Immunity and immunoregulation in helminth infections

Parasitic helminths continue to be a major cause of morbidity in human populations, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. The need for effective vaccines that minimize worm burdens, thus reducing associated pathology, is evident. With this goal in mind, an intense research effort is in progress to characterize immune responses to helminths, especially in the context of recent developments in our understanding of the cytokine network. The growing realization that the parasites can themselves subvert host immune responses to their own advantage makes the task of vaccine development that much harder.