Advances in Viral Disease Epidemiology and Molecular Pathogenesis

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to advancing our understanding of respiratory and mosquito-borne viral diseases, which have had significant impacts on global health. We aim to explore the latest research on the epidemiological patterns and molecular mechanisms underlying these viral infections, with a focus on emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as SARS, COVID-19, zika, and dengue. We invite submissions of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to our understanding of these viral diseases from both epidemiological and molecular perspectives. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

1. Epidemiological and Molecular Foundations of Respiratory and Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases: Sharing studies on the distribution and determinants of diseases caused by viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, and mosquito-borne viruses including zika and dengue. This can include analysis of viral genetic variation, the emergence of new strains, and the factors contributing to their pandemic potential.
2. Host–Virus Dynamics and Immune Response: Exploring the complex interactions between these viruses and their hosts, focusing on the immune evasion strategies employed by the SARS-CoV-2, zika, and dengue viruses and the development of host immunity, particularly in the context of recent outbreaks.
3. Transmission, Surveillance, and Modeling of Viral Diseases: Examining the dynamics of transmission for respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and mosquito-borne viruses, employing mathematical models for disease spread prediction, and evaluating surveillance strategies to inform public health responses, as seen in the tracking of COVID-19 and zika virus outbreaks.
4. Prevention and Control Strategies: Assessing the development and efficacy of vaccines and antiviral therapies specific to respiratory and mosquito-borne viruses, such as those currently in use for COVID-19 and those under development for zika and dengue, alongside public health interventions to achieve their prevention and control.
5. Diagnosis, Zoonosis, and Environmental Aspects: Advancing molecular diagnostics for the early and accurate detection of infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2, zika, and dengue viruses, investigating their zoonotic origins, and understanding the role of environmental reservoirs in their persistence and spread, particularly in the context of emerging diseases.
6. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Viral Research: Encouraging cross-disciplinary research that applies computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, genomics, and proteomics to elucidate the molecular basis of diseases caused by the SARS-CoV-2, zika, and dengue viruses and to inform epidemiological understanding and response strategies.

By focusing on these critical areas, in this Special Issue, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of respiratory and mosquito-borne viruses, providing key insights toward the development of effective strategies to combat these infectious diseases.

Dr. José Arellano Galindo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at mdpi.longhoe.net 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. Microorganisms 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.

• epidemiology
• molecular pathogenesis
• host–virus interactions
• genetic variation
• viral transmission
• vaccines and antivirals
• zoonotic viruses
• environmental reservoirs.