Advances in parasite immunology and host-pathogen interactions

Parasitic diseases, particularly those classified as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and lymphatic filariasis (LF), remain significant global health burdens across endemic regions in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Despite considerable success in control programs, many regions are transitioning into a “post-elimination” phase where asymptomatic infections, low-level transmission, and hidden reservoirs challenge sustained elimination. Recent research has illuminated the complex immune networks that govern parasite persistence, with mechanisms such as macrophage polarization, regulatory T-cell expansion, altered IL-10/IFN-γ signalling, and modulation of innate receptors including TLRs and NLRs. These discoveries have deepened understanding of host-pathogen crosstalk but have also highlighted persistent gaps in linking mechanistic insights with translational and field-ready outcomes. Efforts are now increasingly focused on translating immune mechanisms into diagnostics, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies that can support local health surveillance systems and maintain elimination gains in endemic communities.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of host-parasite immunology by integrating cellular, molecular, and translational studies that define the immunological threshold between protection and disease. It encourages investigations that explore how immune pathways — including Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory networks — balance resistance and tolerance during infection. The topic further seeks to address how cytokine dynamics, particularly IL-10 and IFN-γ interplay, shape persistent infection outcomes and how co-infections such as VL-HIV or LF-tuberculosis reshape immune equilibrium. By embracing a multidisciplinary perspective, the Research Topic intends to bridge fundamental immunology with applied diagnostics and intervention strategies, fostering insight into immunomodulatory therapies, vaccines, and point-of-care tools that are critical for NTD management.The Research Topic focuses on parasitic infections and their immunological interactions, excluding non-parasitic infectious agents except where relevant to co-infections or comparative insights.To gather further insights into host-pathogen immunology in parasitic diseases, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Molecular and cellular mechanisms of immune evasion and chronic infection in VL, LF, leprosy, and related NTDs-Transcriptomic, epigenomic, and single-cell immune profiling in parasitic infections-Innate immune signalling and macrophage plasticity during parasite persistence-Vaccine development, host-directed immunotherapies, and mechanisms of anti-parasitic drug resistance reversibility-Development and validation of serological and molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and surveillance in post-elimination settings-Immunomodulatory effects of co-infections and their impact on disease outcome and biomarker interpretation-Integration of immunological data into public health strategies and surveillance frameworksWe welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Methods, Brief Research Reports, and Perspectives. The topic editors declare no conflict of interest Topic editors: Abhishek kumar Singh, Siddharth Sankar Singh, Jaya Tapadar Nee Chakravarty Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82511/advances-in-parasite-immunology-and-host-pathogen-interactions