New Insights into the Pathogenesis, Immunology and Treatment of Human Babesiosis and Other Erythrocytic Pathogens

Dear Colleagues,

Erythrocytic protozoa parasites, including Babesia and Plasmodium, occupy a unique cellular niche that impacts clinical disease, including pathogenesis, and mechanisms important for their control and clearance. Host and parasite determinants that impact disease caused by piroplasms, including Babesia microti, are largely unknown. More effective treatments for babesiosis, particularly in immune suppressed individuals, are needed. Co-infections with Babesia microti and other tick-transmitted infections, such as Lyme disease, continue to increase, yet the impact of co-infection on clinical disease remains unclear. The goal for this Special Issue is to highlight emerging themes broadly related to the pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment of clinical babesiosis and other erythrocytic protozoa in humans.

The papers in this Special Issue will be focused on the following areas.

1. Clinical studies in humans with babesiosis that provide new insights into the pathogenesis, immunology and/or management of disease.
2. Translational studies involving basic science studies of babesiosis likely to provide important insight into human disease
3. Studies that provide important information on the impact of co-infection of Babesia and other tick-transmitted co-infections.
4. Studies of other erythrocytic pathogens that provide important new information that is likely also applicable to erythrocytic pathogens in general including Babesia microti.

Dr. Luis A. Marcos
Dr. Dana G. Mordue
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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