About this Research Topic
Bacterial or viral pathogens causing lower respiratory tract infections present significant global health challenges. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are key players in this infection. Mtb is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), primarily affecting the lungs, while RSV commonly infects the lungs and airways, leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Both Mtb and RSV are notorious pathogens causing severe lower respiratory illnesses and deaths. Co-infection of RSV with Mtb, particularly in children under 5 years old and the elderly, can worsen mortality and morbidity rates. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems play a role in protective immunity against Mtb and RSV, though different immunological pathway is engaged for these infections. Understanding the immunological complexities associated with the two pathogens might be essential for developing prevention and treatment strategies against these challenging respiratory pathogens.
Despite the long-standing impact of Mtb and RSV on human health, the quest for effective vaccines against these two pathogens is still going on. The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the mechanisms of protective immunity against Mtb and RSV infection, as well as vaccination. This includes identifying immunogenic markers and immune correlates of protection, as well as leveraging recent technological advancements to accelerate vaccine development.
Recently, the U.S. FDA approved two RSV vaccines for pregnant women and individuals aged 60 and above. Both vaccines are efficacious in significantly reducing RSV-associated morbidity and mortality, as demonstrated by randomized control trials. A vaccine that is effective for young children needs to be developed. Similarly, overcoming the hurdles in creating an Mtb vaccine demands innovative strategies. The use of cutting-edge technologies and a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions will be crucial in accelerating progress toward an effective vaccine.
We encourage researchers from diverse disciplines to contribute as original research articles, reviews, case studies, methodological advances, opinions, and short communications that align with critical areas of study that can enhance our understanding of lower respiratory immunity and contribute to better preventive measures. Research contributions to be considered for publication under our Research Topic shall fall in one of the following areas:
Immunopathogenesis / Immunogenic Markers of Mtb and RSV:
• Identifying robust surrogate markers to predict disease severity; novel markers that aid in predicting the progression from latent TB infection to active TB, and treatment response.
• Discovering specific markers associated with protective immune responses against Mtb and RSV and early diagnosis of these infections.
• Developing improved immunodiagnostics for early detection of Mtb and RSV infections, validating, and field evaluating in different settings.
Vaccines / Immunotherapies / Immune correlates protections:
• Investigating potential prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates using animal models.
• Translating immune-based findings into effective primary and secondary prevention strategies.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing vaccines and novel ones in different populations.
• Assessing correlates of vaccine-induced protection, including animal challenge experiments.
• Discovering, developing, and clinical evaluations of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulators.
• Recent advancements in vaccine technology, including the mRNA platform, as well as preclinical and clinical evaluations of mRNA vaccines against these pathogens.
Despite the long-standing impact of Mtb and RSV on human health, the quest for effective vaccines against these two pathogens is still going on. The aim of this Research Topic is to explore the mechanisms of protective immunity against Mtb and RSV infection, as well as vaccination. This includes identifying immunogenic markers and immune correlates of protection, as well as leveraging recent technological advancements to accelerate vaccine development.
Recently, the U.S. FDA approved two RSV vaccines for pregnant women and individuals aged 60 and above. Both vaccines are efficacious in significantly reducing RSV-associated morbidity and mortality, as demonstrated by randomized control trials. A vaccine that is effective for young children needs to be developed. Similarly, overcoming the hurdles in creating an Mtb vaccine demands innovative strategies. The use of cutting-edge technologies and a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions will be crucial in accelerating progress toward an effective vaccine.
We encourage researchers from diverse disciplines to contribute as original research articles, reviews, case studies, methodological advances, opinions, and short communications that align with critical areas of study that can enhance our understanding of lower respiratory immunity and contribute to better preventive measures. Research contributions to be considered for publication under our Research Topic shall fall in one of the following areas:
Immunopathogenesis / Immunogenic Markers of Mtb and RSV:
• Identifying robust surrogate markers to predict disease severity; novel markers that aid in predicting the progression from latent TB infection to active TB, and treatment response.
• Discovering specific markers associated with protective immune responses against Mtb and RSV and early diagnosis of these infections.
• Developing improved immunodiagnostics for early detection of Mtb and RSV infections, validating, and field evaluating in different settings.
Vaccines / Immunotherapies / Immune correlates protections:
• Investigating potential prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates using animal models.
• Translating immune-based findings into effective primary and secondary prevention strategies.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing vaccines and novel ones in different populations.
• Assessing correlates of vaccine-induced protection, including animal challenge experiments.
• Discovering, developing, and clinical evaluations of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulators.
• Recent advancements in vaccine technology, including the mRNA platform, as well as preclinical and clinical evaluations of mRNA vaccines against these pathogens.
Keywords: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Immunopathogenesis, Immune correlates protection, Monoclonal antibodies, immunomodulators, Immunodiagnostics, Vaccines, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, tuberculosis, Mtb
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.
