About this Research Topic
The circulation of multiple serotypes in specific areas leads to serotype switch and intra-serotypic clade replacement, which is the major reason for changes in transmission dynamics and in increased pathogenicity i.e., most severe form of infection - dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). The complex immunological network involving, viral proteins, circulating NS1 protein, T and B cell response, along with pre-existing cross-reactive flavivirus antibodies and other host factor influences the outcome of the infection.
Besides inflammatory mediators, the role of autoantibodies and other immune mediators including soluble proteins in disease progression is still to be verified. This complexity needs to be understood and researched in detail. Moreover, deep insight into molecular evolution and adaptation is needed at this time to understand the viral factors responsible for persistence of viruses in endemic areas and their emergence in new areas, which will ultimately be helpful in identifying potential targets for antiviral treatments and vaccines. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms by means of which the evolution influence the disease severity have to be explored.
The Research Topic would like to explore in detail about the
1. Virus evolution and adaptation
2. Immune evasion strategies mediated by dengue viruses
3. The immune-pathological mechanism behind severe dengue (DHF/DSS)
4. Host antiviral immunity including the role of miRNA in infection and pathogenesis.
Review, Mini-Review, Original research, General Commentary, Perspective articles on all the sub-themes mentioned above and related areas are welcome as contributions to this Research Topic.
Keywords: Dengue phylogeny, evolutionary dynamics, immune response, immunity, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, T cell immune response, B cell immune response, cytokines, chemokines, miRNA
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