About this Research Topic
Trypanosomatids are highly successful protozoan parasites and are among the most important human pathogens. The complex and varied life cycles of these parasites, their ability to inhabit diverse ecological niches, and infect a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts provide one of the most fascinating research areas in modern parasitology.
Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and the numerous members of the Leishmania genus are the etiologic agents of sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis), Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) and cutaneous/visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. These infections affect millions of people and rank high amongst neglected tropical diseases as major diseases of global impact. Despite the efforts of the scientific community, global agencies, and governments, disease prevalence remains unaltered in many endemic regions of the world.
This Research Topic will include contributions that highlight advances and challenges regarding important diseases: Chagas' disease, African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, with an emphasis on new developments in pathogenesis and treatment. The issue will have one major area of emphasis, namely, biological mechanisms influencing disease spectrum and progression.
Specific areas of interest include:
• Parasite population genetics, and the impact of parasite diversity on transmission, disease progression, and susceptibility, and comparative genomics contributions providing new insights into parasite genetics, evolutionary trends, pathogenicity, virulence, tissue tropism, and potential drug sensitivity;
• Polyomics (genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic) and integrative approaches to host-parasite interactions, the complexities underlying vector competency, host range, and parasite life cycle, and their influence on the spectrum of clinical disease and outcomes;
• Applied parasitology and anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery and development, with emphasis on the biochemical basis and molecular targets for emerging therapies and drivers of drug resistance. Key challenges in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, target-based, and combination approaches, as well as ongoing clinical trials, are welcome.
This Research Topic welcomes the following article types: Original Research, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, General Commentary, and Opinion.
Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and the numerous members of the Leishmania genus are the etiologic agents of sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis), Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) and cutaneous/visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. These infections affect millions of people and rank high amongst neglected tropical diseases as major diseases of global impact. Despite the efforts of the scientific community, global agencies, and governments, disease prevalence remains unaltered in many endemic regions of the world.
This Research Topic will include contributions that highlight advances and challenges regarding important diseases: Chagas' disease, African trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis, with an emphasis on new developments in pathogenesis and treatment. The issue will have one major area of emphasis, namely, biological mechanisms influencing disease spectrum and progression.
Specific areas of interest include:
• Parasite population genetics, and the impact of parasite diversity on transmission, disease progression, and susceptibility, and comparative genomics contributions providing new insights into parasite genetics, evolutionary trends, pathogenicity, virulence, tissue tropism, and potential drug sensitivity;
• Polyomics (genomic, proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic) and integrative approaches to host-parasite interactions, the complexities underlying vector competency, host range, and parasite life cycle, and their influence on the spectrum of clinical disease and outcomes;
• Applied parasitology and anti-trypanosomatid drug discovery and development, with emphasis on the biochemical basis and molecular targets for emerging therapies and drivers of drug resistance. Key challenges in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, target-based, and combination approaches, as well as ongoing clinical trials, are welcome.
This Research Topic welcomes the following article types: Original Research, Methods, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, General Commentary, and Opinion.
Keywords: Chemotherapy, Trypanosomatids, Drug Discovery, Targets, Emerging
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
