Infectious Disease Pathology in the Era of Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens

This chapter examines the pathological responses associated with contemporary infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on the lessons drawn from COVID-19, mpox, and drug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections regarding tissue tropism, host–pathogen interactions, and mechanisms of systemic injury. It reviews the evolving role of molecular diagnostics, including metagenomic next-generation sequencing and rapid multiplex PCR platforms, in enhancing pathogen detection and characterization at the tissue level. The chapter also explores the pathological continuum from acute infectious injury to post-infectious fibrosis and chronic inflammatory sequelae, highlighting opportunities for pathology-driven translational research.