Host–Pathogen Interactions and Innate Immune Evasion: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Implications

This chapter provides a detailed review of the molecular strategies employed by bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens to evade, subvert, or exploit the host innate immune system, with emphasis on pattern recognition receptor signalling, inflammasome activation, autophagy, and type I interferon responses. It examines pathogen-encoded virulence factors and immune evasion mechanisms — including immune checkpoint manipulation, cytokine interference, and intracellular survival strategies — across a range of clinically relevant organisms. The chapter translates these molecular insights into a discussion of immunomodulatory and host-directed therapeutic approaches as adjuncts to conventional antimicrobial therapy.