The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 113, Issue 1 , Pages 30-37, January 2004

The role of eosinophils in host defense against helminth parasites

  • Amy D. Klion, MD
    • ,
  • Thomas B. Nutman, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Thomas B. Nutman, MD, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, Building 4, Room B1-03, 4 Center Dr, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0425

Helminth Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md, USA

Received 20 October 2003; received in revised form 20 October 2003; accepted 21 October 2003.

Abstract 

The precise function of eosinophils in parasitic infection in vivo remains poorly understood despite eosinophils having been shown to be potent effectors in killing parasites in vitro. Although it has long been held that the primary function of the eosinophil is protection against helminth parasites, there are little data to prove this unequivocally. Moreover, eosinophils are responsible for a considerable amount of inflammatory pathology accompanying helminth infections. This article will provide an overview of our current knowledge about eosinophils and their role, both protective and pathogenetic, in parasitic helminth infections.

Keywords:  Immunity, resistance, cytotoxicity, nematodes

 

PII: S0091-6749(03)02534-X

doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2003.10.050

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Volume 113, Issue 1 , Pages 30-37, January 2004

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