Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 17-29 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 17 Review Article Open Access Pathogenic Mechanisms of Marine Pathogens and Outbreak Dynamics Hui Xiang, Zhongqi Wu Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: zhongqi.wu@jicat.org Molecular Pathogens, 2024, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0003 Received: 30 Nov., 2023 Accepted: 08 Jan., 2024 Published: 26 Jan., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xiang and Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xiang H., and Wu Z.Q., 2024, Pathogenic mechanisms of marine pathogens and outbreak dynamics, 15(1): 17-29 (doi: 10.5376/mp.2024.15.0003) Abstract Marine pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health. With global climate change and the increase in human activities, the marine environment has undergone significant changes, resulting in an increase in the frequency and intensity of outbreaks of pathogenic microorganisms. These pathogens not only pose a significant hazard to marine life, but also have serious implications for fisheries, aquaculture and public health. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of environmental factors on its pathogenicity, analyze the dynamics and mechanisms of pathogenic microbial outbreaks, and provide a scientific basis for formulating effective prevention and control measures through a comprehensive review of the research progress in these aspects, so as to ultimately reduce the threat of marine pathogenic microorganisms to ecosystems and human health. Keywords Marine pathogenic microorganisms; Pathogenesis; Disease outbreak dynamics; Environmental factors; Detection and monitoring 1 Introduction Marine pathogens are disease-causing organisms that significantly impact marine species and ecosystems. These pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which can infect a wide range of marine organisms such as corals, fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. The dynamics of marine infectious diseases (MIDs) are complex and influenced by various factors, including environmental changes, host-pathogen interactions, and anthropogenic activities (Bidegain et al., 2016; Thurber et al., 2020). Unlike terrestrial systems, the transmission of marine diseases often involves waterborne pathogens, which can spread through direct contact or via filter-feeding processes. The lack of physical barriers in marine environments facilitates the rapid spread of pathogens, leading to widespread outbreaks (McCallum et al., 2003). Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of marine pathogens is crucial for several reasons. Disease outbreaks can lead to mass mortalities and significant declines in marine populations, disrupting ecosystem balance and biodiversity (Ward and Lafferty, 2014). For instance, coral diseases have been linked to ecosystem regime shifts, resulting in the loss of coral species and degradation of reef habitats. The emergence and spread of marine diseases are often exacerbated by climate change and human activities, such as pollution and aquaculture, which can compromise host immunity and introduce new pathogens (Suffridge et al., 2014). Studying these mechanisms helps in predicting and managing disease outbreaks, thereby protecting marine ecosystems and the services they provide to human societies (Ward and Lafferty, 2014). Additionally, understanding the interactions between hosts, pathogens, and the environment can inform conservation and restoration efforts, particularly in vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs (Thurber et al., 2020). This study mainly synthesizes the current knowledge on the pathogenic mechanisms and disease outbreak dynamics of marine pathogens. study the various transmission pathways and factors that influence the spread of marine diseases; explore the impact of human activities on the emergence and spread of marine pathogens; Identify gaps in current research and propose future directions for studying the ecology and management of marine diseases. By achieving these objectives, this study enables a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics
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