Helminthosis poses a greater global disease burden than malaria and tuberculosis, leading to impaired growth, infertility, and even death in infected individuals. The immuno-pathology of these parasitic infections is intricate, involving a significant expansion of the Th2 lymphocyte subset. Th2 responses, such as IgE production, eosinophilia, and mastocytosis, play crucial roles in both protective immunity and immune-mediated pathology against helminths. The investigation of deep insights into immuno-pathology and host-parasite interactions will offer a strong scientific foundation for conducting pertinent medication development. Research into helminth vaccinology is progressing, demanding a deeper comprehension of vaccine-induced immunity for potent vaccine platforms. Promising approaches including irradiated vaccines, sub-unit vaccines, recombinant proteins with adjuvants, nucleic acid vaccines, and viral vectored vaccines are undergoing preclinical and clinical trials. Progress in understanding helminth immuno-pathology and vaccinology is being propelled by biotechnological advancements in cell culture, molecular biology, and gene editing.

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.

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Frontiers in Immunology

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