Pathogens MDPI

🎉 We are delighted to announce that Pathogens (ISSN: 2076-0817) has received a heightened #CiteScore of 6.4! CiteScore offers transparent metrics that facilitate informed publishing strategies, library collection development, and the benchmarking of journal performance. It stands alongside SNIP and SJR as a key citation metric, providing an up-to-date view of a journal's impact. This accomplishment reflects the outstanding performance, support, and dedication of our editors, reviewers, authors, and readers. Pathogens' CiteScore rankings are as follows: 📌 Q2 (16 out of 61) in "General Immunology and Microbiology" 📌 Q2 (102 out of 344) in "Infectious Diseases" 📌 Q2 (53 out of 140) in "Microbiology (medical)" 📌 Q2 (90 out of 233) in "Immunology and Allergy" 📌 Q2 (191 out of 410) in "Molecular Biology" For more journal statistics, please visit: 📎 https://lnkd.in/giTgWZ2i Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the journal's success! 🤝

🎉 We are pleased to announce the winners of #Pathogens 2024 Young Investigator Awards are Dr. Angelo Roberto Raccagni and Dr. Hannah Harding 👉 Find out more at https://lnkd.in/gjdavAtq #YoungInvestigator🏆

📢 Challenges and Strategies for Developing Recombinant #Vaccines against #Leptospirosis: Role of Expression Platforms and Adjuvants in Achieving Protective Efficacy 👨🎓 by Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira et al. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gYdvMu-t In this review, the authors highlight the role of the expression/delivery system employed in studies based on the well-known LipL32 and leptospiral immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins, as well as the choice of adjuvants, as key factors to achieving the best vaccine performance in terms of protective efficacy against lethal infection and induction of sterile immunity.

#editorchoice 📢 Using #Serological Markers for the #Surveillance of #Plasmodium vivax #Malaria: A Scoping Review 👨🎓 by Lejla Kartal, Ivo Mueller, and Rhea Longley 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/ggQdqS3b The utilisation of serological surveillance methods for malaria has the potential to identify individuals exposed to Plasmodium vivax, including asymptomatic carriers. However, the application of serosurveillance varies globally, including variations in methodology and transmission context. No systematic review exists describing the advantages and disadvantages of utilising serosurveillance in various settings. Collation and comparison of these results is a necessary first step to standardise and validate the use of serology for the surveillance of P. vivax in specific transmission contexts. A scoping review was performed of P. vivax serosurveillance applications globally. Ninety-four studies were found that met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies were examined to determine the advantages and disadvantages of serosurveillance experienced in each study. If studies reported seroprevalence results, this information was also captured. Measurement of antibodies serves as a proxy by which individuals exposed to P. vivax may be indirectly identified, including those with asymptomatic infections, which may be missed by other technologies. Other thematic advantages identified included the ease and simplicity of serological assays compared to both microscopy and molecular diagnostics. Seroprevalence rates varied widely from 0–93%. Methodologies must be validated across various transmission contexts to ensure the applicability and comparability of results. Other thematic disadvantages identified included challenges with species cross-reactivity and determining changes in transmission patterns in both the short- and long-term. Serosurveillance requires further refinement to be fully realised as an actionable tool. Some work has begun in this area, but more is required.

#editorchoice 📢 Molecular Investigations of Two First #Brucella suis Biovar 2 Infections Cases in French #Dogs 👨🎓 by Guillaume GIRAULT et al. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gKYHFGYc Despite Brucella suis biovar 2’s (BSB2) active circulation in #wildlife, no canine infections have been reported. The present paper is the first to describe two cases of BSB2 infections in French dogs. These cases highlight the importance of adopting a #OneHealth approach to control the presence of #zoonotic bacteria in wild animals and avoid spillovers into domestic animals and, potentially, humans.

