Aims & Scope
International Journal of Clinical Microbiology publishes research on microbial physiology, genetics, pathogenesis mechanisms, antimicrobial resistance, and host-microbe interactions across bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic systems.
Core Research Domains Tier 1
Microbial Pathogenesis & Virulence
- Bacterial toxins and secretion systems
- Viral entry mechanisms and replication strategies
- Fungal pathogenicity factors
- Parasitic invasion and immune evasion
- Host-pathogen molecular interactions
- Biofilm formation and quorum sensing
"Characterization of novel Type III secretion effectors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their role in epithelial cell invasion"
Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms
- Resistance gene identification and characterization
- Horizontal gene transfer and mobile genetic elements
- Efflux pumps and membrane permeability
- Target site modifications
- Enzymatic inactivation mechanisms
- Multidrug resistance phenotypes
"Genomic analysis of carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae: novel plasmid-mediated mechanisms and transmission dynamics"
Microbial Genetics & Molecular Biology
- Genome sequencing and comparative genomics
- Gene regulation and expression systems
- CRISPR systems and phage defense
- Metabolic pathway engineering
- Transcriptomics and proteomics
- Evolutionary genetics and adaptation
"Whole-genome sequencing reveals adaptive mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from treatment-naive patients"
Diagnostic Microbiology & Detection Methods
- Molecular diagnostic assays (PCR, qPCR, sequencing)
- Immunological detection methods
- Mass spectrometry applications (MALDI-TOF)
- Biosensor development for pathogen detection
- Point-of-care diagnostic technologies
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing innovations
"Development of multiplex PCR assay for rapid identification of respiratory viral pathogens with enhanced sensitivity"
Secondary Focus Areas Tier 2
Microbial Ecology & Environmental Microbiology
Microbial community dynamics, environmental reservoirs of pathogens, microbiome-host interactions, and ecological factors influencing pathogen emergence.
Immunomicrobiology
Innate and adaptive immune responses to microbial infections, immune evasion strategies, antibody-antigen interactions, and immunological memory mechanisms.
Vaccine Development & Immunogen Design
Novel vaccine candidates, antigen discovery, adjuvant mechanisms, vaccine efficacy studies in animal models, and immunogenicity assessment.
Food & Industrial Microbiology
Foodborne pathogen detection, microbial contamination sources, fermentation microbiology, and industrial applications of microbial enzymes.
Epidemiological Surveillance Methods
Molecular epidemiology, outbreak investigation tools, phylogenetic analysis, transmission dynamics modeling, and surveillance system development.
Zoonotic Pathogens & Vector Biology
Animal-to-human transmission mechanisms, vector competence studies, reservoir host identification, and cross-species pathogen adaptation.
Emerging Research Areas Tier 3
Selective Consideration with Additional Editorial Review
Submissions in these frontier areas undergo enhanced editorial assessment to ensure alignment with core microbiological science. Manuscripts must demonstrate clear mechanistic insights or methodological innovation.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- STROBE for observational studies
- CONSORT for clinical trials
- PRISMA for systematic reviews
- ARRIVE for animal research
- STARD for diagnostic accuracy
Data Transparency
- Raw data deposition required
- Genome sequences in public databases
- Protocols.io or detailed methods
- Statistical analysis code sharing
- Material availability statements
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval
- Informed consent documentation
- Biosafety protocol adherence
- Animal welfare compliance (IACUC)
- Conflict of interest disclosure
Preprint & Publication Policy
- Preprints accepted (bioRxiv, medRxiv)
- Conference abstracts permitted
- No prior full-text publication
- Simultaneous submission prohibited
- Preprint DOI must be disclosed
Ready to Submit Your Research?
If your work advances understanding of microbial mechanisms, pathogenesis, resistance, or diagnostic innovation, we invite your submission.
Submit Manuscript
