Microsporidia describes a diverse group of obligate intracellular, spore-forming parasitic fungi that infect animal hosts. Mostly infecting insects, they can also infect fish, crustaceans and even humans. Fisheries have seen substantial damage from Microsporidia infections, which are also a driving factor of honey bee losses, threatening food security and agricultural economy. In humans, these opportunistic parasites can cause microsporidiosis which is especially a risk to immuno-compromised patients.
This Research Topic aims to further understanding of the diverse group of microsporidian parasites, including their evolutionary origins, host manipulation as well as allele selection during host-parasite co-evolution. By increasing our understanding of these parasites, this will have potential to advance treatment of infections and control of such parasites. Subjects of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Characterization, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Microsporidian parasite species
• Genome sequencing and technological advances providing further insights into evolution and function of microsporidian parasites
• Identification of genes essential for the parasite proliferation and host manipulation
• Co-evolution with hosts and how Microsporidia adapt to multiple hosts
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Opinion and Perspective articles.
Microsporidia describes a diverse group of obligate intracellular, spore-forming parasitic fungi that infect animal hosts. Mostly infecting insects, they can also infect fish, crustaceans and even humans. Fisheries have seen substantial damage from Microsporidia infections, which are also a driving factor of honey bee losses, threatening food security and agricultural economy. In humans, these opportunistic parasites can cause microsporidiosis which is especially a risk to immuno-compromised patients.
This Research Topic aims to further understanding of the diverse group of microsporidian parasites, including their evolutionary origins, host manipulation as well as allele selection during host-parasite co-evolution. By increasing our understanding of these parasites, this will have potential to advance treatment of infections and control of such parasites. Subjects of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Characterization, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Microsporidian parasite species
• Genome sequencing and technological advances providing further insights into evolution and function of microsporidian parasites
• Identification of genes essential for the parasite proliferation and host manipulation
• Co-evolution with hosts and how Microsporidia adapt to multiple hosts
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Opinion and Perspective articles.
