Advances in Host-Helminth Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitic helminths are among the most pervasive pathogens of the animal kingdom. To complete their life cycle, these worms migrate through host tissues, causing significant damage in their wake. As a result, infection can lead to malnutrition, anemia, multi-organ damage, and increased susceptibility to co-infection. Therefore, studies of the effects of parasites from the perspective of host–helminth interactions can deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of parasitic diseases. Meanwhile, epidemiological studies have been conducted which support the concept that helminth infections, which are characterized by the induction of strong type-2 responses or regulatory T cells, correlate with a decreased prevalence of intestinal inflammatory diseases, obesity, allergic diseases, cancer, etc. Although several helminth-derived vaccine adjuvants have been undergoing clinical trials, the identification of other new molecules, including proteins, miRNAs, lipids, glycans, as well as extracellular vesicles (EVs), derived/released from various helminths is critical for treating the various diseases from the host-pathogen interaction perspective. A better understanding of these questions is important not only from a theoretical point of view but also because of their therapeutic implications.

In this Special Issue of Pathogens, we will provide an updated representation of the current prevention, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of helminth infection. In addition, we offer further insight into future directions and emerging trends in translational science based on pathogen-derived molecules relevant to the topic.

With these aims, we invite researchers to submit high-quality works for consideration. Original research articles, narrative reviews of particular interest and case reports will be considered.

“Advances in Host-Helminth Interactions” will give specialists and scientists involved in parasitology the opportunity to share their experiences or point of view on several critical issues, with the primary objective of improving global knowledge.

Dr. Zhipeng Xu
Dr. Chao Yan
Dr. Pengfei Cai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• helminths
• host-pathogen interaction
• parasite
• immune reaction
• pathogenesis