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Alice in microbes' land: adaptations and counter-adaptations of vector-borne parasitic protozoa and their hosts
Guy Caljon1, Géraldine De Muylder2, Lies Durnez2
1Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nationalestraat 155, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium University of Antwerp, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Health, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
Abstract:
In the present review, we aim to provide a general introduction to different facets of the arms race between pathogens and their hosts/environment, emphasizing its evolutionary aspects. We focus on vector-borne parasitic protozoa, which have to adapt to both invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Using Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Plasmodium as main models, we review successively (i) the adaptations and counter-adaptations of parasites and their invertebrate host, (ii) the adaptations and counter-adaptations of parasites and their vertebrate host and (iii) the impact of human interventions (chemotherapy, vaccination, vector control and environmental changes) on these adaptations. We conclude by discussing the practical impact this knowledge can have on translational research and public health.
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