Obligate intracellular bacteria (e.g., Coxiella, Ehrlichia , Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Chlamydia) require a host cell for replication. These bacteria possess mechanisms to secrete effector molecules into the host cytosol, thereby manipulating the processes of host cells such as vesicular trafficking, apoptosis, autophagy and innate immune response. Many members of this group are pathogenic to humans and represent a significant public health burden worldwide, such as the Q fever epidemic in Dutch during the years 2007–2010 which was the largest outbreak reported to date, with 4029 registered human cases and over 40 000 people assumed to be infected. Due to their strict intracellular growth requirements, and lacking tools for molecular genetic manipulation and mutant screening in vitro, members of this group have been one of the most challenging groups of pathogens to study. Recent developments of technical advances including host cell-free culture system, high-throughput sequencing, imaging and genetic tools have contributed significant insights into adaptive mechanisms and virulence factors of these bacteria.
We believe much more is still to be uncovered about the underlying principles of the physiology and host-pathogen interactions of obligate intracellular bacteria, such as the roles of many secreted effectors of these obligate intracellular bacteria involved in regulating various cellular processes. A better understanding of how these pathogens survive in the intracellular environment not only enhances our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and the regulation of eukaryotic membrane trafficking, but also provides us with potential drug targets and vaccine development strategies for the treatment of these important human diseases. This Research Topic aims to gather the recent advances made in our understanding of the biology, pathogenesis and host-pathogen relationships of these unique bacteria.
We welcome Original Research articles and Reviews under, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Bacterial effectors and their virulence mechanisms
• Molecular mechanisms of host-bacteria interactions during infection
• New tools for genetic manipulation and high-throughput omics
• Development of vaccines and new technologies for the diagnostics
Obligate intracellular bacteria (e.g., Coxiella, Ehrlichia , Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Chlamydia) require a host cell for replication. These bacteria possess mechanisms to secrete effector molecules into the host cytosol, thereby manipulating the processes of host cells such as vesicular trafficking, apoptosis, autophagy and innate immune response. Many members of this group are pathogenic to humans and represent a significant public health burden worldwide, such as the Q fever epidemic in Dutch during the years 2007–2010 which was the largest outbreak reported to date, with 4029 registered human cases and over 40 000 people assumed to be infected. Due to their strict intracellular growth requirements, and lacking tools for molecular genetic manipulation and mutant screening in vitro, members of this group have been one of the most challenging groups of pathogens to study. Recent developments of technical advances including host cell-free culture system, high-throughput sequencing, imaging and genetic tools have contributed significant insights into adaptive mechanisms and virulence factors of these bacteria.
We believe much more is still to be uncovered about the underlying principles of the physiology and host-pathogen interactions of obligate intracellular bacteria, such as the roles of many secreted effectors of these obligate intracellular bacteria involved in regulating various cellular processes. A better understanding of how these pathogens survive in the intracellular environment not only enhances our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and the regulation of eukaryotic membrane trafficking, but also provides us with potential drug targets and vaccine development strategies for the treatment of these important human diseases. This Research Topic aims to gather the recent advances made in our understanding of the biology, pathogenesis and host-pathogen relationships of these unique bacteria.
We welcome Original Research articles and Reviews under, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Bacterial effectors and their virulence mechanisms
• Molecular mechanisms of host-bacteria interactions during infection
• New tools for genetic manipulation and high-throughput omics
• Development of vaccines and new technologies for the diagnostics
