. Specific host genetic variants have been linked to increased susceptibility to viruses. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes (TLR4, for example) have been associated with innate host defense, cytokine responses, and immune system function, highlighting the complex genetic landscape that guides individual responses to infection. Other host factors, such as the airway microbiome, may influence immune responses to viral infections. Respiratory tract infections can alter the composition of the microbiome, which in turn may influence host vulnerability to subsequent viral infections. Manuscripts evaluating these aspects are also welcome.

We highlight the interest on integrated strategies that are crucial for the early outbreaks detection and for monitoring the dynamics of variants across multiple respiratory viruses. This Special Issue aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of emerging respiratory virus threats, promoting interdisciplinary approaches that have the ability to enhance our preparedness for future seasonal respiratory epidemics and the challenges of diagnosis and treatment of viral co-infections in the lungs and potential collateral side effects in other organs.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in COVID.

Dr. Anna Puigdellívol-Sánchez
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Viruses 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 2600 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.