About this Research Topic
1. This research topic aims to compile original research papers and reviews focusing on histopathological aspects of parasitic disorders, immunopathological investigations of host-parasite immune responses, and host-parasite systems.
2. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the immunological adaptation triggered by parasitic diseases affecting both humans and animals. These diseases result in significant financial losses and have detrimental impacts on the health and welfare of affected hosts.
3. Despite significant advancements in molecular research covering immunology, vaccinomics, and vaccinology, studies in helminthology have been given less priority than bacteriology, virology, and protozoology, such as malaria research.
4. Helminth diseases collectively constitute Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), with a high global burden measured by DALY (disability-adjusted life year) metrics. However, an effective anthelmintic vaccine has yet to be commercialized.
5. Scientists worldwide are striving to comprehend the essential biological activities of helminths and unravel the functions of bio-active molecules (BMAs) crucial for their survival, reproduction, and persistence within or outside hosts.
6. This collection will prioritize exploring molecular insights into parasite-host interactions, antigen presentation, host immune responses, and advancements in vaccine development, including preclinical and clinical trials of promising vaccine candidates.
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review and Mini-Review, Policy and Practice Reviews, Hypothesis & Theory, Clinical Trial, Classification, Technology and Code, Study Protocol, Perspective, Case Report, Conceptual Analysis, Data Report, General Commentary, and Opinion.
We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Recent progress in pathobiology, immunology and vaccine development for preventing helminth diseases of human and animals.
• Cells involved and mechanism of innate recognition of excretory-secretory products (ESP) resulting from helminthosis.
• Immune-phenotipization of immune cells (e.g., M1 and M2) participating in the immune response of the animal against helminths.
• Cells and cytokines involved in tissue specific host immunity to helminth infection and mechanism how the host accommodate the presence of helminth when they cannot be eliminated.
• Novel immunological theories in helminth researches such as roles of ILCs, NETosis, EETosis etc.
• Use of novel methods (e.g., CRISPR-Cas, RNAa, RNAi, organoid culture) in the better understanding immunomics and vaccinomics of helminths.
• Roles of adjuvants in the polarization of immunity elicited against anthelmintic vaccines.
• Micro-RNA based diagnosis of helminth diseases.
• Immunological events or explanations of anthelmintic efficacy or resistance.
• Insight into the molecular basis of host specificity.
Keywords: Helminthology, Host-parasite interactions, Immunopathological investigations, Anthelmintic vaccines, Disease mechanism, Parasitic Disorders
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.