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Chronic bystander infections and immunity to unrelated antigens

Erietta Stelekati1, E John Wherry

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|October 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Chronic infections impact immunity to unrelated pathogens and vaccines. Understanding these effects can improve vaccine efficacy and infectious disease control.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Chronic infections affect over a third of the global population.
  • Persistent pathogens like helminths, mycobacteria, Plasmodium, and hepatitis viruses are prevalent.
  • Chronic infections are linked to increased susceptibility to other pathogens and reduced vaccine effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how prevalent chronic infections modulate immunity to unrelated antigens.
  • To discuss potential mechanisms underlying these immune modulations.
  • To highlight the impact on vaccine efficacy and infectious disease control.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and evidence synthesis.
  • Discussion of immunological mechanisms.
  • Analysis of effects on host immune responses.

Main Results:

  • Chronic infections impact multiple stages of host immune responses.
  • Effects include altered pathogen recognition, innate immunity, adaptive responses, and memory.
  • Bystander infections can influence susceptibility and vaccine responses.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic infections significantly alter host immunity to unrelated challenges.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for enhancing vaccine efficacy.
  • This knowledge can lead to better strategies for controlling infectious diseases.

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