Parasite Antigens Parasite Genes

Enzymes; 8.

This collection of articles, edited by D. Wakelin and D. Walliker include: Genetic variability in parasites and host-parasite interactions; Host genetics and infectious disease; T cell and cytokine basis of host variability in response to intestinal nematode infections; The role of MHC- and non-MHC-associated genes in determining the human immune response to malaria antigens; Influence of host and parasite genotypes on immunological control of Theileria parasites; Genetic susceptibility to leishmanial infections: studies in mice and man; Genetic susceptibility to malaria and other infectious diseases: from MHC to the whole genome. This volume is the specially commissioned supplement to the journal Parasitology, volume 112.

Parasites cause many important diseases in humans and domestic animals, malaria being an example. Parasites have evolved to exploit hosts' bodies whereas hosts have evolved immune systems to control infections. Host-parasite interactions therefore provide fascinating examples of evolutionary 'arms-races' in which the immune system plays a key role. Modern research in immunoparasitology is directed towards understanding and exploiting the capacity to develop effective anti-parasite immunity. By concentrating on selected infections where research has made significant progress, Immunity to Parasites provides a clear account of how host immune responses operate and how parasites can evade immunity. The experimental basis of this research is emphasised throughout. This completely updated second edition includes an expanded section on anti-parasite vaccines. The text is aimed at undergraduates and postgraduates with interests in either parasitology or immunology and provides introductory sections on these topics to lead the reader into the later chapters.

Publisher Description

In the past years, genome projects for numerous human parasites have been completed and now allow first in depth comparisons and evolutionary conclusions. The genomes of parasites reflect the coevolution with their host, metabolic capacities depending on their respective habitat in the host. Gut parasites usually have an anaerobic metabolism, while blood parasites have an aerobic metabolism, intracellular parasites escape the immune system, while extracellular parasites evade the immune system, usually by antigenic variation. Comprehensive genome data now being available allow us to address profound scientific questions, such as which traits enable the parasite to survive in the human host, which to cause disease and which can be used as drug targets. This book intends to give an overview of the state of knowledge on “the molecules” of protozoan parasites – on their genomes, proteomes, glycomes and lipidomes.

A review of current knowledge of nematode parasites which cause widespread mortality and disability in both man and animal, resulting in major economic and clinical implications and of the molecular techniques which are now being used to understand immunological mechanisms.