Unveiling Intricate Host-Virus Interactions in Aquaculture

Research in aquatic farming systems is currently focused on understanding the significant alterations caused by viral pathogens to host species. Farmed species such as salmonids, penaeid shrimps, Pacific oysters, and tilapia exhibit varying responses to viral infections. For instance, RNA virus-infected salmonids engage interferon-mediated immune responses but often suffer from enduring infections. In crustaceans like shrimps, viruses such as the White Spot Syndrome Virus enter host cells using endocytic pathways, eluding host immune defenses. Meanwhile, OsHV-1 in oysters progressively exploits the host's cellular mechanisms, leading to metabolic shifts that favor bacterial infections. Despite the vast toll inflicted by viral infections, our understanding of these interactions remains limited.
Giant viruses, notably Ostreid herpesvirus 1 µVar, White Spot Syndrome Virus, and Tilapia Lake Virus, pose significant threats to mollusks, crustaceans, and fish within aquaculture systems. As these viruses impact host physiology and shape disease dynamics, understanding their interactions with host immune responses and metabolic pathways becomes critical. This Research Topic seeks to probe deeper into these viral interactions while accounting for environmental influences such as temperature changes and nutrient fluxes. It aims to uncover the physiological pathways compromised by viral infections, highlight the host's vulnerabilities, and identify resilience factors, thereby providing insights into innovative aquaculture management solutions.
We welcome contributions addressing the physiological influence of giant viruses on aquatic farmed species, constrained to the scope of aquaculture contexts. Research submissions may explore:
o Viral entry pathways and initial host interactions
o Evasion strategies employed by viruses to circumvent host defenses
o Metabolic changes following viral infections
o Progression of diseases within aquaculture settings
o Environmental impacts on virus-host dynamics
Studies on commercially significant species such as oysters, shrimps, tilapia, and salmonids are of particular interest. We encourage works utilizing molecular, transcriptomic, immunological, and ecological research methods. Manuscripts that connect physiological findings to aquaculture practices, disease control, and climate adaptation are strongly encouraged. Article types accepted include: Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Hypothesis & Theory, Methods, and Perspective articles.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Aquaculture, Giant viruses, Host-pathogen interactions, Metabolic reprogramming, Immune evasion, Viral entry mechanisms, Environmental modulation

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.