Host-Parasite Relationship in Cystic Echinococcosis: An Evolving Story

Abstract

The larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus causes cystic echinococcosis, a neglected infectious disease that constitutes a major public health problem in developing countries. Despite being under constant barrage by the immune system, E. granulosus modulates antiparasite immune responses and persists in the human hosts with detectable humoral and cellular responses against the parasite. In vitro and in vivo immunological approaches, together with molecular biology and immunoproteomic technologies, provided us exciting insights into the mechanisms involved in the initiation of E. granulosus infection and the consequent induction and regulation of the immune response. Although the last decade has clarified many aspects of host-parasite relationship in human cystic echinococcosis, establishing the full mechanisms that cause the disease requires more studies. Here, we review some of the recent developments and discuss new avenues in this evolving story of E. granulosus infection in man.

Historical Aspects of Echinococcosis

“…Furthermore, the chemical composition of cyst fluid was discussed in some detail (Neisser, 1877). Recent developments of the immunobiology of the Echinococcus infection are described in previous reviews (e.g., Heath, 1995;Lightowlers and Gottstein, 1995;Gottstein and Hemphill, 2008;Mejri et al, 2010;Siracusano et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012) and in Chapter "Immunology...".…”

Role of soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1) and sPD-ligand 1 in patients with cystic echinococcosis

“…Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a chronic helminthic disease that is caused by infection with metacestodes of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases in humans in developing and developed countries (1). CE is prevalent in temperate zone countries, including South America, the entire Mediterranean region, Russia, central Asia, China and parts of Africa (2)(3)(4).…”

Molecular identification of Echinococcus granulosus on the Tibetan Plateau using mitochondrial DNA markers

“…It causes 1 million disability-adjusted life years in humans and an annual loss of 2 billion US dollars in livestock (Budke et al, 2006). Recently, the World Health Organization has included CE as part of a neglected zoonosis subgroup for its strategic plans for the control of neglected tropical diseases (Siracusano et al, 2011).…”