Sporozoite antigens are the basis of a number of malaria vaccines being tested, but the contribution of antigens expressed during subsequent liver stage development to pre-erythrocytic stage immunity is poorly understood. We previously showed that, following immunisation with radiation attenuated sporozoites (RAS), a model epitope embedded in a sporozoite surface protein elicited robust CD8+ T cell

Experimental Haemonchus contortus (Hc) infections revealed that Texel sheep have faecal egg counts (FEC) comparable to parasite-resistant St. Croix but adult worm burden comparable to parasite-susceptible Suffolk sheep. The aim of these studies was to further investigate the mechanism causing this disparity. Cellular and humoral immune responses to adult- and egg stage Hc were compared amongst St.

The menace of the enfeebling disease leishmaniasis prevails due to the inaccessibility of effective vaccine and chemotherapy. Hence in the pursuit of finding novel alternative options with reasonable efficacy, immunomodulation, leishmanicidal activity and fewer side effects, screening of compounds from natural sources is needed. This study was focused on in vitro and in vivo antileishmanial screening

The differences in morbidity and mortality patterns and life expectancy between the sexes are well established in different infectious and parasitic conditions, such as in leishmaniases, in which biological, genetic, sexual and hormonal variations can modulate the immune response indicating greater infectivity, prevalence and clinical severity in men. In this regard, in seeking the understanding of

Gamma-delta (γδ) T cells are the bridge between natural and adaptive immunity. In the present study, peripheral blood was collected from 13 patients with advanced schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis group) and 13 uninfected people (control group) to investigate the γδ T cells and their subtypes in human schistosomiasis. Compared with the control group, the proportion of Vδ1 cells and CD27+Vδ1+ cells in

We investigated whether tryptase released from mast cells activated by prostate stromal cells (PSC) reacted with Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) promoted the proliferation of PSC through protease- activated receptor 2 (PAR2). Conditioned medium of PSC was prepared by stimulating them with Tv (Trichomonad-conditioned medium (TCM)), and mast cell-conditioned medium were prepared by incubating them with TCM

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease with a chronic debilitating character caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The main disease-causing species of Schistosoma in China is S. japonicum. M fortis has been proved to be a nonpermissive host of S. japonicum. Mf-HSP90α (Microtus fortis heat shock protein 90alpha), the homologue of HSP90α, display anti-schistosome effect in vitro and

Previous studies have shown that Echinococcus granulosus cystic fluid can alleviate Th2 allergic airway inflammatory responses by increasing the number of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+T (regulatory T; Treg) cells. Parasite-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) are known to not only promote parasite infection by communicating between parasites but also regulate the inflammatory response by acting as an immunomodulatory

Previous studies have applied genomics and transcriptomics to identify immune and genetic markers as key indicator traits for cattle tick susceptibility/resistance; however, results differed between breeds, and there is lack of information on the use of host proteomics. Serum samples from Santa Gertrudis cattle (naïve and phenotyped over 105 days as tick-resistant [TR] or tick-susceptible [TS]) were

An immunoproteomic approach was followed to identify immunoreactive antigens of fish ectoparasite, Argulus siamensis with rohu (Labeo rohita) immune sera for screening of potential vaccine candidates.

The study aimed to investigate possible correlation between expression level of Th1/Th2/Th17-type profile and cyst viability in the systemic and local immunity of hepatic cystic Echinococcosis (CE) patients.

This study characterized extracellular vesicles (EVs) of sera from mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii or immunized with EVs derived T gondii. EVs were purified of sera from four groups (5 A/Sn mice/group). EV-IM: Mice immunized with T gondii-released EVs; ACT: mice in acute infection; CHR: mice in chronic infection; and NI: normal mice. EVs were purified by ultracentrifugation. Concentration of serum-derived

Following inoculation of Leishmania, a protozoan parasite, into the skin of a mammal, the epidermal keratinocytes recognize the parasite and influence the local immune response that can give rise to different outcomes of leishmaniasis. The early keratinocyte-derived cytokines and keratinocytes-T cells interactions shape the anti-leishmanial immune responses that contribute to the resistance or susceptibility

Microsporidia are a group of obligate, intracellular, spore‐forming eukaryotic pathogens, which predominantly infects immunocompromised individuals worldwide. Encephalitozoon spp. is one of the most prevalent microsporidia known to infect humans. Host immune system plays a major role in combating pathogens including Encephalitozoon spp. infecting humans. Both innate and adaptive arms of host immune

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is characterized by a chronically progressing hepatic injury caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Surgery presently remains the best curative option. Currently, biological predictive features derived from the resected specimens are not suitable to assess surgery efficacy. The present study was designed to investigate whether a selection of markers measured on the resected

To investigate whether FCN3 polymorphisms and circulating ficolin‐3 levels were associated with clinical forms of chronic Chagas disease (CD) and to assess their potential use as biomarkers for the disease or its severity.

