PUBERTY AND AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN SUSCEPTIBILITY TO SCHISTOSOME INFECTION

Authors
FULFORD AJC WEBSTER M OUMA JH KIMANI G DUNNE DW
Citation
Ajc. Fulford et al., PUBERTY AND AGE-RELATED-CHANGES IN SUSCEPTIBILITY TO SCHISTOSOME INFECTION, Parasitology today, 14(1), 1998, pp. 23-26
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Parasitiology
Journal title
Parasitology today → ACNP
ISSN journal
01694758
Volume
14
Issue
1
Year of publication
1998
Pages
23 - 26
Database
ISI
SICI code
0169-4758(1998)14:1<23:PAAIST>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
Recent data from outbreaks of schistosomiasis in immuno-logically naiv e populations have refuelled the debate concerning the nature or exist ence of protective, acquired immunity to schistosomiasis in humans. Da ta from endemic communities provide some compelling evidence for an ab rupt change in reinfection rates that coincides with puberty. We sugge st that the hormonal changes of adrenarche may hold the key to underst anding the relative resistance to infection found in adults.