Cell Host & Microbe, published by Cell Press (Elsevier), holds an official Journal Impact Factor (JIF) of 14.8 in Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports (JCR). It consistently ranks in the Q1 tier across both Microbiology and Immunology, positioning it as the premier specialized venue for host-pathogen interactions and microbiome biology.
Citation Profile and Multi-Year Trajectory
Unlike broad multidisciplinary journals where citations can vary widely by subfield, Cell Host & Microbe demonstrates focused citation density. Its 5-Year Impact Factor reliably exceeds 20.0, with a cited half-life of 6.6 years. This confirms that mechanistic insights into infection biology and microbial pathogenesis published in the journal sustain active citation uptake well beyond the initial 2-year window.
Acceptance Rates, Editorial Triage, and Turnaround
Cell Host & Microbe enforces high editorial selectivity, with an estimated overall acceptance rate of approximately 10% to 12%. The primary barrier to acceptance is editorial desk triage: an estimated 60% to 70% of submissions are rejected without external review.
- Time to First Decision: Typically 3 to 5 weeks (30–45 days) for initial editorial triage or peer-review return.
- Scope Prerequisite: The journal strictly requires that submissions investigate both sides of the interface. Studies focusing solely on microbial biology without host context, or host immunology without pathogen interactions, are frequently desk-rejected.
Compare Cell Host & Microbe directly against Nature Microbiology, Immunity, and mBio in our Journal Comparison Tool to analyze turnaround times, review models, and open access APC policies side by side.