The beneficial helminth parasite?

Parasitology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. McKAY

There is unequivocal evidence that parasites influence the immune activity of their hosts, and many of the classical examples of this are drawn from assessment of helminth infections of their mammalian hosts. Thus, helminth infections can impact on the induction or course of other diseases that the host might be subjected to. Epidemiological studies demonstrate that world regions with high rates of helminth infections consistently have reduced incidences of autoimmune and other allergic/inflammatory-type conditions. Here I review and assess the possible ways by which helminth infections can block or modulate concomitant disease processes. There is much to be learned from careful analysis of immuno-regulation in helminth-infected rodents and from an understanding of the immune status of acutely and chronically infected humans. The ultimate reward from this type of investigation will likely be a more comprehensive knowledge of immunity, novel ways to intervene in the immune response to alleviate autoimmune and allergic diseases (growing concerns in economically developed areas), and perhaps the development of helminth therapy for patients suffering from specific inflammatory, autoimmune or allergic disorders.

Author(s):  
Margarete Arrais ◽  
Ofélia Lulua ◽  
Francisca Quifica ◽  
José Rosado-Pinto ◽  
Jorge M. R. Gama ◽  
...  

Epidemiological studies have shown conflicting findings on the relationship between asthma, atopy, and intestinal helminth infections. There are no such studies from Angola; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between asthma, allergic diseases, atopy, and intestinal helminth infection in Angolan schoolchildren. We performed a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren between September and November 2017. Five schools (three urban, two rural) were randomly selected. Asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema were defined by appropriate symptoms in the previous 12 months: atopy was defined by positive skin prick tests (SPT) or aeroallergen-specific IgE; intestinal helminths were detected by faecal sample microscopy. In total, 1023 children were evaluated (48.4% female; 57.6% aged 10–14 years; 60.5% urban). Asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, or eczema were present in 9%, 6%, and 16% of the studies children, respectively. Only 8% of children had positive SPT, but 64% had positive sIgE. Additionally, 40% were infected with any intestinal helminth (A. lumbricoides 25.9%, T. trichiura 7.6%, and H. nana 6.3%). There were no consistent associations between intestinal helminth infections and asthma, allergic diseases, or atopy, except for A. lumbricoides, which was inversely associated with rhinoconjuctivitis and directly associated with aeroallergen-specific IgE. We concluded that, overall, intestinal helminth infections were not consistently associated with allergic symptoms or atopy. Future, preferably longitudinal, studies should collect more detailed information on helminth infections as part of clusters of environmental determinants of allergies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
Стаханов ◽  
V. Stakhanov ◽  
Белова ◽  
E. Belova ◽  
Яснева ◽  
...  

The authors have evaluated the immune status, the level of skin sensitivity to tuberculin in long and sickly children in primary care. It is stated that the main cause of frequent and long illness in children and adolescents are a chronic pathology of the naso - and oropharynx and the allergic diseases (bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis). Pathogenetic basis of frequent and long respiratory infections are the changes in an immunological reactivity, i.e. reduction of phagocytosis, disorders of functional activity of T-lymphocytes, the ratio changes of helpers/suppressors, reduction of the level of cytotoxic lymphocytes. These changes are non-specific and mixed involve all parts of the immune system. Tuberculin sensitivity in the majority of children has postvaccinal character. There is anergy on the second or third years after vaccination. Apparently, the low sensitivity is an index of immune reactivity in fre-quently and long ill children and it has a low immune response to BCG vaccination. The group of long and sick-ly children can be considered to the risk of developing tuberculosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-342
Author(s):  
Rafał Pawliczak

H1-receptor blockers (including levocetirizine and desloratadine) are employed in treatment of multiple allergic diseases. In this review we deliver data regarding efficacy and safety these two drugs. Moreover, we are comparing their properties. The individualization therapy is a mainstay in allergic disorders treatment.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Augustin T. Twabela ◽  
Lam Thanh Nguyen ◽  
Justin Masumu ◽  
Patrick Mpoyo ◽  
Serge Mpiana ◽  
...  