#editorchoice 📢 #Opisthorchis viverrini—Current Understanding of the Neglected #Hepatobiliary #Parasite 👨🎓 by Matthias Yi Quan Liau et al. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gU2zD3Tt Opisthorchiasis due to Opisthorchis viverrini infection continues to be a significant public healthcare concern in various subregions of Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The main mode of transmission is via consumption of raw or undercooked fish, which is deeply embedded in the culture and tradition of the people living near the Mekong River. After ingestion, the flukes migrate to the bile ducts, potentially causing many hepatobiliary complications, including cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, advanced periductal fibrosis and cholangiocarcinoma. Several mechanisms of opisthorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinogenesis have been proposed and elucidated in the past decade, providing insight and potential drug targets to prevent the development of the sinister complication. The gold standard for diagnosing opisthorchiasis is still via stool microscopy, but the advent of novel serological, antigen, and molecular tests shows promise as more convenient, alternative diagnostic methods. The mainstay of treatment of opisthorchiasis is praziquantel, while treatment of opisthorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinoma depends on its anatomic subtype and resectability. Thus far, the most successful fluke control programme is the Lawa model based in Thailand, which raised awareness, incorporated education, and frequent surveillance of intermediate hosts to reduce transmission of opisthorchiasis. Development of vaccines using tetraspanins shows promise and is currently ongoing.

📢 Comparative #Genomic Analysis of #Prophages in Human Vaginal Isolates of #Streptococcus agalactiae 👨🎓 by Caitlin Selassie Wiafe-Kwakye et al. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gyGcxAGF Prophages, viral genomes integrated into bacterial genomes, are known to enhance bacterial colonization, adaptation, and ecological fitness, providing a better chance for pathogenic bacteria to disseminate and cause infection. Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus or GBS) is a common bacterium found colonizing the genitourinary tract of humans. However, GBS-colonized pregnant women are at risk of passing the organism to the neonate, where it can cause severe infections. GBS typically encode one or more prophages in their genomes, yet their role in pathogen fitness and virulence has not yet been described. Sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the genomic content of GBS human isolates identified 42 complete prophages present in their genomes. Comparative genomic analyses of the prophage sequences revealed that the prophages could be classified into five distinct clusters based on their genomic content, indicating significant diversity in their genetic makeup. Prophage diversity was also identified across GBS capsule serotypes, sequence types (STs), and clonal clusters (CCs). Comprehensive genomic annotation revealed that all GBS strains encode paratox, a protein that prevents the uptake of DNA in Streptococcus, either on the chromosome, on the prophage, or both, and each prophage genome has at least one toxin-antitoxin system.

📢 We would like to welcome our new Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly from University of Minnesota Prof. Dr. Ly’s laboratory focuses on understanding virus–host interactions in the replication and pathogenesis of zoonotic viral pathogens (arenaviruses such as Lassa virus, coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, and influenza viruses) and developing novel preventative and treatment measures against them. The Ly laboratory also develops novel, safe, and effective viral vectors and vaccines against various human and animal pathogens. They have successfully used various animal models, including mice, guinea pigs, chickens, turkeys, swine, etc. to understand important issues of virus–host interactions and to evaluate the protective efficacy of some of the new antivirals and vaccines against communicable diseases. Prof. Dr. Hinh Ly is taking over the role of Editor-in-Chief from Prof. Dr. Lawrence S. Young, the founding Editor-in-Chief, whose passion for advancing pathogens science and visionary guidance have left an indelible mark on the journal. His exceptional stewardship of and leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Pathogens MDPI journal since 2012 are deeply appreciated. 👉 Click here to see his vision for the journal: https://lnkd.in/gQaSqFn9

MDPI is pleased to invite nominations for the prestigious "Tu Youyou Award," established in 2016 to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Professor Tu Youyou. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015, Professor Tu's groundbreaking discovery of artemisinin has revolutionized malaria treatment, saving millions of lives globally. 🌍 In honor of her remarkable contributions, this award seeks to recognize exceptional scholars who have made significant advancements in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. ✅The winner(s) will be awarded a total of 100,000 CHF prize money. ✅Scientists with outstanding achievements in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry are eligible for nomination. ✅Only nominations from Research Institutions, Universities and Academic Societies will be accepted. Personal nominations will not. Join us in celebrating and continuing the legacy of Professor Tu Youyou by nominating distinguished researchers who have made impactful contributions to the field. Together, let’s honor those who push the boundaries of science and contribute to global health advancements. For more information on the nomination process and deadlines, please visit: https://brnw.ch/21wLAMI #MDPI #TuYouyouAward #MDPIAwards #NaturalProductsChemistry #MedicinalChemistry #ScientificExcellence #GlobalHealth #NobelPrize #Artemisinin #MalariaResearch #InnovationInScience

Hi all, good opportunity to share science on zoonoses and emerging pathogens at @Pathogens_MDPI : ***Ecology and Evolution of Viral Pathogens: From Wildlife to Human Infections*** Please follow the link for detailed info: https://lnkd.in/dgTmukSt