Protozoan parasites cause several diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis and amebiasis, which result in considerable morbidity and mortality around the world, in particular, in low-income countries. Interestingly, protozoan parasites had developed multiple strategies to recognize and invade their hosts as well as to ensure survival in the presence of the immune systems. However, despite being of critical importance, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying host/parasite interactions and protein trafficking are not completely understood. In this regard, it is known that specific parasite proteins or factors play essential roles in the invasion and the survival in the host.
This Research Topic will focus on different cellular and molecular mechanisms employed by these parasites to establish an infection and thrive within its host. This includes mechanisms of recognition, uptake, establishment and survival of the parasite within the host. The understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, is essential to unravel the complex parasite biology and could lead to formulate a rational strategy for the design of new, more effective, therapies.
For this topic, we welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini Reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Host recognition
2. Mechanisms of host infection and host cell invasion
3. Parasite replication, differentiation and survival in the host
4. Host metabolic pathway exploited by protozoan parasites
5. Cell biology of organelles involved in host/parasite interaction
6. Omics resources as a basis for investigating the cell and developmental biology of parasite-host interactions
Protozoan parasites cause several diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis and amebiasis, which result in considerable morbidity and mortality around the world, in particular, in low-income countries. Interestingly, protozoan parasites had developed multiple strategies to recognize and invade their hosts as well as to ensure survival in the presence of the immune systems. However, despite being of critical importance, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying host/parasite interactions and protein trafficking are not completely understood. In this regard, it is known that specific parasite proteins or factors play essential roles in the invasion and the survival in the host.
This Research Topic will focus on different cellular and molecular mechanisms employed by these parasites to establish an infection and thrive within its host. This includes mechanisms of recognition, uptake, establishment and survival of the parasite within the host. The understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, is essential to unravel the complex parasite biology and could lead to formulate a rational strategy for the design of new, more effective, therapies.
For this topic, we welcome Original Research articles, Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Mini Reviews that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Host recognition
2. Mechanisms of host infection and host cell invasion
3. Parasite replication, differentiation and survival in the host
4. Host metabolic pathway exploited by protozoan parasites
5. Cell biology of organelles involved in host/parasite interaction
6. Omics resources as a basis for investigating the cell and developmental biology of parasite-host interactions