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Variation and immunity to intestinal worms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2003

D. WAKELIN ,
S. E. FARIAS  and
J. E. BRADLEY
D. WAKELIN
Affiliation:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England. Department of Physiology and Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
S. E. FARIAS
Affiliation:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England. Department of Physiology and Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
J. E. BRADLEY
Affiliation:
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, England. Department of Physiology and Biotechnology Centre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Abstract

Genetically determined variation in host capacity to express resistance to a given parasite plays a major role in determining the outcome of infection. It can be assumed that the same is true of variation in parasites, but very much less is known of its influence on the host–parasite relationship. Phenotypic and genotypic variation within species of intestinal worms is now well documented, detailed studies having been made of parasites such as Ascaris in humans and trichostrongyles in domestic animals. However, the extent to which this variation affects the course of infection or the host immune response in these hosts is limited. Of the nematodes used as experimental models in laboratory rodents, detailed data on phenotypic or genotypic variation are limited to Strongyloides and Trichinella. Parasite variation is known to be subject to host-mediated selection, the emergence of anthelmintic resistance being a good example. Repeated passage has been used to select lines of parasite that survive in abnormal hosts or which show adaptation to host immunity. Experimental studies with Trichinella genotypes in mice have demonstrated the extent to which parasite variation influences the nature and degree of the host's immune and inflammatory responses, the complex interplay between immunogenicity and pathogenicity influencing both partners in the relationship. Recent studies with isolates of Trichuris muris have shown how parasite variation influences the capacity of mice to express the T helper cell responses necessary for resistance. Molecular differences between T. muris isolates have been shown in their excreted/secreted products as well as at the level of their DNA. Knowledge of the functional consequences of parasite variation will add to our understanding of host-parasite evolution as well as providing a rational basis for predicting the outcome of controls strategies that rest on the improvement of host resistance through vaccination or selective breeding.

Keywords

Parasite variationhost immunityselectionTrichinellaTrichuris muris
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 125 , Issue 7 , May 2002 , pp. S39 - S50
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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