As we learn to live with SARS-CoV-2, research on other microorganisms has regained momentum. Many factors can contribute to the emergence or re-emergence of microorganisms that can be a potential challenge for global health. Vaccines and therapeutic antimicrobials represent the most effective way of controlling infections and the most important strategy for preventing possible pandemic events. However, as we learned from COVID-19 pandemic, they may be not available at the first stage of the emergence of the new disease. Therefore, in addition to vaccines, it is of extreme importance to develop new and hopefully interchangeable approaches to counteract bacterial and viral infections of clinical relevance.
As humanity expands to fill every available niche on the planet, the number of microorganisms, viruses and bacteria that come into contact and infect humans is increasing. Some of these can represent a substantial threat for humans, and the current pandemic is motivation for the microbiological scientific community to work together to prevent future pandemics.
This special issue focuses on novel approaches to combating bacterial and viral pathogens of humans. Whether opportunistic pathogens of medical concern, or known problems with new angles such as increasing antibiotic resistance in regular opportunistic commensals, we will bring together all aspects of medical microbiology into a broad issue of general interest to the community.
Considering this broad topic, we welcome original research articles and reviews that fall within the following scope:
1. Prevention of bacterial and viral disease through vaccination
2. New diagnostics, incremental improvements on existing diagnostics, or translational applications for existing tools in diagnostics. This subsection can include classification and identification of subgroups of pathogens of medical importance.
3. Novel platforms and technologies for the development and production of vaccines
4. Antivirals and antimicrobials, with an aim to encouraging investment
5. Therapeutic antibodies against bacterial or viral disease
As we learn to live with SARS-CoV-2, research on other microorganisms has regained momentum. Many factors can contribute to the emergence or re-emergence of microorganisms that can be a potential challenge for global health. Vaccines and therapeutic antimicrobials represent the most effective way of controlling infections and the most important strategy for preventing possible pandemic events. However, as we learned from COVID-19 pandemic, they may be not available at the first stage of the emergence of the new disease. Therefore, in addition to vaccines, it is of extreme importance to develop new and hopefully interchangeable approaches to counteract bacterial and viral infections of clinical relevance.
As humanity expands to fill every available niche on the planet, the number of microorganisms, viruses and bacteria that come into contact and infect humans is increasing. Some of these can represent a substantial threat for humans, and the current pandemic is motivation for the microbiological scientific community to work together to prevent future pandemics.
This special issue focuses on novel approaches to combating bacterial and viral pathogens of humans. Whether opportunistic pathogens of medical concern, or known problems with new angles such as increasing antibiotic resistance in regular opportunistic commensals, we will bring together all aspects of medical microbiology into a broad issue of general interest to the community.
Considering this broad topic, we welcome original research articles and reviews that fall within the following scope:
1. Prevention of bacterial and viral disease through vaccination
2. New diagnostics, incremental improvements on existing diagnostics, or translational applications for existing tools in diagnostics. This subsection can include classification and identification of subgroups of pathogens of medical importance.
3. Novel platforms and technologies for the development and production of vaccines
4. Antivirals and antimicrobials, with an aim to encouraging investment
5. Therapeutic antibodies against bacterial or viral disease