Malnutrition and Infections

Macro- and micro-nutrients play pleiotropic effects on the host health. These molecules are involved in the normal function and modulation of all the biological processes, including the maintenance of healthy mucosal barriers and immune responses that protects the host against invading pathogens. During the last decades, scientific advances have revealed how nutrients, or the lack of them influence the resistance to infections. Although malnutrition is considered one of the main causes of increased susceptibility to infections, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon have not yet been fully understood. In addition, recovery treatments for malnourished hosts have also not been fully optimized in order to minimize the severity and incidence of infectious diseases.

The aim of this Research Topic is to create a platform of peer-reviewed publications that gather updated information regarding the cellular and molecular interactions of food components such as nutrients or microorganisms with the host and how these interactions modulate the resistance to infections. In addition, this topic will gather advanced approaches of practical applications for improving the nutritional and immunological status of a malnourished host that allow the amelioration of their susceptibility to infections.

Authors are encouraged to submit original research articles or revisions that focus on the interplay between nutrients and food microorganisms with the host, which influences the resistance to infections. We welcome original research, brief research reports, mini-review, and review articles that address the issue of “Malnutrition and Infections”, including the impact of calorie-, protein-, and calorie-protein malnutrition, vitamins, and mineral deficiencies as well as obesity in the resistance to infections.