About this Research Topic
Co-infection refers to the simultaneous infection of the host by two or more distinct pathogens, a phenomenon which is frequently observed. and poses great challenges for diagnosis and patient management. Given the complex interplay between the viruses and their simultaneous effect on the host, disease progression as well as our immune response to the infection(s) can be confounded. For better management of the infection, it is vital to study the dynamics of the pathogens during co-infection, and delineate cross-pathogen interactions, in addition to understanding the overall effect exerted on the host cell. Influenza, HIV and more recently COVID-19, are examples of viral infection that have infected millions of patients, yet, relatively few studies were conducted characterizing the cross-viral interactions, and the effects exerted on the cellular milieu and the host as a whole.
In the last century alone, the world had witnessed many viral pandemics, of which HIV, Influenza and more recently COVID-19 resulted in millions of infections and deaths. Given the scale of infections caused by these viruses, co-infection had likely affected, and continues to affect a significant proportion of the population. The aim of this topic is to explore viral co-infection in detail, and study the interplay between viral proteins as well as how this interplay affects the host cell and immune response. Effects of co-infection on latency and replication dynamics of retroviruses such as HIV are largely unknown, knowledge of which is limited to few clinical and case-control studies. Additionally, the cellular and immune responses to mRNA-based vaccines and their effect on the host-response against co-/superinfection is understudied and deserves special attention.
This Research Topic call is for articles exploring viral co-infection, focusing mainly on HIV, Influenza and SARS-CoV-2, although, other pathogen co-infection and reviews on the subject are also welcomed.
In the last century alone, the world had witnessed many viral pandemics, of which HIV, Influenza and more recently COVID-19 resulted in millions of infections and deaths. Given the scale of infections caused by these viruses, co-infection had likely affected, and continues to affect a significant proportion of the population. The aim of this topic is to explore viral co-infection in detail, and study the interplay between viral proteins as well as how this interplay affects the host cell and immune response. Effects of co-infection on latency and replication dynamics of retroviruses such as HIV are largely unknown, knowledge of which is limited to few clinical and case-control studies. Additionally, the cellular and immune responses to mRNA-based vaccines and their effect on the host-response against co-/superinfection is understudied and deserves special attention.
This Research Topic call is for articles exploring viral co-infection, focusing mainly on HIV, Influenza and SARS-CoV-2, although, other pathogen co-infection and reviews on the subject are also welcomed.
Keywords: Co-infection, Superinfection, host-response, HIV, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2
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