Guest Editors
Ana R Freitas, PhD, University of Porto, Portugal
Guido Werner, PhD, Georg August University Göttingen & Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany
Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 9 January 2026
Call for papers - Impact of nosocomial infections on health
Meet the Guest Editors
Back to topAna R Freitas, PhD, University of Porto, Portugal
With over 15 years of experience in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, her work has advanced the biology and epidemiology of enterococci, reflected in 75 peer-reviewed articles (H-index 26, Scopus), >100 GenBank sequences/genomes, and 4 book chapters. She has collaborated with 161 co-authors across four continents and serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals and European agencies, including the European Commission and EFSA. Ana has co-edited 9 special issues on AMR and played a key role in organizing international scientific events.
As an educator and mentor, she has supervised students at all levels, including PhD, MSc, Erasmus, and undergraduates. She has secured national and international research funding, including as principal investigator, and has delivered 130+ communications at international congresses. Her achievements include 2 national fellowships, a highly competitive post-doc research contract, 9 awards, and 13 congress grants. Ana is a member of ECCMID, ESGEM, EFWISG, ESGMD, ESGFOR, and SPM, and serves as the scientific ambassador of BacTdrugs-UCIBIO, leading science communication for multiple groups. She also co-coordinated MicroMundo@UPorto and MicroMundo@IUCS_CESPU, engaging students in citizen science projects. In January 2025, she was honored as an ESCMID Fellow, a distinction recognizing professional excellence and outstanding contributions.
Guido Werner, PhD, Georg August University Göttingen & Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany
His research focuses on the microbiological aspects of antibiotic resistance in bacterial hospital pathogens. As head of the Reference Center, he leads a diagnostic laboratory that integrates primary and confirmatory diagnostics with advanced molecular strain-typing techniques, including whole-genome sequencing. His team has been at the forefront of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, contributing to national and international strategies for identifying, preventing, and controlling the spread of resistant pathogens. His work has directly influenced public health policies at local, regional, and global levels.
He has published extensively in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology and serves as an editor for leading journals. Additionally, he has successfully led numerous national and international research projects as a principal investigator and served as a reviewer for European research programs. His collaborations with European agencies, including the European Commission and the ECDC, have provided him with in-depth expertise in harmonizing health standards across Europe.
About the Collection
Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, pose a significant threat to patient safety and public health. These infections arise during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting and can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has further complicated the management of nosocomial infections, making them a critical focus for healthcare professionals and researchers to protect the most vulnerable patients in hospitals.
Understanding the genomic characteristics of these pathogens and the factors contributing to their spread is essential for developing effective prevention and control strategies. By leveraging genomic data, researchers may uncover novel insights into the mechanisms of infection and resistance, leading to the development of targeted therapeutics and vaccines. Moreover, improved surveillance methods may facilitate real-time monitoring of infection outbreaks, allowing healthcare facilities to respond more effectively and mitigate the risks associated with nosocomial infections.
This Collection aims to gather innovative research on the impact of nosocomial infections on health, focusing on their genomic characteristics, risk factors, and surveillance methods.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Image credit: © Christoph Burgstedt / stock.adobe.com
There are currently no articles in this collection.
Submission Guidelines
Back to topThis Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles, Database, Software, Case Report, Study protocol, Matters Arising and Comment. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Impact of nosocomial infections on health" from the dropdown menu.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.