Helminth infection typically induces a Th2 inflammatory response that is characterized by eosinophilia, high levels of IgE and mast cells. LTB4 is generated from innate immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages and mast cells, in response to a range of stimuli. It mainly acts on myeloid leukocytes, inducing the activation of integrins, adhesion to endothelium walls, and chemotaxis.

Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) due to Leishmania tropica and zoonotic CL (ZCL) due to L major have different clinical and epidemiological features.

The immune response during T spiralis infection is characterized by an increase in eosinophils and mast cells, as well as Th2 cytokine production, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-13, promoting T spiralis expulsion from the host. However, this response damages the host, favouring the parasite survival. In the search for new pharmacological strategies that protect against T spiralis infection

Ticks are haematophagous arthropods with unique molecular mechanisms for digesting host blood meal while acting as vectors for various pathogens of public health significance. The tick's pharmacologically active saliva plays a fundamental role in modulating the host's immune system for several days to weeks, depending on the tick species. The vector tick has also developed sophisticated molecular mechanisms

Ticks and tick‐borne diseases are a challenge for medical and veterinary public health and often controlled through the use of repellents and acaricides. Research on vaccination strategies to protect humans, companion animals, and livestock from ticks and tick‐transmitted pathogens has accelerated through the use of proteomic and transcriptomic analyses. Comparative analyses of unfed versus engorged

Hampering-surface presentation of immunogenic peptides by class I/II MHCs is a key strategy opted by several intracellular protozoan pathogens including Leishmania to escape CD8/CD4 mediated host-protective T-cell response. Although Leishmania parasites (LP) primarily hijack/inhibit host lysosomal/proteasomal pathways to hamper antigen-processing/presentation machinery, recent pieces of evidence have

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint blockade are efficacious in certain cancer therapies.

The goal of this study was to analyse the effects of a protein‐deficient (PD) diet on antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro against newborn larvae (NBL) of Trichinella spiralis in the lungs of infected rats. Two groups of weaning Wistar rats received a PD diet (6.5% casein) and other two received a control diet (C, 20% casein). After ten days, one group of each diet was infected

Chagas disease (CD) is a global health concern with approximately 12 000 deaths per year worldwide. In the chronic phase, about 30% of patients develop the cardiac clinical form, which presents symptoms associated with the presence of inflammatory cells in the cardiac tissue. Neutrophils are inflammatory cells able to modulate the chronic immune response against pathogens. These cells are capable of

More than 11 million people were estimated to have been infected by Schistosoma japonicum in China before the 1950s. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the longitudinal effects of previous schistosome infection (PSI).

Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) are largely used as a model for infectious diseases because it is very susceptible to several pathogens, including Leishmania spp. parasites. However, the research community faces limitations in its use due to the lack of immunological reagents and tools to study the immune system in this model. In this context, we proposed the validation of some important commercially

To evaluate whether bed bugs are associated with allergic reactions in patients seen in the emergency department (ED).

Extract of adult Ascaris suum (ASC) worms attenuated the liver damage in experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) with induction of Th2 immune response, but fibrosis occurred. N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) has protective effects against liver fibrosis.

Some protozoa (Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, etc) are used to treat cancer because they can improve tumour‐induced immunosuppression. This study aims to evaluate the antitumour effect of Eimeria stiedae oocyst soluble protein (ESSP). ESSP was extracted, and mice were injected with 5 × 105 CT26 cells in the right axilla, and then, 50 μg of ESSP was intraperitoneally injected for 5 continuous

Diagnosis of leishmaniasis based on antibodies detection represents a challenge due to cross‐reaction of sera with other infectious agents, which co‐exist in endemic areas of Leishmania sp, especially patients with Trypanosoma cruzi. This work is aimed at searching for immunogenic proteins in sera from patients with cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis that may be potential candidates for the development

Immune‐mediated hypersensitivity reactions to ticks and other arthropods are well documented. Hypersensitivity to ixodid (hard bodied) ticks is especially important because they transmit infection to humans throughout the world and are responsible for most vector‐borne diseases in the United States. The causative pathogens of these diseases are transmitted in tick saliva that is secreted into the host

This special issue of Parasite Immunology focuses on the scope of immune interactions that take place within the triad of ticks, their vertebrate hosts, and tick‐borne pathogens. Ticks and tick‐borne infections are global medical and veterinary public health threats due to greater abundance and expanding geographic ranges of tick vectors; introduction of tick transmitted diseases into new areas; emerging

It is known that miRNAs are effective in immune response in the diagnosis and treatment of many infectious diseases. However, the miRNAs profile is unknown in Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis which can be fatal if left untreated. The miRNAs profile that activates the T and B cells forming the immune system in Alveolar and Cystic Echinococcosis patients was investigated in this study. A total of 50

