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  • Essay / Granuloma Formation in Parasitic Infections

    Granuloma Formation in Parasitic InfectionsOnce parasites initiate an infection, they can effectively resist the lethal effects of macrophages and produce a chronic infection that can lead to inflammation. Parasites can induce granulomatous inflammation that serves to isolate pathogens that resist killing (58). These granulomas are regulated by T cells which recognize antigens released by parasites. In tissues, macrophages accumulate and secrete chemicals that induce fibrosis, stimulate the formation of granulomatous tissue, and cause fibrosis. During infection with Schistosoma spp, the formation of granulomas around the eggs develops (59) (see Chapter 4). Several eggs are transported to the liver where they are isolated behind a capsule containing several different types of inflammatory cells (59). In experiments performed in mice, granuloma formation consists mainly of eosinophils and is the result of a T cell-dependent response (59). In visceral leishmaniasis, parasites frequently spread to the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. This parasitic spread produces enlargement of the liver and spleen in a condition known as hepatosplenomegaly, fever, abdominal pain and weight loss are some symptoms associated with this condition. The disease is fatal if left untreated, due to numerous complications such as secondary infections, anemia, and malnutrition (60). In visceral leishmaniasis, fever, pallor, weakness, night sweats, anorexia, and weight loss are common and progress to a medical condition known as cachexia (wasting syndrome), a state of General wasting associated with overproduction of TNF- (also known as cachexin). ). Children with visceral leishmaniasis may develop diarrhea and failure to thrive... middle of article...... unit plays an important role in the development of intestinal pathology during experimental giardiasis and human. Once again, the uncontrolled response of this T cell immunity could be detrimental to the host by inducing collateral tissue damage. CONCLUSIONParasitic diseases constitute a major health problem worldwide, mainly affecting poor countries. The World Health Organization has identified several parasitic diseases as the most important in the world. These diseases include malaria, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, filariasis and schistosomiasis. Tissue damage and death induced by parasitic infections occurs especially after chronic infections and multiple organs are affected depending on the type of infection. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these diseases will be useful for identifying targets for developing therapeutic prototypes and vaccines...