PLOS Pathogens

pISSN: 1553-7366eISSN: 1553-7374• JCR: PLOS PATHOGPublic Library of ScienceUnited States
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2026 Impact Factor

4.9

Released June 2026 · Based on 2025 citation data

No change vs last year

Verified quick facts

2026 impact factor for PLOS Pathogens: 4.9

PLOS Pathogens's newest impact factor is 4.9, released June 17, 2026 and based on 2025 citation data. This verified record also shows JCR quartile, ISSN, publisher, and verification links for exact-title searches.

JCR Quartile
Q1
ISSN
1553-7366
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Field Context
Medicine
CAS Block
B1

Impact Factor History

  1. Metric year 2025

    Released

    4.9
  2. Metric year 2024

    4.9

JCR Category Rankings

Journal Citation Reports category rankings
CategoryIndexesQuartile
MICROBIOLOGYSCIEQ2
PARASITOLOGYSCIEQ1
VIROLOGYSCIEQ1

Frequently asked questions

What is PLOS Pathogens's newest impact factor?

PLOS Pathogens's newest impact factor is 4.9, released June 17, 2026 and based on 2025 citation data.

What is the JCR quartile for PLOS Pathogens?

PLOS Pathogens is listed as JCR Q1. Use the quartile together with the newest impact factor, ISSN, and field context.

How should I verify the PLOS Pathogens record?

First match the exact journal title and ISSN 1553-7366. Then confirm the publisher record from Public Library of Science. For high-stakes decisions, cross-check the journal in Clarivate Master Journal List or Journal Citation Reports if you have access.

Should I choose PLOS Pathogens based only on impact factor?

No. Use impact factor as one signal, then compare scope, recent article volume, open-access status, publication costs, field fit, and similar journals before deciding where to submit.

Ranking position in Medicine

Ranked #909 in Medicine by impact factor and #875 among Q1 Medicine journals. This context helps compare PLOS Pathogens against journals publishing in the same field.

#909
of 6,225 field journals

PLOS Pathogens publication trend

Published 2,990 papers across the last 5 recorded years.

2026 vs 2025: -554
How Journal Metrics uses article volume

Considering submitting to PLOS Pathogens?

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Journal Details

Total Articles
12,473
H-Index
313
Open Access
Yes
APC
$2,655 USD
Subject Areas
VirologyImmunologyPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthEpidemiology

Article Volume

2022
656
2023
656
2024
702
2025
765
2026
211
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