Ticks are the primary vector of arboviruses in temperate climates worldwide. They are both the vector of these pathogens to humans and an integral component of the viral sylvatic cycle. Understanding the tick‐pathogen interaction provides information about the natural maintenance of these pathogens and informs the development of countermeasures against human infection. In this review, we discuss currently

The bacterial pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease and is transmitted to humans through an Ixodes tick vector. B. burgdorferi is able to survive in both mammalian and tick hosts through careful modulation of its gene expression. This allows B. burgdorferi to adapt to the environmental and nutritional changes that occur when it is transmitted between the two hosts. Distinct

Despite immunization appearing to be the most appropriate strategy for long‐term control of the vector‐borne leishmaniases, no sustainable vaccine is currently available against any form of leishmaniasis. We therefore evaluated, in the context of vaccine antigen candidates, antigen‐specific immune response at various stages of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL).

Immunocompromised mice are extensively used in the screening of vaccines and drugs for Cryptosporidium, but this study model does not reflect the real status of infection in immunocompetent animals. This study aimed to provide an optimized animal model for future studies of Cryptosporidium vaccine.

To date, a Toxoplasma gondii vaccine for clinical use remains unavailable, though multiple vaccine candidates have been suggested. In our previous studies, unadjuvanted virus‐like particles (VLPs) vaccines expressing multiple T. gondii antigens were confirmed to be protective against T. gondii challenge infection. Yet, the protective efficacy of adjuvanted T. gondii VLP in comparison with the unadjuvanted

The recent development of high‐throughput NGS technologies, (ie, next‐generation sequencing) has highlighted the complexity of tick microbial communities—which include pathogens, symbionts, and commensals—and also their dynamic variability. Symbionts and commensals can confer crucial and diverse benefits to their hosts, playing nutritional roles or affecting fitness, development, nutrition, reproduction

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution and triggers a strong Th1 immune response in infected susceptible hosts. On the contrary, most helminth infections are characterized by Th2 immune response and the use of helminth‐derived antigens to regulate immune response in inflammatory disorders has been broadly investigated.

Acquired tick resistance is a phenomenon wherein the host elicits an immune response against tick salivary components upon repeated tick infestations. The immune responses, potentially directed against critical salivary components, thwart tick feeding, and the animal becomes resistant to subsequent tick infestations. The development of tick resistance is frequently observed when ticks feed on non‐natural

Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellated extracellular protozoan parasite that infects the human genitourinary tract, is usually transmitted by sexual contact. Our previous study showed that the leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a T vaginalis‐secreted lipid mediator, induces interleukin (IL)‐8 production and promotes mast cell degranulation and migration via BLT1 in human. In this study, we investigated whether T vaginalis

Local and systemic immune mediators of Morada Nova lambs with divergent Haemonchus contortus resistance phenotypes were evaluated.

This study aimed at investigating the impact of Dicrocoelium ova on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) treatment in C57BL6 mice.

‘Omics’ technologies have facilitated the identification of hundreds to thousands of tick molecules that mediate tick feeding and play a role in the transmission of tick‐borne diseases. Deep sequencing methodologies have played a key role in this knowledge accumulation, profoundly facilitating the study of the biology of disease vectors lacking reference genomes. For example, the nucleotide sequences

Leishmania braziliensis is the main causative agent of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in Brazil. Current treatment includes different drugs that have important side effects and identification of cases of parasite resistance to treatment support the search for new therapeutic strategies. Recent findings have indicated that CXCL10, a chemokine that recruits and activates Th1 cells, NK cells, macrophages

Ticks are blood‐feeding ectoparasites that transmit a variety of pathogens to host animals and humans, causing severe infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. In a certain combination of animal and tick species, tick infestation elicits acquired immunity against ticks in the host, which can reduce the ability of ticks to feed on blood and to transmit pathogens in the following tick infestations. Therefore

Polyreactive antibodies (pAb) bind to a broad range of unrelated structures, providing hosts with functional components able to rapidly recognize and protect against different pathogens. However, their roles against helminth parasites are still unexplored. Here, pAb profiles were analysed in cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonosis caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Levels of anti‐DNP

ES‐62 is a well‐studied anti‐inflammatory molecule secreted by L4‐adult stage Acanthocheilonema viteae. We maintain the life cycle of A viteae using Meriones libycus as the definitive host. Here, we investigated whether the full life cycle could be maintained, and functional ES‐62 produced, in a related jird species—Meriones shawi.

Leishmaniasis is considered a disease with multiple clinical/immunopathological characteristics, depending on the immunity of the host and the species of the parasite. In Panama, the most prevalent species that causes localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, and its immune response is poorly studied. Therefore, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry, the in situ immune