Helminth regulation of host immune responses

[摘要] Introduction: the last two decades have witnessed a swift accumulation of knowledge about the immunology of helminthiases. The information now available allows to better understand human defense mechanisms against helminth infection. Another area of knowledge about the immunology of helminthiases which has also benefited from such recent expansion of knowledge is the regulation of host immune responses by the parasite, with its great variety of clinical and epidemiological implications.Objectives: review publications about the evidence, mechanisms and consequences of the regulation of host immune responses by helminths.Methods: using various search engines, a review was conducted of papers about helminths, helminthiasis and regulation of host immune responses published from 1995 to 2015. Several monographs and original papers dated before that period were also consulted.Results: the information gathered about the topics selected is presented, analyzed and whenever possible systematized.Conclusions: epidemiological, clinical and experimental data show that helminths can modulate the immune responses of their hosts and thus survive within them. Additionally, modulation of host immune responses has important clinical and epidemiological consequences which should be known by professionals related to the diagnosis, treatment and control of these parasitic diseases in order to improve the quality of medical practice.

[学科分类] 传染病学

[关键词] Helminthiasis;helminths;immune regulation;coinfection;allergy;autoimmunity