ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2013;30(3):117-122

Rewiev article

UDC: 616-097:616.995.1

DOI: 10.2478/afmnai-2013-0002

Immune Response in Infections Caused by Helminthes

Dragan Zdravković¹, Jovana Kostić², Jelena Radović², Aleksandar Kostić², Milena Potić Floranović², Ana Ristić Petrović², Aleksandra Ignjatović², Aleksandar Tasić¹, Nataša Miladinović Tasić^1,2, Suzana Otašević^1,2

¹Public Health Institute Niš, Serbia

²University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia


Summary

The first line of defence in parasitic infection is the innate immune system. On the other hand, adaptive immune system posseses numerous mechanisams of hummoral and cellular immunity. Cellular immunity in a helminth infection is characterised by Th2 immune response. Considering the fact that the aim of a parasite is not to kill its host, the majority of parasites are highly addapted to the life inside the host, and succesefully avoid or limit its deffences. A special signifficance of the parasite as a potential pathogen is its possibility to escape immunity. Numerous helminths are releasing different substances that are acting as lymphocyte suppressors and macrophage inactivators and they are capable of destroying antibodies. They have a possibility of camouflage, sequestration and surface shell peeling with the aim to avoid immune response. Latest research in the field of immunology has revealed the significance of CD40 co-stimumlating protein of antigen presenting cells in the immune response to parasitic infection. Immune response in the course of parasitic infestion is important in pathogenesis of helminthioses.

Key words: helminth, immunity, parasitic infection