title: Immunology and immunodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis: an update.
abstract: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by the larval cystic stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This complex multicellular pathogen produces various antigens which modulate the host immune response and promote parasite survival and development. The recent application of modern molecular and immunological approaches has revealed novel insights on the nature of the immune responses generated during the course of a hydatid infection, although many aspects of the Echinococcus-host interplay remain unexplored. This paper summarizes recent developments in our understanding of the immunology and diagnosis of echinococcosis, indicates areas where information is lacking, and suggests possible new strategies to improve serodiagnosis for practical application.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Medical Research Institute, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No. 1 Liyushan Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830054, China. wenbaozhang62@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Wenbao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Renyong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth