Current Data, New Developments, and Perspectives for the Prophylaxis and Treatment of Zoonoses

This topic deals with human zoonoses, which are infections acquired by humans from an animal reservoir usually vertebrate, directly through contact with these animals or indirectly via water, food, the environment, or arthropod vectors. Zoonotic agents are often intracellularly multiplying pathogens and include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Zoonoses represent approximately 60% of human infectious diseases and are a major public health problem due to their high overall frequency, and their related morbidity and mortality. They also have a major impact on animal health and the global economy. The animal reservoirs of zoonotic agents as well as the sources and modes of their transmission to humans greatly vary. Human-to-human transmission occurs or not depending on the pathogens. These specificities influence the level of selection pressure for resistance to anti-infectives in the zoonotic microorganisms and the prevention and treatment of zoonoses.

This topic aims to highlight current knowledge, new developments, and perspectives concerning

1. Susceptibility and resistance of zoonotic agents to anti-infectives

2. Existing therapeutic strategies and those in development (including anti-infectious and anti-virulence agents, and host-directed therapy)

3. Vaccine and non-vaccine prophylaxis of zoonoses, including actions on the animal reservoir and on the modes and routes of transmission of zoonotic agents to humans.

Original articles and reviews related to any of the above themes are welcome.