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Concomitant infections, parasites and immune responses
1Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. f.cox@lshtm.ac.uk
Parasitology
|July 10, 2001
Summary
Parasitic co-infections alter disease severity by modulating the host immune system. Understanding these complex interactions, particularly parasite-induced immunodepression and cytokine networks, is crucial for disease management and vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Concomitant infections involving parasites are prevalent in nature.
- Mixed infections can lead to increased or decreased burdens of infectious agents.
- Parasite interactions with the immune system, especially immunomodulation, are key to understanding these dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe various parasite-host and parasite-parasite interactions in mixed infections.
- To explain these interactions through the lens of immune system modulation by parasites.
- To discuss the implications for clinical disease and vaccine strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of known examples of concomitant parasitic infections.
- Analysis of parasite effects on immune responses, including immunodepression.
- Examination of the role of cytokines in immune polarization (Th1/Th2) and parasite modulation.
Main Results:
- Parasites significantly impact the host immune system, often inducing immunodepression.
- Cytokines play a critical role in directing immune responses and are influenced by parasitic infections.
- Parasites can be directly or indirectly affected by immune molecules and can also produce factors influencing immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Parasite interactions profoundly affect the immune response and cytokine networks.
- Understanding these complex interactions is vital for explaining clinical disease outcomes.
- Knowledge of these interactions is essential for the effective development and application of vaccines.
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