Anatomical features of anti-viral immunity in the respiratory tract

S. mansoni Bolsters Anti-Viral Immunity in the Murine Respiratory Tract

The human intestinal parasite Schistosoma mansoni causes a chronic disease, schistosomiasis or bilharzia. According to the current literature, the parasite induces vigorous immune responses that are controlled by Th2 helper cells at the expense of Th1 helper cells. The latter cell type is, however, indispensable for anti-viral immune responses. Remarkably, there is no reliable literature among ...

Anti-parasitic and Anti-viral Insect Immunity

Insects encounter many microorganisms in nature and to survive they have developed counter measures against the invading pathogens. In Drosophila melanogaster research on insect immunity has mainly been focused on infections by bacteria and fungi. We have explored the immune response against natural infections of the parasite Octosporea muscaedomesticae and the Drosophila C virus as compared to...

The Role of Leukotrienes in Respiratory Tract and Asthma

Polyunsaturated fatty acids play a role as precursors of biolo­gically active compounds that can act as mediators or modulators  of various cell functions. Thus three main groups of derivatives­ the prostaglandins, the thromboxanes, and recently discovered  leukotrienes are formed by oxygenation and further transformation of various polyunsaturated fatty acids of which arachidonic acid  plays t...

Severe Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Children

Viral Respiratory Tract Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most commonly inherited potentially lethal disease amongst Caucasian children and young adults. In Europe, approximately 35,000 children and adults are affected by CF. The prevalence in the US and in Canada is approximately 30,000 and 3,000, respectively. CF is an autosomal recessive disorder and is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance...