title: Human schistosome infection and allergic sensitisation.
abstract: Several field studies have reported an inverse relationship between the prevalence of helminth infections and that of allergic sensitisation/atopy. Recent studies show that immune responses induced by helminth parasites are, to an extent, comparable to allergic sensitisation. However, helminth products induce regulatory responses capable of inhibiting not only antiparasite immune responses, but also allergic sensitisation. The relative effects of this immunomodulation on the development of protective schistosome-specific responses in humans has yet to be demonstrated at population level, and the clinical significance of immunomodulation of allergic disease is still controversial. Nonetheless, similarities in immune responses against helminths and allergens pose interesting mechanistic and evolutionary questions. This paper examines the epidemiology, biology and immunology of allergic sensitisation/atopy, and schistosome infection in human populations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Centre for Immunity, Infection, and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT, UK.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rujeni
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutapi