title: Strongyloides stercoralis and the immune response.
abstract: The immune system is a highly evolved network of cells and molecules that can distinguish between invading pathogens and the body's own cells. But helminths, in their complex forms, are capable of down-regulating host immunity, protecting them from being eliminated and also minimizing severe pathology in the host. This review focuses on Strongyloides stercoralis and the immune responses in immunocompetent and/or immunocompromised individuals. It also highlights the implications for diagnosis/treatment and draws attention to an emerging public health disease. The solution to reducing the prevalence of strongyloidiasis remains on the effectiveness of pre-emptive measures in endemic communities, increased awareness, prompt early diagnosis as well as timely treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-araba, PMB 12003 Lagos, Nigeria. iriemeka@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Nnaemeka C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Iriemenam
authors.forename: Adekunle O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Sanyaolu
authors.forename: Wellington A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Oyibo
authors.forename: Adetayo F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fagbenro-Beyioku
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology