The incidence of life-threatening infections by intracellular eukaryotic pathogens has risen sharply as a result of modern medical care that may diminish immunity in patients and of immunosuppressive diseases. Thus, the clarification of these pathogens’ virulence attributes and host immune defense mechanisms is imperative.

Host-pathogen interactions are complex, dynamic, and multifactorial processes. In order to survive and proliferate within the host, eukaryotic pathogens must be able to sense different host microenvironment signals and regulate transcription and translation reprogramming, associated with metabolic adaptation, alterations in cellular morphology, and adjustments and remodeling of their surface envelope (cell wall/plasmatic membrane), among other processes. On the other hand, effective host responses require the ability of the host to recognize and respond to the pathogen employing several mechanisms to eradicate and/or control the pathogen through the activation of an efficient immune response.

In this special issue we invite scientists to contribute original research reporting novel and significant findings as well as review articles that will offer insights into host-pathogen interactions.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Phenotypic switching and its importance for virulence within the host
• Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of host-pathogen interactions
• Virulence attributes regulating antimicrobial resistance
• Intracellular pathogen subversion of innate immune recognition