Toxoplasma gondii: More Insights into Host-Pathogen Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

Over one-third of the world’s human population have been said to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Besides its substantial medical and veterinary significance, this single-cell protozoan parasite has a remarkable ability to evade very powerful host immune defense mechanisms and cause disease. Significant and rapid progress has been made in the last few years in order to discover the factors, pathways, mechanisms, and molecules that shape this complex and dynamic host–pathogen relationship. A greater understanding of the strategies and mechanisms by which this parasite can wreak havoc, shut down multiple essential functions, and reprogram host cell signalling pathways could one day open the door to developing better ways to fighting what can be life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. In this Special Issue, we hope to publish reviews and research articles that capture the novel aspects of the fascinating and dynamic interaction between T. gondii and its host. Topics that will be considered include, but are not limited to, the analysis of the molecular changes in the structure or function of host cells following T. gondii infection, understanding the host response to infection or to treatment with anti-Toxoplasma drugs, the functional analysis of specific parasite gene(s), and the discovery of new virulence factors or chemical signals that maintain host–parasite interactions

Figure 1. TEM micrograph of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites growing inside a vacuole within the host cell.

Dr. Hany Elsheikha
Guest Editor

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