Worms: Pernicious parasites or allies against allergies?. (29th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McSorley, Henry J.; Chayé, Mathilde A. M.; Smits, Hermelijn H.
• Other Names: Cooper Philip J guestEditor.; Amoah Abena guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Parasite immunology. Volume 41:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-08-29
• Subjects: Veterinary parasitology -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1111/pim.12574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9838

Abstract

Summary: Type 2 immune responses are most commonly associated with allergy and helminth parasite infections. Since the discovery of Th1 and Th2 immune responses more than 30 years ago, models of both allergic disease and helminth infections have been useful in characterizing the development, effector mechanisms and pathological consequences of type 2 immune responses. The observation that some helminth infections negatively correlate with allergic and inflammatory disease led to a large field of research into parasite immunomodulation. However, it is worth noting that helminth parasites are not always benign infections, and that helminth immunomodulation can have stimulatory as well as suppressive effects on allergic responses. In this review, we will discuss how parasitic infections change host responses, the consequences for bystander immunity and how this interaction influences clinical symptoms of allergy.