Publication: Worms and malaria: Noisy nuisances and silent benefits
Issued Date
2002-11-20
Resource Type
ISSN
01419838
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0036421098
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Parasite Immunology. Vol.24, No.7 (2002), 391-393
Suggested Citation
Mathieu Nacher Worms and malaria: Noisy nuisances and silent benefits. Parasite Immunology. Vol.24, No.7 (2002), 391-393. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3024.2002.00470.x Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/20187
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Worms and malaria: Noisy nuisances and silent benefits
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The burden of malaria mortality has been a major evolutionary influence on human immunity. The selection of the most successful immune responses against malaria has been in populations concomitantly infected by intestinal helminths. Animal models have shown that coinfections with helminths and protozoa in the same host elicit a range of antagonist and synergistic interactions. Recent findings suggest similar interactions take place between helminths, Plasmodium falciparum and humans. However, as the threat of HIV and tuberculosis becomes a major selective force, what used to be a successful ecological system may now prove detrimental. Nevertheless, the understanding of the ecological forces at play may expose new intervention targets for malaria control, and give a new perspective on our shortcomings against the deadliest of human parasites.