Host cells are the living cells in which a virus or intracellular pathogen attaches, enters, and replicates, supplying the biosynthetic machinery the agent itself lacks. Viral infection proceeds through recognition of specific surface receptors, membrane fusion or endocytosis, hijacking of host transcription and tra…
Host cells are the living cells in which a virus or intracellular pathogen attaches, enters, and replicates, supplying the biosynthetic machinery the agent itself lacks. Viral infection proceeds through recognition of specific surface receptors, membrane fusion or endocytosis, hijacking of host transcription and translation, assembly, and release, with the spike glycoprotein of coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2 mediating receptor engagement and tropism. The outcome of infection is shaped by host-cell signalling, innate immune sensing, and the production of reactive intermediates, as well as by adaptive immunity. Beyond viruses, the concept extends to intracellular bacteria, protozoa such as Plasmodium, and fungi, and to invertebrate haemocytes that defend snail hosts against parasites. Understanding host-cell interactions underpins antiviral and immunomodulatory strategy, vaccine antigen design, and the interpretation of post-infectious complications. Work relevant to this area spans the molecular characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, cell-based and supplementary approaches to COVID-19, regulation of reactive oxygen intermediates during malaria infection, virus-induced carcinogenesis involving human papillomavirus, and opportunistic fungal disease following infection. The International Journal of Infection Prevention publishes peer-reviewed research on pathogen–host-cell interactions and their relevance to infection control and prevention.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 84 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Host Cells, linking to each citing work.