Virulence

We are pleased to start the year 2010 with the launch of Virulence, an international peer-reviewed journal that focuses on microbial pathogenicity, the infection process and host-pathogen interactions. We believe that starting this new journal is both timely and important. There is a clear need for interdisciplinary research and a publication that brings together scientists and clinical researchers that work on the “pathogen,” the “host” or the “antimicrobial agents.”

While other journals on infection and host-pathogen interactions focus either on basic or clinical research, Virulence strives to unite these two themes. Clinicians and researchers have a lot to learn from each other. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the infection process can help clinicians and clinical researchers rationalize their approach, while recognizing the clinical priorities can greatly help basic researchers focus on the infectious processes that cause the highest human suffering. We hope to see the clinical implications of basic research presented along with studies on the molecular mechanisms of the host-pathogen interaction.

For us the term “virulence” (discussed in this issue, “On Virulence” by Arturo Casadevall and Liiese-Anne Pirofski) is defined broadly because for most pathogens there appears to be a “core” box of virulence traits that can help the pathogen survive different stressors. Our goal is to provide a forum for every fascinating aspect of the fight between a “host” and a “pathogen.” Besides basic research on various aspects of virulence, we are interested in clinical trials evaluating all aspects of the infection process, diagnosis of infectious diseases as well as vaccine development and evaluation. This novel approach will allow us to bring together clinicians and researchers, which is essential to address the new infectious challenges such as emerging infectious agents and antimicrobial resistance. The broad scope of Virulence sets it apart from other publications in this field and it is this difference that has the potential to make Virulence a very successful journal.

We intend to focus on original research, which is only possible with your assistance. We invite you to send us your original manuscripts on basic, translational and clinical research. From our point we understand the need for timely and prompt feedback. We are going to provide you with a timely evaluation of your manuscript. We deeply respect the sacrifice and share the excitement that is reflected in every single paper. Authors should expect the first feedback within days.

Naturally we are interested in research on pathogenic agents (including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites) and their virulence factors involved in pathogenic processes such as adhesion, colonization and invasion. Both the identification of novel virulence factors and the characterization of the molecular and biological function of known virulence factors will be published. Further, we are going to cover model hosts and pathogen-pathogen interactions that shape microbial virulence during the infection process. Functions of immune response inhibitors, toxins and other virulence factors in different hosts, ranging from animals to plants, will be discussed. Virulence will also include solicited content and Original Research Papers will be complemented by timely Reviews, Commentaries and Addenda that provide context for the work presented in Virulence and for key results published elsewhere. We are well aware that any journal is only as good as its authors and we will continuously work to improve the perception and acceptance of Virulence by the research community.

Fortunately we will be supported in this endeavor by an extraordinary Editorial and Advisory Board, consisting of more than sixty internationally recognized experts. The Board includes scientists, clinical researchers and physicians from all over the world who, like us, believe that there is indeed a need for a new publication that fosters communication and allows rapid exchange of information in the field of Virulence.

We are much looking forward to the challenge of launching this new journal and introducing it to the community!