Babesiosis: persistence in the face of adversity

Trends Parasitol. 2003 Feb;19(2):51-5. doi: 10.1016/s1471-4922(02)00065-x.

Abstract

Many babesial parasites establish infections of long duration in immune hosts. Among different species, at least four mechanisms are known that could facilitate evasion of the host immune response, although no one species is (yet) known to use them all. This update strives to illustrate the ramifications of these mechanisms and the interplay between them.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigenic Variation / immunology
  • Babesia / immunology
  • Babesia / pathogenicity*
  • Babesia / physiology
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Disease Susceptibility / veterinary
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Multigene Family / genetics