Progress in the molecular biology of malaria and the immunology of nematode infections.
Japan is one of a small number of countries to have successfully controlled or eliminated major parasitic diseases, including malaria, filariasis, schistosomiasis and enteric parasitoses. Of particular importance in this success was a close collaboration between primary research and public health efforts. Many Japanese researchers continue to study malaria, particularly the areas of genetics and immunology, and this should contribute to global parasite eradication strategies. Furthermore, studies of immunoregulation of nematode infection using the interleukin-18 pathway, most of which have been conducted in Japan, are helping to improve researchers' understanding of human immune mechanisms and host-parasite interactions.
Arizono
Naoki
N
Department of Medical Zoology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. arizonon@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
Nakanihsi
Kenji
K
Horii
Toshihiro
T
Tanabe
Kazuyuki
K
D000818:Animals; D000940:Antigenic Variation; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007564:Japan; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017780:Malaria Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009514:Vanuatu
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D020382:Interleukin-18; D007376:Interleukin-2; D017780:Malaria Vaccines