Parasitic infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the world today. Often endemic in developing countries many parasitic diseases are neglected in terms of research funding and much remains to be understood about parasites and the interactions they have with the immune system. This book examines current knowledge about immune responses to parasitic infections affecting humans, including interactions that occur during co-infections, and how immune responses may be manipulated to develop therapeutic interventions against parasitic infection. For easy reference, the most commonly studied parasites are examined in individual chapters written by investigators at the forefront of their field. An overview of the immune system, as well as introductions to protozoan and helminth parasites, is included to guide background reading. A historical perspective of the field of immunoparasitology acknowledges the contributions of investigators who have been instrumental in developing this field of research.

Parasites cause many important diseases in humans and domestic animals, malaria being an example. Parasites have evolved to exploit hosts' bodies whereas hosts have evolved immune systems to control infections. Host-parasite interactions therefore provide fascinating examples of evolutionary 'arms-races' in which the immune system plays a key role. Modern research in immunoparasitology is directed towards understanding and exploiting the capacity to develop effective anti-parasite immunity. By concentrating on selected infections where research has made significant progress, Immunity to Parasites provides a clear account of how host immune responses operate and how parasites can evade immunity. The experimental basis of this research is emphasised throughout. This completely updated second edition includes an expanded section on anti-parasite vaccines. The text is aimed at undergraduates and postgraduates with interests in either parasitology or immunology and provides introductory sections on these topics to lead the reader into the later chapters.

Featuring the work of several world authorities, this volume places primary emphasis on the mechanism of parasite produced changes in the immune response (i.e. immunosuppression). The text covers parasitic diseases on which the World Health Organization has aggressively promoted research through its Program on Research and Training In Tropical Diseases. Chapters cover parasitic diseases such as malaria, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis. Also included are discussions of toxoplasmosis and amebiasis. The material is drawn from the body of literature that has been rapidly accumulating for the last 15 years. An important feature of this text is that the contributors first outline existing knowledge about the immunology of each infection, thereby enabling the reader to more easily appreciate why and how the immunological alterations that accompany a disease are important, and then, to review the postulated mechanisms for such alterations. Consequently, the impact that each parasitic infection has on the immune system is always described in the "heart" of each chapter rather than at the beginning.

We acknowledge the initiation and support of this Research Topic by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). We hereby state publicly that the IUIS has had no editorial input in articles included in this Research Topic, thus ensuring that all aspects of this Research Topic are evaluated objectively, unbiased by any specific policy or opinion of the IUIS.

This book provides an interesting and up-to-date overview of Parasite Immunology in terms of a survival battle between hosts and parasites, describing firstly how parasites interact with different B cell compartments and trigger a vigorous antibody response. An Interesting chapter deals with new insights into immune diagnosis in Trypanosoma cruzi infection, while another chapter on malaria vaccines critically reviews their development since the beginning, examining the basis for failures or successes encountered in clinical trials. Chapters on immunological aspects of amoebiasis, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis in humans are written by top researchers in the world working in this field. This book should prove to be of interest to researchers and students wishing to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in this field. Therefore, this book is considered essential for all researchers involved in Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Microbiology, Immunology, and Vaccine design and discovery.

Parasitic Infections Understand and defeat a scourge of public health with this cutting-edge guide Parasitic diseases are considered as an important public health problem due to the high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in countries where climate and level of economic development create serious challenges to the creation of public health infrastructure, thus can make parasitic infections both graver and more difficult to contain. As we come to understand the global ramifications of public health, there has never been a more crucial time to understand these infections and the processes by which they can be managed and defeated. Parasitic Infections is a comprehensive overview of parasitic immunopathology, including the fundamentals of parasite biology, mechanisms and processes of infection, and the key steps of drug discovery and treatment. In addition to detailed coverage of the most commonly encountered infectious parasites, analysis of the immune system provides material pertinent to any possible parasitic infection. The result is an essential contribution to public health research. Parasitic Infections readers will also find: A careful balance of parasite immunopathology and pharmaceutical analysis Detailed discussion of parasites such as protozoans, helminths, and ectoparasites Case studies and in-depth analyses written by authors around the world on the basis of first hand investigation Parasitic Infections is a must-read for researchers or professionals in immunology, biology, medicinal chemistry, drug development or pharmaceutical research, and all related fields.