Immunity to Protozoan Parasites

Immunity to Protozoan Parasites

1 Instituto de Biof́ısica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil 2Departamento de Biologia Celular Molecular e Bioagentes Patogenicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil 3 Laboratorio de Bioquı́mica y Bioloǵıa Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de Cór...

Sex-associated hormones and immunity to protozoan parasites.

Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies have noted differences in the incidence and severity of parasitic diseases between males and females. Although in some instances this may be due to gender-associated differences in behavior, there is overwhelming evidence that sex-associated hormones can also modulate immune responses and consequently directly influence the outcome of parasitic infe...

Ups and downs of mucosal cellular immunity against protozoan parasites.

Protozoan Parasites

When viewed from the top, Trichodina is circular; side views of the organism reveal a saucer or dome shape (Fig. 1). It has three rings of cilia (small, hair-like projections) encircling its body and oral cavity, which are used for locomotion and feeding. Its body is supported by a rigid ring of interconnected discs called a chitinoid or denticular ring (Fig. 2). Each disc has a thorn-like inne...

Foodborne protozoan parasites.

This report addresses Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora, and more briefly, Toxoplasma as the main parasitic protozoa of concern to food production worldwide. Other parasitic protozoa may be spread in food or water but are not considered as great a risk to food manufacture. The protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Cyclospora have proven potential to cause waterborne and foodborne...