Leishmaniasis is a major tropical infectious diseases caused by Leishmania sp. (protozoa) and is one of the primary reasons for high global mortality in the infectious diseases category. Infections are most prevalent in developing countries or regions afflicted with poverty and thus considered as a neglected tropical disease. However, the spread of these parasites is not limited to the country of origin. The mortality rate for these infections is relatively high in affected individuals and a majority develop an immune suppressive condition which increases the frequencies of co-infections. Affected individuals can even remain asymptomatic and therefore contribute to the increased source of pathogen reservoirs, affecting people in other countries through migration. In addition, emergence of drug resistance is a serious concern associated with the prevalence of infections. It has been observed that fast-evolving resistance has developed in the last two decades against almost all available therapeutics. This raising concern is resulting in redirecting the global focus towards eradicating these pathogens.
This Research Topic aims to address fundamental questions that is the need of the hour to combat the growing problems of such tropical infections. It relies on understanding the mechanism of establishment of infection and the molecular basis of the same. It also focusses on the recurrence of infections, host immune response to pathogen and emergence of resistance.
We welcome both Reviews and Original Research articles that can address issues on the following themes:
1. Molecular mechanisms of establishment and progression of infection
2. Molecular basis of immune response during host-parasite interaction
3. Host and parasite physiological response during recurring infection and emergence of resistance.
Leishmaniasis is a major tropical infectious diseases caused by Leishmania sp. (protozoa) and is one of the primary reasons for high global mortality in the infectious diseases category. Infections are most prevalent in developing countries or regions afflicted with poverty and thus considered as a neglected tropical disease. However, the spread of these parasites is not limited to the country of origin. The mortality rate for these infections is relatively high in affected individuals and a majority develop an immune suppressive condition which increases the frequencies of co-infections. Affected individuals can even remain asymptomatic and therefore contribute to the increased source of pathogen reservoirs, affecting people in other countries through migration. In addition, emergence of drug resistance is a serious concern associated with the prevalence of infections. It has been observed that fast-evolving resistance has developed in the last two decades against almost all available therapeutics. This raising concern is resulting in redirecting the global focus towards eradicating these pathogens.
This Research Topic aims to address fundamental questions that is the need of the hour to combat the growing problems of such tropical infections. It relies on understanding the mechanism of establishment of infection and the molecular basis of the same. It also focusses on the recurrence of infections, host immune response to pathogen and emergence of resistance.
We welcome both Reviews and Original Research articles that can address issues on the following themes:
1. Molecular mechanisms of establishment and progression of infection
2. Molecular basis of immune response during host-parasite interaction
3. Host and parasite physiological response during recurring infection and emergence of resistance.
