The intricate dance: host autophagy and infection.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by , an obligatory intracellular bacterial pathogen. Like other intracellular pathogens, is able to survive and reproduce within host cells by manipulating host cellular processes. In particular, the relationship between infection and host autophagy, a cellular process involved in degradation and recycling, is of great interest due to its intricate nature. Studies have shown that autophagy can recognize and target intracellular pathogens such as and for degradation, limiting their replication and promoting bacterial clearance. However, can actively manipulate the autophagic pathway to create an intracellular niche, known as the -containing vacuole (CCV), where it can multiply and evade host immune responses. promotes the fusion of CCVs with lysosomes through mechanisms involving virulence factors such as Cig57 and CvpF. This review summarizes the latest findings on the dynamic interaction between host autophagy and infection, highlighting the complex strategies employed by both the bacterium and the host. A better understanding of these mechanisms could provide important insights into the development of novel therapeutic interventions and vaccine strategies against infections.