Genetic and Immunological Studies of Parasite–Host Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

As the clinical symptoms of most parasitic diseases are non-specific and easily confused with other medical diseases, the incomplete collection of the epidemiological history makes diagnosis difficult. Zoonotic parasitic diseases are characterized by a wide variety of species, diverse clinical manifestations, and complex and changeable epidemiological factors, which are difficult to effectively control and eliminate, and that seriously threaten human health and cause huge economic losses. According to incomplete statistics, there are nearly 70 known zoonotic parasitic diseases, and most of the infection mechanisms have yet to be thoroughly studied. The genotypes and risk factors of parasitic infection in each region are discrepant, and the probability of gene exchange between humanized regions and wild regions is also different, resulting in differences in pathogenicity, drug sensitivity and infectivity. Genetic polymorphisms also lead to hardships in vaccine development, prophylaxis and the treatment of parasitic diseases. Currently, omics technology is being used to research physiology and biochemistry, antigenic variation, immune mechanisms and gene function, involving the functions of genes related to parasite growth and development. Pathogenesis, immune mechanisms, differential expression, and drug resistance will be elucidated, which will provide the basis for the immune prevention of parasitic diseases. Evaluating the biological functions of genes will pave the way for the discovery of small-molecule drug targets and new vaccine candidate genes and will lay a solid foundation for the control of parasitic diseases.

The study of parasite genetic diversity can provide theoretical support for the evolution of parasites and deepen our understanding of the biological origin of parasites. Every year, diseases caused by parasites cause serious harm to animal health and the development of animal husbandry, which has led scientists to deepen their research, from gene diversity to population genetics, from gene function to immune agents, from omics research to mechanism discussion, and from diagnostic technology to comprehensive prevention and control. These studies will accelerate our understanding of the genetic essence of host insects.

This Special Issue is dedicated to analyses of how parasites adapt to the diversity of hosts and explore new gene functions through new technologies, in which new genes are found by omics technology. Exploring the effect of genes on host immune function will be particularly scrutinized.

Some pathogenic parasites are in the adult stage, and some are in the larval stage. Various parasites are living individuals with their own life cycles, including their existence, transmission, and reproduction. Biodiversity in the parasite community, like all other independent organisms, includes parasite species diversity, reproductive development diversity, ecological distribution diversity, and genetic diversity. Therefore, it is very necessary to study and publish relevant work.

Here, we aim to publish cutting-edge original research in gene diversity and gene function concerning theory, methods, or applications in a range of parasite fields. This Special Issue will address parasite genetic diversity and research on new functions of parasite genes; thus, manuscripts from researchers in the area of the effects of parasites on hosts and pathogens are particularly welcome.

Papers describing the latest discoveries with regard to the diversity and function of parasites genes, including the genes of the parasites and the interaction between these genes with the hosts, or any information to complement the gaps in parasite–parasite and parasite–host interactions, are invited. We welcome original research, review articles, and correspondence on topics including, but not limited to, the above aspects.

Dr. Zi-Guo Yuan
Guest Editor

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