January 26, 2026
03/13/2026
Pearls
Leishmaniases have traditionally been defined by a stable triad: transmission by phlebotomine sand flies, geographically restricted parasite species, and well-established, typically zoonotic reservoirs.
Image credit: Volf & Sadlova
Current Issue January 2026
03/11/2026
research article
Mastitis, a major dairy industry challenge, is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Previous research linked gut microbiota disruption—induced by vancomycin in mice—to reduced microbial glutamine and increased mastitis susceptibility. This study hypothesizes that oral glutamine may regulate macrophage function and mitigate S. aureus mastitis.
Image credit: Suvrajit
02/05/2026
Pearls
Plants encounter a myriad of microorganisms that can invade with detrimental or beneficial outcomes. Taking a membrane-centric point of view, the authors discuss the cellular events underlying microbe-induced cell signaling, the navigation of microbes within plant tissues, and the molecular exchanges occurring at plant–microbe interfaces.
Image credit: Jolivet et al
01/07/2026
research article
Human-to-human influenza virus transmission under controlled conditions could provide insights leading to better control of epidemics and pandemics. However, a previous study using laboratory adapted viruses produced minimal transmission.
Image credit: NIAID
01/20/2026
research article
During herpes simplex virus type 1 infection, the nuclear structures undergo drastic reorganization, but little is known about how nuclear mechanobiology changes as a result. We show that the nucleus softens dramatically during the infection. To understand the phenomenon, the authors used advanced microscopy and computational modeling, discovering that the enlarged viral replication compartment had a low biomolecular density.
Image credit: Tervonen et al
01/20/2026
research article
The authors wanted to understand why P. aeruginosa becomes so aggressive in burn wounds. Their research shows that burn injuries release oleic acid, a fatty acid normally stored in tissues, which the bacteria senses.
Image credit: Milad Fakurian
10/27/2025
pearls
This article reviews how Orthoflaviviruses such as dengue, Zika and West Nile infect mosquito midguts, focusing on early molecular events that shape vector competence.
Image credit: ppat.1013617
11/11/2025
research article
This study shows that dengue virus NS1, whether recombinant or secreted from infected cells, does not activate TLR4 and has only a modest effect on endothelial monolayer integrity.
Image credit: ppat.1013695
10/23/2025
research article
Here, the authors show that all nine Cryptosporidium oocyst wall proteins (COWPs) are true wall components, with COWPs 2-4 marking the suture where...
Image credit: ppat.1013561
10/23/2025
research article
The authors identify Beauveria bassiana polymycovirus 4-2 (BbPmV4-2), which boosts spore production, stress...
Image credit: ppat.1013634
Brittany Seibert, C. Joaquín Cáceres, and colleagues
Qi-Yue Yang, Yong-Le Yang, and colleagues
Frideborg Bradley and colleagues
Jodie A. Schiffer & Stephanie V. Stumbur and colleagues
B. Karina Montero and colleagues
We are pleased to announce that Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh joined us as second Editor-in-Chief at the beginning of 2025. With this addition, we are thrilled to once again have a dynamic dual leadership team guiding the journal.
We're excited about our revised and synchronized Editorial Board webpage—now enhanced with a brand-new search functionality!
Easily find and explore board members with our improved layout and seamless navigation.
We've been thrilled to welcome:
Helena Boshoff, Thomas Guillard, Thomas Hoenen, Francis Jiggins, Robert Kalejta, Tracey Lamb, Edward Mitre, and Alice Prince!
PLOS will always anchor our decisions in our values and our principles. And we will continue to speak up vocally for open, independent science.
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