Host Parasite Interactions At The Cellular Tissue And Organism Level

Protozoan and helminth parasites infect animals and humans and cause debilitating pathologies that cause a variety of morbidities and deaths worldwide. The ability of parasites to establish infection and cause disease in mammalian hosts is a result of a series of intricate mechanisms evolved by parasitic species to confront and evade the host's defensive responses, along with the ability to use the host’s metabolic and catabolic processes and host cellular organelles to their benefit. For instance, parasites may have predilection sites in the host that are not accessible to immune effector molecules and mechanisms, may acquire host-derived "masking" molecules, can vary their surface molecules, and can produce molecules that block or misguide the host immune responses. The host's interactions with the parasite, on the other hand, are critical for the initiation and induction of host signaling events that are critical in mounting formidable defensive immune responses against the invading parasite. Therefore, the ability of a parasite to successfully establish infection and cause disease largely depends on its interaction with the host and the ability of the host to mount successful and effective resistance. Thus, studying host-parasite interactions and cross-talks is critical for understanding parasite infection and adaptation mechanisms within the host, as well as for developing strategies for effective prevention and control of parasitic infections in humans and animals. The topic will cover a wide spectrum of parasitic protozoa and helminths and provide an opportunity to share new molecular and translational advances in parasitic infections and diseases.