Host-Microbe Biology
- Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologyCoronaviruses Associated with the Superfamily Musteloidea
Among the animal superfamily Musteloidea, which includes those commonly known as mustelids, naturally occurring and species-specific alphacoronavirus infections have been observed in both mink (Mustela vison/Neovison vison) and domestic ferrets (...
- Observation | Host-Microbe BiologySterilization by Adaptive Immunity of a Conditionally Persistent Mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
The bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can enter into a persistent state in which M. tuberculosis can evade host immunity, thereby reducing the effectiveness of current tuberculosis vaccines. Understanding the factors that contribute to persistence would enable the rational design of...
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologySalmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Exploits Cycling through Epithelial Cells To Colonize Human and Murine Enteroids
Pathogenic gut bacteria are common causes of intestinal disease. Enteroids—cultured three-dimensional replicas of the mammalian gut—offer an emerging model system to study disease mechanisms under conditions that recapitulate key features of the intestinal tract.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyMechanistic Analysis of the Broad Antiretroviral Resistance Conferred by HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein Mutations
Although combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is highly effective in controlling the progression of HIV disease, drug resistance can be a major obstacle. Recent findings suggest that resistance can develop without ARV target gene mutations.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDirect Intracellular Visualization of Ebola Virus-Receptor Interaction by In Situ Proximity Ligation
Ebola virus causes episodic but increasingly frequent outbreaks of severe disease in Middle Africa, as shown by the recently overcome second largest outbreak on record in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite considerable effort, FDA-approved antifiloviral therapeutics or targeted interventions are not available yet.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAtypical Ebola Virus Disease in a Nonhuman Primate following Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Is Associated with Glycoprotein Mutations within the Fusion Loop...
Ebola virus remains a global threat to public health and biosecurity, yet we still know relatively little about its pathogenesis and the complications that arise following recovery. With nearly 20,000 survivors from the 2013–2016 West African outbreak, as well as over 1,000 survivors of the recent outbreak in the DRC, we must consider the consequences of virus persistence and recrudescent disease, even if they are rare.
- Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyExperimental Human Challenge Defines Distinct Pneumococcal Kinetic Profiles and Mucosal Responses between Colonized and Non-Colonized Adults
Occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections requires prior colonization of the upper respiratory tract with a pathogen. Most bacterial infection and colonization studies have been performed in murine and in vitro models due to the current invasive sampling methodology of the upper respiratory tract, both of which poorly reflect the complexity of host-pathogen interactions in the human nose.
- Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologyPreserve a Voucher Specimen! The Critical Need for Integrating Natural History Collections in Infectious Disease Studies
Despite being nearly 10 months into the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the definitive animal host for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causal agent of COVID-19, remains unknown. Unfortunately, similar problems exist for other betacoronaviruses, and no vouchered specimens exist to corroborate host species identification for most of these pathogens.
- Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologySame Game, Different Players: Emerging Pathogens of the CF Lung
Incidences of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) and Aspergillus fumigatus have increased around the world over the past decade and have become a significant health threat to immunocompromised individuals such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is characterized by the buildup of mucus in the lungs which become chronically infected by a myriad of pathogens.
... - Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyBiogeography of the Relationship between the Child Gut Microbiome and Innate Immune System
Both the gut microbiome and innate immunity are known to differ across biogeographically diverse human populations. The gut microbiome has been shown to directly influence systemic immunity in animal models.