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly transmissible and devastating disease that affects poultry and wild birds worldwide. Comprehensive knowledge regarding the characteristics and epidemiological factors of the ND virus (NDV) is critical for the control and prevention of ND. Effective vaccinations can prevent and control the spread of the NDV in poultry populations. For decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the impacts of ND on commercial and traditional poultry farming systems. The reports were preliminary clinical observations, and few cases were confirmed in the laboratory. However, data on the phylogenetic, genetic, and virological characteristics of NDVs circulating in the DRC are not available. In this study, the whole-genome sequences of three NDV isolates obtained using the next-generation sequencing method revealed two isolates that were a new variant of NDV, and one isolate that was clustered in the subgenotype VII.2. All DRC isolates were velogenic and were antigenically closely related to the vaccine strains. Our findings reveal that despite the circulation of the new variant, ND can be controlled in the DRC using the current vaccine. However, epidemiological studies should be conducted to elucidate the endemicity of the disease so that better control strategies can be implemented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jiani Li ◽  
Jichao Sha ◽  
Liwei Sun ◽  
Dongdong Zhu ◽  
Cuida Meng

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a subtype of CD4+ T cells that play a significant role in the protection from autoimmunity and the maintenance of immune tolerance via immune regulation. Epigenetic modifications of Treg cells (i.e., cytosine methylation at the promoter region of the transcription factor, Forkhead Box P3) have been found to be closely associated with allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergies. In this study, we highlighted the recent evidence on the contribution of epigenetic modifications in Treg cells to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Moreover, we also discussed directions for future clinical treatment approaches, with a particular emphasis on Treg cell-targeted therapies for allergic disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana G. Makarova ◽  
Leyla S. Namazova-Baranova ◽  
Oksana A. Ereshko ◽  
Dmitry S. Yasakov ◽  
Pavel E. Sadchikov

Intestinal microbiota is the factor that identifies considerably the human health. The impact of the microbial factor on a child begins long before his birth. Children have certain features in forming of immune response and intestinal microbiocenosis even before birth. Decline in diversity of intestinal microbiota is common in children with allergic disease even during first months of life, before allergic pathology development. Capabilities for microbiota development adjustment are sufficiently restricted. However it is clinically proven that early (within the first hours of life) breastfeeding attachment, breastfeeding itself within at least first 6 months of life, the use of prebiotics in milk formulas as well as the use of probiotics can give positive results on allergy management. In this review we present results of recent metaanalyses and consensus papers of international medical communities about use of probiotics and prebiotics in prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Despite great scientific and practical interest to this topic, authors of metaanalyses bring our attention to the lack of evidence-based clinical trials.


Author(s):  
I. I. Balabolkin ◽  
Vilya A. Bulgakova ◽  
I. E. Smirnov ◽  
E. V. Belyaeva ◽  
V. V. Botvinyeva ◽  
...  

The formation of hay fever as a form of allergic pathology in children is determined by the sensitization of the growing organism to pollen allergens with the production of specific IgE and significant influence of atopy. Comprehensively there were examined 45 adolescents of 10-17 years, suffering from hay fever. Serum cytokine content was determined by ELISA. Adolescents suffering from hay fever, in the remission of the disease were established to show an increase of production IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, accompanied by an increase in total serum IgE level. It indicates to the prevalence of Th2-immune response and participation of atopy in their development. The elevation of the IL-12 serum level in adolescents suffering from hay fever, more pronounced in patients with chronic inflammatory pathology of the upper respiratory tract, is possibly aimed at the reinforcement of the synthesis of IFN-a and suppression of the excessive Th2- immune response. The development of Th1/Th2 imbalance with predominance of Th2 immune response and changes in the cytokine status in examined adolescents are the determining factors for the occurrence of diseases due to pollen sensitization in them. The study of the assembly of various cytokines in pollenoses permits to destine about the functional activity of various cells of the immune system, the severity of the allergic process, the degree of activation of Th2 and Th1 lymphocytes, which should be considered in the treatment of these forms of allergic diseases in children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Cristina Motran ◽  
Leonardo Silvane ◽  
Laura Silvina Chiapello ◽  
Martin Gustavo Theumer ◽  
Laura Fernanda Ambrosio ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Drew Provan

This chapter covers the role of the immunology laboratory in the diagnosis of immunological and allergic disorders, including testing for autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, lymphocyte and neutrophil phenotype and function, and immunochemical analysis of serum proteins for the diagnosis of immune deficiency and myeloma. Information is provided on the tests, with ranges and explanation of the interpretation of abnormal results. Critical results requiring immediate action are highlighted.


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