Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 6554

Special Issue Editors

Preclinical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, Bucharest, Romania
Interests: cell biology; microbial molecular biology; microbiota; virulence factors; antimicrobials

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Guest Editor
Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: cell biology; microbial molecular biology; microbiota; virulence factors; antimicrobials
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Guest Editor
Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: viral mechanisms; immune evasion; targeted therapy; biomarkers for early diagnosis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular biology has greatly impacted the field of infectious disease diagnosis and management. The use of molecular methods, particularly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, has led to a significant improvement in the detection and characterization of microorganisms. These methods now allow for better and more rapid identification of microorganisms in contrast with traditional laboratory methods, such as cultures. In addition to detection, molecular methods have also progressed to include detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, strain characterization through genotyping, and viral resistance which is important in monitoring responses to generic or targeted antiviral therapies. One of the key advantages of molecular methods is their ability to provide rapid results, which is particularly important for the management of infectious diseases that require prompt treatment. Molecular methods have also been used to detect and monitor antimicrobial resistance, which is an increasing public health concern worldwide. The ability to detect resistance genes in bacteria species can help to guide the selection of appropriate antibiotics and improve patient outcomes, in all medical specialties. Furthermore, molecular methods have also been used for viral strain characterization, which can provide important information for tracking outbreaks and understanding the epidemiology of infectious diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and can also monitor the emergence and spread of antibiotic- and antiviral-resistant organisms, which is, again, of great importance for infection control and public health. With these advancements, the field of molecular biology of infectious diseases is expected to continue to grow in the future and provide new insights and strategies to combat infectious diseases.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original articles, review articles, and case reports that highlight the clinical impact of molecular biology techniques for an improved clinical diagnostic of infectious diseases and their impact on a better clinical management of the patient.

Dr. Elena Rusu
Dr. Diana Roxana Pelinescu
Dr. Laura Georgiana Necula
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • molecular biology
  • infectious diseases
  • clinical diagnostic
  • early detection
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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13 pages, 750 KiB  
Review
Infectious Microorganisms Seen as Etiologic Agents in Parkinson’s Disease
by Stuparu Alina Zorina, Sanda Jurja, Mihaela Mehedinti, Ana-Maria Stoica, Dana Simona Chita, Stuparu Alexandru Floris and Any Axelerad
Life 2023, 13(3), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030805 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4278
Abstract
Infections represent a possible risk factor for parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease (PD) based on information from epidemiology and fundamental science. The risk is unclear for the majority of agents. Moreover, the latency between infection and PD seems to be very varied and often [...] Read more.
Infections represent a possible risk factor for parkinsonism and Parkinson’s disease (PD) based on information from epidemiology and fundamental science. The risk is unclear for the majority of agents. Moreover, the latency between infection and PD seems to be very varied and often lengthy. In this review, the evidence supporting the potential involvement of infectious microorganisms in the development of Parkinson’s disease is examined. Consequently, it is crucial to determine the cause and give additional treatment accordingly. Infection is an intriguing suggestion regarding the cause of Parkinson’s disease. These findings demonstrate that persistent infection with viral and bacterial microorganisms might be a cause of Parkinson’s disease. As an initiating factor, infection may generate a spectrum of gut microbiota dysbiosis, engagement of glial tissues, neuroinflammation, and alpha-synuclein accumulation, all of which may trigger and worsen the onset in Parkinson’s disease also contribute to its progression. Still uncertain is the primary etiology of PD with infection. The possible pathophysiology of PD infection remains a matter of debate. Furthermore, additional study is required to determine if PD patients develop the disease due to infectious microorganisms or solely since they are more sensitive to infectious causes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases)
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8 pages, 396 KiB  
Case Report
A Surprising Case of Triple Acute Hepatitis Infection
by Ion Ștefan, Ioana-Mădălina Cristea, Alexia-Teodora Ștefan, Aurelian-Emil Ranetti, Carmen Adella Sirbu, Elena Rusu, Cosmin Alec Moldovan, Polliana M. Leru and Claudiu-Eduard Nistor
Life 2023, 13(8), 1761; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13081761 - 17 Aug 2023
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Abstract
Viral hepatitis continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the burden has significantly diminished thanks to the large-scale use of vaccines and antivirals. However, there are still challenges regarding viral hepatitis management, especially when more than one pathogenic [...] Read more.
Viral hepatitis continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the burden has significantly diminished thanks to the large-scale use of vaccines and antivirals. However, there are still challenges regarding viral hepatitis management, especially when more than one pathogenic agent is involved. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman who had a simultaneous infection involving three hepatitis viruses: HAV, HBV, and HEV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases)
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