About this Research Topic

Background

Parasitic protozoa are microorganisms with a high genomic diversity, which reflects in a myriad of life cycle styles that are translated into variations in morphology, metabolism and organelles as a result of millions of years of co-adaptation with their hosts. Each parasite faces different physical, chemical, physiological, microbiological and immunological barriers within their hosts that need to be counteracted to ensure their life cycles. Thus, parasites have evolved multiple strategies including cellular differentiation processes, leading to successful proliferation, pathogenicity and transmissibility.
Protozoan parasites, mainly vector-borne, are etiological agents of devastating human and livestock diseases, causing important global public health and economic problems. Therefore, exploring the life cycle of these organisms can reveal rational approaches for controlling these diseases. Although their life cycles have been of interest for a long time, there are still unclear aspects, mainly in molecular processes, emphasizing how different environments translate into different life cycles. Therefore, unveiling parasite plasticity is essential to outline therapeutic strategies and also elucidate the evolutionary history shaped by the relationship with their hosts.
The goal of this Research Topic is to gather and provide visibility to investigations that highlight novel aspects of the life cycle of protozoan parasites, particularly but not exclusively on the following sub-topics:
- Molecular basis of parasite differentiation. - Mechanisms of invasion, such as active host cell invasion, induced phagocytosis and gliding. - Immune evasion and other host scape strategies. - Host-parasite interactions. - Features of the parasites' life cycle forms. - Reproduction type. - Exploring the life cycle for therapeutic strategies. - Vector-parasite interactions involved in the parasite transmission.

Keywords: Differentiation, transmission, invasion, evasion mechanisms, host-parasite interactions, drug development

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