The study of emerging and zoonotic viral diseases represents a critical area in infectious disease research, with implications for human, animal, and ecosystem health worldwide. In recent decades, there has been an alarming increase in the frequency and impact of outbreaks caused by novel or re-emerging viruses, such as coronaviruses, influenza viruses, and arboviruses. These pathogens often cross species barriers, sometimes with devastating consequences for both public health and the economy. Despite extensive advancements in virology and molecular diagnostics, significant knowledge gaps remain in our understanding of viral pathogenesis at the tissue and organ levels, as well as in the intricate immunopathological responses elicited in different hosts. Cutting-edge studies have focused on delineating viral tropism, mechanisms of immune evasion, and host–pathogen interplay, yet much remains to be learned about the determinants of virulence, interspecies transmission, and the emergence of novel viruses. Addressing these gaps is crucial for early diagnosis, effective containment, and the development of targeted therapeutics and vaccines.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the pathology associated with emerging and zoonotic viral diseases, focusing on comprehensive gross and microscopic descriptions of lesions, mechanisms of tissue injury, and the molecular underpinnings of disease in diverse hosts. Key objectives include elucidating patterns of target organ involvement, charting host–pathogen interactions and immune responses, and exploring clinicopathological correlations that may reveal novel diagnostic biomarkers. By emphasizing comparative pathology across animal and human infections and integrating One Health perspectives, this Topic seeks to shed light on zoonotic transmission dynamics and the ecological interfaces that drive spillover events.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses investigations into the pathological, molecular, and immunological features of viral infections that arise at the junction of the human–animal–environment triad. While the primary focus is on emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viruses, work pertaining to related fields—including spillover mechanisms, host range adaptations, and advanced pathological techniques—is also invited. To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Gross and microscopic pathology of emerging and zoonotic viral diseases

o Cellular and tissue tropism, target organ involvement, and lesion characterization

o Immunopathology and mechanisms of tissue damage and immune evasion

o Molecular and immunohistochemical diagnostics for clinicopathological correlation

o Comparative pathology and One Health approaches in viral transmission dynamics

o Viral genomics, phylogenetics, and advanced imaging in studying pathogenesis

o Wildlife–livestock–human interface and implications for surveillance, control, and risk assessment

Appendix: We invite original research articles, short communications, case reports, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, perspectives, brief research reports, and methodology papers focusing on novel or improved pathological and diagnostic approaches to emerging and zoonotic viral diseases.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Unravelling host–pathogen interactions in emerging and zoonotic viral infections