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PLoS Pathogens

Public Library of Science · United States · Est. 1919

ISSN1553-7374

SJR Q1✓ WOS SCIE✓ Scopus / SJR✓ DOAJ✓ Open Access

/ 100

High Trust

Score Breakdown

✓ WoS SCIE/SSCI+25

✓ Scopus Q1+25

✓ DOAJ Verified+15

Total75

Journal Impact Factor

This journal is indexed in Web of Science (JCR) and has an official Journal Impact Factor. View the current value on the journal’s page ↗

SJR Score

1.987

H-Index

313

CiteScore

View ↗

Scopus metric · on the journal’s page

SNIP

1.217

Total Works

12,498

Total Citations

863,585

2yr Mean Citedness

4.45

Free JIF alternative

Retractions

Source: Retraction Watch

Aims & Scope

PLOS Pathogens is an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science. It covers all areas of infectious disease, from basic research to clinical aspects. The journal aims to publish high-impact research that advances our understanding of pathogens and the diseases they cause. Topics include virology, bacteriology, parasitology, mycology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health. The journal also publishes research on host-pathogen interactions, microbial pathogenesis, and the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics.

⚡ Speed vs Prestige

How does this journal balance review speed with impact level?

weeks to review

Slow · median is 15 wks

SJR Rank

Top 25% in field

General Information

Country / RegionUnited States

Primary LanguageEnglish

1st Year Published1919

FrequencyMonthly

StatusActive (last: 2026)

Total Publications12,498

Publisher OrgPublic Library of Science

OA Since2004

Visit Journal Website

Submission Info

Peer ReviewSingle-blind

Review Time~24 weeks

Acceptance Rate—

OA LicenseCC BY

OA Rate—

Ethics & Quality

COPE Member✗ No

OASPA Member✗ No

Not on Predatory Lists✓ Yes

Plagiarism Detection✓ Yes

Think.Check.Submit Compliance

thinkchecksubmit.org

9/12 · 75%

✅

Do you know the journal / publisher?

Public Library of Science

✅

Does the journal have a website?

✓ Linked

✅

Is the ISSN verified?

1553-7374

✅

Indexed in a trusted database?

WoS, Scopus, DOAJ

✅

Peer review process documented?

Single-blind

❌

Follows ethical publishing standards (COPE)?

N/A

❌

APC fees clearly disclosed?

N/A

✅

Not on predatory/blacklists?

✓ Clean

❌

Long-term digital preservation?

N/A

✅

Plagiarism detection in place?

Yes

✅

Listed in DOAJ (verified OA)?

DOAJ verified

✅

Primary language documented?

English

Based on the Think.Check.Submit framework by DOAJ, COPE & OASPA. All data from verified open sources.

Publication & Citation Trend

Articles published

Times cited

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

Source: OpenAlex · Note: citations accumulate over time so older years appear higher

SJR Quartile by Discipline

Scimago ranks this journal separately in each subject category — its quartile can differ by discipline.

GeneticsQ1

ImmunologyQ1

MicrobiologyQ1

Molecular BiologyQ1

ParasitologyQ1

VirologyQ1

Subject Classification

Web of Science Categories

MicrobiologyParasitologyVirology

Scopus Categories

ImmunologyGeneticsVirologyMicrobiologyParasitologyMolecular Biology

Research Topics (OpenAlex)

HIV Research and TreatmentImmune Cell Function and InteractionMosquito-borne diseases and controlCytomegalovirus and herpesvirus researchinterferon and immune responsesViral Infections and VectorsHerpesvirus Infections and TreatmentsViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyPlant Virus Research StudiesImmune Response and Inflammation