Pathogenesis Mechanisms and Antimicrobial Strategies against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens

Dear Colleagues,

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens presents significant clinical challenges and affects health outcomes on a global level. The pathogenesis of infection by MDR pathogens is affected by several factors such as resistance types, virulence mechanisms, host susceptibility, management, etc. In turn, pathogenetic mechanisms have many different implications on microorganism spread, contact precautions, management options, patient outcomes, and healthcare system burden.

In response to MDR pathogens, several antimicrobial strategies are being developed. Novel antibiotics with unique targets and mechanisms are in the pipeline to overcome existing resistance pathways. Combination therapies, utilizing multiple antimicrobials, aim to overcome resistance by attacking pathogens through different angles. The use of novel antimicrobial mechanisms and technological advances such as bacteriophages, targeted agents, and nanoparticle technology offer specific approaches and targeted drug delivery systems to manage infections by MDR pathogens, enhancing the efficacy of existing treatment options.

Tackling the spread of resistance through stewardship programs is equally crucial. These programs encompass multifaceted strategies and practices, focusing on optimizing antibiotic use to minimize the emergence and dissemination of resistance in healthcare settings.

This Special Issue is a collection of laboratory, experimental, and clinical research articles, as well as reviews, related to MDR pathogens (primarily bacteria) and specifically to the pathogenesis of infection, antimicrobial options, and antimicrobial strategies. The ultimate aim is to create a scientific hub of recent advances in successful and novel evidence-driven strategies to control the spread and burden of infections by MDR pathogens.

Dr. Nikolaos Spernovasilis
Dr. Constantinos Tsioutis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• antimicrobial stewardship
• antimicrobial treatment
• bacteriophages
• drug development
• efflux
• enzymes
• immunology
• infection control
• monoclonal antibodies
• multi-drug resistance
• nanoparticles
• pathogenesis
• pathophysiology
• target