A ROLE FOR THE ENTERIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM IN THE RESPONSE TO HELMINTH INFECTIONS

The enteric nervous system (ENS) in the gut contains a particularly hi gh concentration of nerve cells, and effectively functions as an indep endent 'minibrain'. Interactions between nerve, endocrine, immune and other cell types allow the sophisticated regulation of normal gut phys iology. They can also bring about a co-ordinated response to parasitic infection, possibly leading to expulsion of the parasite. In this rev iew, Derek McKay and Ian Fairweather will consider, in brief, data per taining to changes in the ENS following intestinal helminth infections and speculate on the role that these alterations may have in the expu lsion of the parasite burden and the putative ability of the parasite to modulate these events.