Scope and Article Types

We publish original research, systematic reviews, short communications, methods papers, surveillance reports, and perspectives that advance understanding of drug-resistant pathogens. Topics include resistance mechanisms, microbial genomics, clinical outcomes, new therapeutics, diagnostics, stewardship programs, and public health interventions.

Interdisciplinary submissions are welcome, especially those that connect laboratory findings with clinical impact or policy relevance. Manuscripts should present validated methods, robust data, and a clear contribution to the AMR evidence base.

Manuscript Structure

Organize your manuscript in a clear, reproducible format to support reviewer assessment and reader understanding.

Formatting and Style

Submit manuscripts in an editable format (DOC or DOCX). Use consistent headings, standard units, and defined abbreviations at first use. For clinical studies, identify patient cohorts, sampling methods, and clinical endpoints clearly.

Provide detailed methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, genomic analysis, or bioinformatics pipelines. Include software versions, reference databases, and thresholds used for resistance calls. Clear methods support replication and improve reviewer confidence.

Figures, Tables, and Supplementary Material

Figures should be clear at publication size with descriptive captions. Tables must be editable and not embedded as images. For genomic or surveillance studies, consider including summary data tables and links to repositories. Supplementary files should be labeled clearly and referenced in the text.

For microscopy images or diagnostic assay outputs, include scale bars and validation details. Any third-party material must have written permission and proper attribution.

Data Availability and Reporting Standards

All submissions must include a Data Availability Statement describing how data can be accessed. When data are restricted, explain the reason and provide a contact pathway for qualified access.

Ethics, Integrity, and Authorship

Authors must confirm ethical approvals for studies involving humans or animals and disclose all conflicts of interest. All authors should meet authorship criteria and approve the final manuscript. Plagiarism and duplicate submission are not permitted.

We use similarity screening and may request original data if concerns arise. Transparent reporting protects the integrity of AMR research and supports clinical trust.

Peer Review and Decision Process

All manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening followed by expert peer review. Reviewers focus on scientific rigor, clinical impact, and methodological clarity.

Two Submission Methods

Select the submission route that best fits your workflow. Both options provide full editorial support.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting, confirm that your manuscript meets these core requirements:

• Title page with author details and affiliations
• Abstract and keywords reflecting the AMR focus
• Methods detailed enough for replication
• Figures and tables labeled and referenced
• Data availability statement included
• Ethics approvals and conflicts disclosed
• References complete with DOIs when available

After Acceptance

Accepted manuscripts move to production quickly. Authors review proofs for accuracy, and final articles are released open access with persistent identifiers and indexing support.

References and Citations

Provide complete references for all sources, including datasets, software, and methods papers. Use a consistent citation style and include DOI information when available. If you cite surveillance data or public health reports, include the issuing organization and publication year for traceability.

When using preprints or non-peer-reviewed sources, clearly label them as such. Accurate citations help reviewers verify claims and allow readers to follow the evidence chain supporting AMR conclusions.

Reporting Standards for AMR Studies

For antimicrobial susceptibility testing, report the method used, interpretive criteria, and quality control standards. For genomic analyses, include reference databases, pipeline versions, and thresholds for resistance gene calls. For clinical studies, describe cohort selection, case definitions, and relevant outcomes.

Where applicable, include registration numbers for clinical trials or observational datasets. Clear reporting enables replication and supports policy and clinical decision making.

Cover Letter and Reviewer Suggestions

A concise cover letter should explain the novelty of the work, its relevance to drug-resistant pathogens, and any special considerations such as related preprints or prior presentations. Authors may suggest qualified reviewers with relevant expertise, but the final selection is at the editor's discretion.

When suggesting reviewers, provide institutional affiliations and avoid recommending recent collaborators or individuals with conflicts of interest. Thoughtful suggestions can help accelerate the review process.

Preprints and Prior Dissemination

We accept manuscripts that have been posted as preprints, provided this is disclosed at submission. If results were presented at a conference, include a brief note in the cover letter.

Proofs and Publication

After acceptance, authors review proofs for accuracy. Minor corrections may be made at this stage. Final articles are published open access with persistent identifiers and indexing support. APCs are invoiced only after acceptance.

Data and Code Repositories

When possible, deposit datasets and analysis scripts in trusted repositories and provide persistent identifiers in the manuscript. For genomic studies, include accession numbers and reference genome details. For bioinformatics pipelines, provide version information and key parameters. These practices support reproducibility and allow other researchers to validate resistance findings.

Clinical Trial and Surveillance Reporting

Clinical trials should include registration numbers and a clear description of trial design. Surveillance studies should report sampling frames, geographic coverage, and inclusion criteria. Clearly describe antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and interpretive standards used to define resistance.

Language and Pre-Submission Support

If English is not your first language or you are unsure about scope alignment, contact the editorial office before submission. Early guidance can prevent delays and ensure that your manuscript meets journal expectations from the outset.

Statistical Reporting

Report statistical methods in enough detail for independent verification. Include measures of variance, confidence intervals, and p-values where appropriate. For observational datasets, describe handling of missing data and sensitivity analyses. Transparent statistics improve interpretability and trust.

Reproducibility Checklist

Confirm that all datasets are accessible, protocols are complete, and analytical code is available when required. Provide accession numbers, software versions, and parameter settings. These details enable other researchers to replicate resistance findings and validate clinical conclusions.

Patient Privacy and Sensitive Data

For clinical datasets, remove identifiers and describe privacy safeguards. If datasets require controlled access, explain the process for qualified researchers to request access. Clear privacy practices are essential for ethical publication and patient trust.

Tables, Figures, and Captions

Ensure that every figure and table is referenced in the text and includes a descriptive caption. Captions should define abbreviations, units, and assay conditions. Well-prepared visuals improve reader understanding and speed the production process.

Reporting Standards and Checklists

Use relevant reporting guidelines for clinical trials, systematic reviews, or observational studies and cite the checklist in your submission. Clear reporting improves peer review efficiency and ensures your work is comparable across AMR studies.

If you use sequencing data or bioinformatics pipelines, provide accession numbers, software versions, and parameter settings so results can be reproduced.

Supplementary files should be clearly labeled, and figure legends must define abbreviations and units to support reproducibility. Provide raw data or code when available to accelerate peer review.

Define all abbreviations at first use and ensure tables are editable.