s Editorial [Hot topic: Infectious Disorders and Pathogens: Approaches from Diagnosis and Detection to Therapy and Sterilization (Guest Editor: Akikazu Sakudo)]

Recently, several methods for infectious disorders have been developed. These include diagnostic methods on the basis of enhanced detection of pathogens, and therapy on the basis of effectively preventing infection or the proliferation of pathogens. Vaccination strategies for pathogens also contribute to reducing the incidence of infection. Accumulated knowledge on pathogens and disease-specific proteins such as receptors would provide useful information for exploring strategies for the treatment of infectious diseases. To discuss this special topic, scientists using various approaches to study the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of infectious diseases were invited. I am glad to have the honor to organize a Hot Topic issue for Current Chemical Biology and to experience working with eminent scientists to review research on infectious diseases. This issue includes articles on the following topics: candidate for anti-HIV-1 drugs written by Prof. Yoko Aida and Dr. Guangai Xue, recent studies on serological diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis written by Drs. Yasuyuki Goto and Steven G. Reed, prospects of vaccines for Helicobacter-associated gastritis written by Yasuhisa Ano and colleagues, recent development on PMCA written by Dr. Natalia Fernandez-Borges and Prof. Joaquin Castilla, and influenza virus pathogenesis and their therapy written by Dr. Tomo Daidoji and colleagues. Hopefully, readers will enjoy this issue, obtain useful information for their own research, and be inspired with new ideas for future research on infectious diseases.