Multidrug Resistance Across Pathogens: Fungi, Bacteria, Parasites, and Viruses

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) across diverse pathogen types represents one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine and public health. The challenge of multidrug resistance transcends traditional pathogen boundaries, requiring coordinated responses that recognize both the unique and shared mechanisms across fungi, bacteria, parasites, and viruses. AMR affects many of the gains of modern medicine, making infections harder to treat and making other medical procedures and treatments much riskier. Success in combating this global threat demands unprecedented collaboration between clinicians, researchers, public health officials, and policymakers.

This Topic examines the multifaceted nature of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which affects countries in all regions and at all income levels, with its drivers and consequences being exacerbated by poverty and inequality. The scope encompasses bacterial superbugs, emerging fungal threats, parasitic drug resistance, and viral escape mechanisms, highlighting both shared resistance mechanisms and pathogen-specific challenges. The articles in this topics will provide critical insights into current resistance patterns, emerging mechanisms, and innovative solutions that collectively chart a path forward in our ongoing battle against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Dr. Célia F. Rodrigues
Dr. Andreia S. Azevedo
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Antibiotics antibiotics	4.6	8.7	2012	15 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Bacteria bacteria	-	2.8	2022	25.4 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Microbiology Research microbiolres	2.2	2.8	2010	20.7 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.2	7.7	2013	15.2 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Pathogens pathogens	3.3	6.8	2012	13.5 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Parasitologia parasitologia	1.5	2.4	2021	18.5 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Antibiotics Bacteria Microbiology Research Microorganisms Pathogens Parasitologia

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12 pages, 1373 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Genomic Surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum Drug Resistance Markers Between October 2021 and June 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda

by Sandra Noukimi Fankem, Jean-Bosco Mbonimpa, Edgar Mutebwa Kalimba, Mariama Telly Diallo, Mary Efeti Teke and Jacob Souopgui

Pathogens 2025, 14(11), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14111092 - 27 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the cornerstone of malaria treatment in Rwanda, but the emergence of drug resistance threatens their efficacy. This study conducted genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in Kigali between October 2021 and June 2023 to assess resistance markers. [...] Read more.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the cornerstone of malaria treatment in Rwanda, but the emergence of drug resistance threatens their efficacy. This study conducted genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in Kigali between October 2021 and June 2023 to assess resistance markers. Using Oxford Nanopore Technology and Sanger sequencing methods, we analyzed 250 clinical isolates focusing on mutations in the pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps, and Pfkelch13 genes. Resistance-associated mutations were highly prevalent: pfcrt 76T (26%) and pfmdr1 184F (72.8%) were common, indicating continued lumefantrine pressure. All isolates carried mutations in pfdhfr and pfdhps, with the IRNI-SAEAA and IRNI-SAEGA haplotypes found in 45.6% and 24.8% of samples, respectively, suggesting sustained antifolate resistance. Pfkelch13 mutations were present in 50.4% of isolates, including validated R561H (25.6%), A675V and candidate P441L mutations. Novel haplotypes, including K189T + R561H (24.8%), were identified for the first time in Rwanda. The BTB/POZ domain mutation H384R was observed in 6.4% of isolates, raising questions about its potential functional role. These findings highlight complex and evolving resistance patterns and emphasize the urgent need for continued molecular surveillance and functional validation to inform malaria control strategies in Rwanda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multidrug Resistance Across Pathogens: Fungi, Bacteria, Parasites, and Viruses)

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14 pages, 279 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Epidemiology of Different Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Genes Among Patients Suffering from Surgical Site Infections in Lebanon

by Inass Kawtharani, Ghassan Ghssein, Ola Srour, Abdul Amir Chaaban and Pascale Salameh

Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16(10), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres16100216 - 1 Oct 2025

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Abstract

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, particularly in surgical site infections (SSIs), where multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens complicate treatment. Objective: This study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance genes and assess their prevalence in bacterial species causing SSIs in Lebanon. Materials [...] Read more.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, particularly in surgical site infections (SSIs), where multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens complicate treatment. Objective: This study aimed to identify antimicrobial resistance genes and assess their prevalence in bacterial species causing SSIs in Lebanon. Materials and Methods: The present research is a multicenter and prospective study that included patients who developed SSIs after surgery in seven hospitals, within the period of January 2024–September 2024. Bacterial isolates from wound swabs or tissue samples were identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by disk diffusion, and resistance genes were detected by PCR. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Among 6933 surgical patients, 63 developed SSIs (0.91%; 95% CI [0.70–1.15]). Gram-negative bacteria predominated (73%), mainly Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while Gram-positive isolates accounted for 27%, mostly Staphylococcus aureus. MDR was observed in 71% of Gram-positive and 61% of Gram-negative isolates. The most frequent genes were mecA in S. aureus (100%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (83.3%); bla_CTX-M in E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae (100%); and bla_NDM in E. cloacae (100%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (60%). bla_KPC was less common, and no isolates carried Imipenemase (IMP), Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), and Oxacillinase-48-like β-lactamase (OXA-48). Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in agents causing SSIs in Lebanese hospitals. Resistance genes, particularly mecA, bla_CTX-M, and blaNDM, were highly prevalent in SSI pathogens, underscoring the urgent need for surveillance and judicious antibiotic use in Lebanese hospitals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Multidrug Resistance Across Pathogens: Fungi, Bacteria, Parasites, and Viruses)

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