Influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 are highly contagious viral pathogens that have a significant impact on global public health. Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with influenza viruses and other respiratory pathogens has been well documented over the past three years, and it may pose an even more significant threat to public health in the future, particularly as the influenza season coincides with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is largely unknown how co-infection with influenza or other respiratory pathogens would impact the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and vice versa. Furthermore, as RNA viruses, both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses evolve rapidly, which means that the pathogenesis of co-infection and host responses may vary with the emergence of new variants. Therefore, it is of vital importance to closely monitor the evolution of these respiratory pathogens and explore the pathogenesis and virulence factors for the purpose of preventing and controlling respiratory infections.

The aim of this research topic is to highlight the most advanced studies on the molecular pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with influenza or other respiratory pathogens, providing great insight into the epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, therapies, and vaccines. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Brief Research Report, Review, and Mini-Review articles that address these issues.

Submissions to this topic may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following sub-topics:
1. Viral evolution, molecular epidemiology, and ecology in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with influenza or other pathogens
2. Viral transmission and associated molecular marker in SARS-CoV-2 coinfection with influenza viruses or other respiratory pathogens
3. Pathogenesis, virus-host interaction, cell tropism, and immune response in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with influenza viruses or other respiratory pathogens
4. The dynamics of host microbiome, virome, and fungiome in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with influenza viruses or other respiratory pathogens
5. Development of therapeutic strategies including antiviral drugs, antibodies, and other treatments against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection and the molecular mechanism
6. Development of vaccines including vaccination strategies, vaccine strain selection, characterization, and optimization against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection

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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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