PERSPECTIVES ON TOLERANCE TO PARASITIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Immune responses to infectious parasitic diseases appear to be simply directed towards killing
or clearing the parasite. However, the immunological strategies constitute a complex incorporated
network of immune mechanisms to eradicate the parasite itself in addition to preservation
of the integrity of host tissues. Resistance and tolerance are believed to be two distinct
complementary host defense immune strategies. Mechanisms triggering infectious tolerance to
parasitic infections are still poorly recognized but seem to be centered on controlling parasiteinduced
tissue damage in the infected host. It is becoming obvious that realizing infectious tolerance
as a prominent constituent of defense strategy deliver significant conceptions in coexistence
of host-parasite relationship. This data may also pave the way to new therapeutic approaches
in many parasitosis.

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