• Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Local Transmission Patterns of Mycobacterium bovis in Sympatric Cattle and Badger Populations
• Role of Transmitted Gag CTL Polymorphisms in Defining Replicative Capacity and Early HIV-1 Pathogenesis
• HCMV-Infected Cells Maintain Efficient Nucleotide Excision Repair of the Viral Genome while Abrogating Repair of the Host Genome
• Relatively Low Level of Antigen-specific Monocytes Detected in Blood from Untreated Tuberculosis Patients Using CD4⁺ T-cell Receptor Tetramers
• Species-Specific Inhibition of RIG-I Ubiquitination and IFN Induction by the Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein
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Epigenetics of Host–Pathogen Interactions: The Road Ahead and the Road Behind

The field of evolutionary epigenetics is flourishing yet the role of epigenetics in shaping host–pathogen interactions has received comparatively little attention. Gómez-Díaz et al. review the evidence available for the role of epigenetics on host-pathogen interactions, and the utility of available epigenetic technologies that can be cross-applied to host-pathogen studies.

Pneumocystis: Where Does It Live?

Pneumocystis is an unusual fungus that is a prototypical opportunistic pathogen, causing an asymptomatic or mild infection in the normal host but fulminate pneumonia (PcP) in the immunocompromised host. Gigliotti and Wright review evidence suggesting that the reservoir of infection for humans with PcP is other humans, possibly infants and young children.

Browse the full collection of Pearls

HCMV-Infected Cells Maintain Efficient Nucleotide Excision Repair of the Viral Genome while Abrogating Repair of the Host Genome

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading cause of birth defects, possibly due in part to its ability to influence specific damage to host DNA, along with an infected cell's compromised ability to repair damage. O'Dowd et al.'s results indicate the differential association of certain cellular repair proteins with the virus may have vast implications in the pathogenesis of HCMV infection.

Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Local Transmission Patterns of Mycobacterium bovis in Sympatric Cattle and Badger Populations

Whole genome sequencing may be useful for studying transmission dynamics of an epidemic involving a mostly unsampled 'reservoir' host, as for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in British and Irish cattle and badgers. Biek et al. provide the first direct genetic evidence of Mycobacterium bovis persistence on farms with a continued, ongoing interaction with badgers.

IL-1β Signaling Promotes CNS-Intrinsic Immune Control of West Nile Virus Infection

Processes that promote inflammation and encephalitis within the CNS are important for control of West Nile Virus (WNV), but it is not entirely clear how inflammatory signaling pathways operate to control CNS infection. Ramos et al. define the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and IL-1β signaling as key for controlling WNV infection and immunity in the CNS.

PLOS Medicine

• G6PD Deficiency Prevalence and Estimates of Affected Populations in Malaria Endemic Countries: A Geostatistical Model-Based Map

PLOS ONE

• Helicobacter pylori Colonization Ameliorates Glucose Homeostasis in Mice through a PPAR γ-Dependent Mechanism