Schistosoma mansoni infection reduces the incidence of murine cerebral malaria

Plasmodium and Schistosoma are two of the most common parasites in tropical areas. Deregulation of the immune response to Plasmodium falciparum, characterized by a Th1 response, leads to cerebral malaria (CM), while a Th2 response accompanies chronic schistosomiasis.

Methods: The development of CM was examined in mice with concomitant Schistosoma mansoni and Plasmodium berghei ANKA infections.

The effect of S. mansoni egg antigen injection on disease development and survival was also determined.

Cytokine serum levels were estimated using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test.

Results: The results demonstrate that concomitant S.

mansoni and P. berghei ANKA infection leads to a reduction in CM.

This effect is dependent on infection schedule and infecting cercariae number, and is correlated with a Th2 response. Schistosomal egg antigen injection delays the death of Plasmodium-infected mice, indicating immune involvement.

Conclusions: This research supports previous claims of a protective effect of helminth infection on CM development.

The presence of multiple parasitic infections in patients from endemic areas should therefore be carefully noted in clinical trials, and in the development of standard treatment protocols for malaria. Defined helminth antigens may be considered for alleviation of immunopathological symptoms.

Author: Judith Waknine-GrinbergDaniel GoldAriel OhayonEliezer FlescherAlina HeyfetsMichael DoenhoffGabriele SchrammHelmut HaasJacob Golenser
Credits/Source: Malaria Journal 2010, 9:5

Published on: 2010-01-05

Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.

Comments Page 0 of 0

There are currently 0 comments to display.

+ Add New Comment

Custom Search