Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections

Dear Colleagues,

The incidence of global infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria has significantly increased in recent years. Gram-negative bacteria contain lipopolysaccharides attached to their outer membranes; this constitutes a unique feature absent in Gram-positive bacteria. Among Gram-negative bacteria, pathogenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter are notable for their association with a wide range of serious infections, including urinary tract infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and zoonotic infections. Several Gram-negative pathogens infect and colonize the gastrointestinal tract and hence are referred to as enteric pathogens. Additionally, oral microbiota have attained significant attention in recent years. This is especially the case for Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone opportunistic pathogen of oral mucosa, as this microorganism is not only the causative agent of chronic periodontitis but is also associated with several systemic diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Owing to their increasing resistance to multiple antibiotics, Gram-negative bacteria are great threats to public health and therefore major causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide. Additionally, biofilm and dormant or persister (antibiotic tolerant) bacteria are of major concerns as many, if not all, traditional antibiotics fail to eradicate them, and, therefore, they are associated with recalcitrant infections.  

Considering the global health crisis ongoing, substantial research efforts should be made to control infections with Gram-negative bacteria. This will require a comprehensive approach, including risk factor identification, virulence potential investigation, the use of advance methodologies for early detection/identification, and the implementation of infection control and prevention strategies. This Special Issue aims to publish original research and reviews in order to advance contributions in this important and timely research topic from the established and emerging experts in this field. Specifically, we aim to publish research related to any Gram-negative bacteria infection. As such, potential research areas include (but are not limited to) detection and diagnosis, antibiotic resistance, dormancy/perister cells, biofilm, new treatments or therapeutics, risk identification, and the prevention of Gram-negative bacteria infection. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Nityananda Chowdhury
Guest Editor

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• Gram-negative bacteria
• antibiotic resistance
• identification
• diagnosis
• prevention
• virulence
• dormancy
• antibiotic tolerance