[Free radicals in parasitic invasion]

Highly reactive oxygen species potentially represent a powerful effector mechanism against parasites. They are produced during normal cellular metabolism, especially by activated phagocytes. As can be seen from many studies protozoan and helminth parasites appear to have one or more anti-oxidant enzymes able to scavenge or quench the reactive free-radicals, and there is strong evidence that such enzymes may play crucial role in protecting against host response. Presented there review illustrates that methods to block anti-oxidant protection of parasites may be new field in the search for improved ways to inhibit parasitic survival.