Host-Microbe Biology
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyUnraveling the Impact of Secreted Proteases on Hypervirulence in Staphylococcus aureusA key feature of the pathogenic success of S. aureus is the myriad virulence factors encoded within its genome. These are subject to multifactorial control, ensuring their timely production only within an intended infectious niche.
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyPhospholipid Metabolism Is Associated with Time to HIV Rebound upon Treatment InterruptionThe likelihood of HIV rebound after stopping antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of the size of HIV reservoirs that persist despite ART and the host immunological and inflammatory factors that control these reservoirs. Therefore, there is a need to comprehensively understand these host factors to develop a strategy to cure HIV infection and prevent viral rebound post-ART.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyReal-Time Imaging of Polioviral RNA Translocation across a MembraneThe initial transfer of genomic material from a virus into a host cell is a key step in any viral infection. Consequently, understanding how viruses deliver their genomes into cells could reveal attractive therapeutic targets.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDiscovery of Bacterial Fimbria–Glycan Interactions Using Whole-Cell Recombinant Escherichia coli ExpressionUnderstanding the tropism of pathogens for host and tissue requires a complete understanding of the host receptors targeted by fimbrial adhesins. Furthermore, blocking adhesion is a promising strategy to counter increasing antibiotic resistance and is enabled by the identification of host receptors.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyType I Interferon Signaling Is a Common Factor Driving Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus Shedding and TransmissionRespiratory tract infections are a leading cause of childhood mortality and, globally, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of mortality due to pneumonia. Transmission of S. pneumoniae primarily occurs through direct contact with respiratory secretions, although the host and bacterial...
Perspective | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Balance of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Nuclease Degradation: an Unknown Role of Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19 Patients?Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is leading to public health crises worldwide. An understanding of the pathogenesis and the development of treatment strategies is of high interest. Recently, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been identified as a potential driver of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans. NETs are extracellular DNA fibers released by neutrophils after contact with various stimuli and...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification and Molecular Dissection of IMC32, a Conserved Toxoplasma Inner Membrane Complex Protein That Is Essential for Parasite ReplicationThe IMC is an important organelle that apicomplexan parasites use to maintain their intracellular lifestyle. While many IMC proteins have been identified, only a few central players that are essential for internal budding have been described and even fewer are conserved across the phylum.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Glycoprotein Mutation That Emerged during the 2013–2016 Ebola Virus Epidemic Alters Proteolysis and Accelerates Membrane FusionThe 2013–2016 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa demonstrated the potential for previously localized outbreaks to turn into regional, or even global, health emergencies. With over 28,000 cases and 11,000 confirmed deaths, this outbreak was over 50 times as large as any previously recorded.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyMolecular Signatures of Inflammatory Profile and B-Cell Function in Patients with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia SyndromeSFTSV is an emerging virus discovered in China in 2009; it has since spread to other countries in East Asia. Although the fatality rates of SFTSV infection range from 5.3% to as high as 27%, the mechanisms underlying clinical manifestations are largely unknown.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHigh-Resolution Differentiation of Enteric Bacteria in Premature Infant Fecal Microbiomes Using a Novel rRNA AmpliconAchieving strain-level resolution is a major obstacle for source tracking and temporal studies of microbiomes. In this study, we describe a novel deep-sequencing approach that provides species- and strain-level resolution of the neonatal microbiome.