Bibliometric analysis of flavivirus-host interactions and immune responses: Research hotspots and trends

• Bibliometric analysis was conducted to track flavivirus-host research progress from 2000 to 2024. • China ranked second among the top 20 countries in research article output, following the United States. • Climate change, Dengue virus, and Zika virus are hotspot keywords, with West Nile virus exhibiting the strongest citation burst. Flaviviruses are zoonotic pathogens transmitted by infected mosquitoes and ticks, posing a persistent threat to global health. These infections lead to a diverse spectrum of diseases, broadly classified into two phenotypes: systemic hemorrhagic conditions, such as dengue and yellow fever, and neurological complications, exemplified by West Nile virus (WNV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infections. The interactions between flaviviruses and human host cells are pivotal to the viral lifecycle and the activation of host immunity. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of flavivirus-host interactions is essential for understanding viral pathogenesis, managing epidemics, optimizing therapeutic strategies, and enhancing public health security. Flaviviruses utilize various strategies to evade the host immune system, and understanding these mechanisms is critical for the development of antiviral therapeutics. This study employs bibliometric methods, leveraging CiteSpace and VOSviewer software, to analyze literature on flavivirus-host interactions and the associated immune responses. By examining developmental trends and pivotal research areas, this analysis provides insights and guidance for future studies in this field.