The current obesity pandemic has been expanding in both developing and developed countries. This suggests that the factors contributing to this condition need to be reconsidered since some new factors are arising as etiological causes of this disease. Moreover, recent clinical and experimental findings have shown an association between the progress of obesity and some infections, and the functions of adipose tissues, which involve cell metabolism and adipokine release, among others. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that adipocytes could either be reservoirs for these pathogens or play an active role in this process. In addition, there is abundant evidence indicating that during obesity, the immune system is exacerbated, suggesting an increased susceptibility of the patient to the development of several forms of illness or death. Thus, there could be a relationship between infection as a trigger for an increase in adipose cells and the impact on the metabolism that contributes to the development of obesity. In this review, we describe the findings concerning the role of adipose tissue as a mediator in the immune response as well as the possible role of adipocytes as infection targets, with both roles constituting a possible cause of obesity.

Secreted viral proteins are crucial in virus–host interactions, as they modify the host microenvironment to promote infection. These secreted proteins could alter immune and inflammatory responses, allowing viruses to evade defense mechanisms such as cytotoxic T cell activation and antibody neutralization. Some secreted proteins mimic host molecules to suppress antiviral responses, making them valuable targets for antivirals and diagnostics. Notable examples include BARF1 from Epstein–Barr virus, associated with gastric cancer; vIL-10 from Epstein–Barr virus, which regulates immune responses and contributes to autoimmune diseases; NS1 from dengue virus, associated with vascular permeability and early diagnosis; and NSP4 from rotavirus as an enterotoxin, among others. The study of these proteins improves our understanding of viral pathogenesis and helps to develop innovative treatments for infectious and non-infectious diseases, taking advantage of the evolutionary adaptations of viruses. This review explores their impact on the infection cycle, disease progression, and key processes, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell signaling. Research on these proteins deepens our basic knowledge of virology and generates alternative methods for detecting biomarkers and creating more effective therapies, as well as implementing some emerging technologies, such as biosensors and plasmon resonance, for the diagnosis of viral diseases.

This chapter examines the interaction between dengue virus infection and mucosal involvement. It describes the innate and adaptive immune responses that occur on these surfaces, including the role of epithelial barriers, immune cells, cytokines, and antibody-mediated immunity. Additionally, it reviews the main signaling pathways activated during dengue infection, including their contribution to both the control of viral replication and inflammatory and pathogenic processes. Particular attention is given to the mechanisms through which the immune response can control viral infection, while an excessive or dysregulated response may contibute to tissue damage and disease porgession. Findings from in vitro studies are presented, and clinical cases are analyzed, reporting the clinical manifestations observed in the oral, nasal, conjunctival, and genital mucosa, with special emphasis on identifying warning signs in patients with dengue infection. These manifestations are discussed in relation to the systemic effects of dengue and their potential clinical relevance. Furthermore, a comparison is made with other infections caused by arboviruses, such as Zika and Chikungunya viruses, to identify similarities and differences in mucosal involvement and facilitate differential diagnosis. This comparison also provides a broader understanding of the clinical manifestations associated with arboviral infections and their importance in patient evaluation.Finally, potential therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the immune response and mitigating disease progression are discussed. This chapter emphasizes continued research into pharmacological treatments and therapeutic strategies to reduce inflammation, control viral replication, and prevent tissue damage, while recognizing dengue is mucosal effects and clinical features to enable early diagnosis and timely tretament.

Aedes aegypti has an effective vector capacity for the transmission of dengue and Zika viruses in humans as well as in primates; due to its intradomiciliary and hematophagous behavior with multiple human hosts, it increases the probability of acquiring and maintaining both viruses in nature, benefiting their dissemination, in addition to facilitating vertical transmission to the offspring, this becomes relevant due to its marked preference for human blood, essential for the development of its eggs, since during each oviposition, it lays an average of between 100 and 150 eggs, which could affect the population density of probably infected mosquitoes, increasing the risk of transmission to humans, situations that favor both a persistent circulation of these viruses, as well as a wide geographical distribution. Therefore, it is important to update knowledge about the vector characteristics that can favor the transmission of these two pathogens, highlighting the need to further develop integrated vector control strategies, addressing them with an ecological approach, with the aim of preventing the vector from contacting its host as quickly as possible, without affecting human health or the environment. In this regard, the importance of current research on plant extracts and essential oils that can provide protection against mosquito bites is highlighted. These can offer a sustainable and natural alternative to synthetic pesticides, as they not only combat mosquitoes at their different stages of development but can also help minimize environmental damage, having the potential to be used as an ecological approach to Ae. aegypti control.