Is there immunity to Schistosoma japonicum?

The Oriental schistosome, Schistosoma japonicum, unlike the other two major schistosomes that infect humans (S. mansoni and S. haematobium), is a zoon otic species. The transmission dynamics and the potential effects of host r elated regulatory actors, including immunity, are likely to be distinct for this parasite. Here, Alien Ross and collaborators from Australia, China an d the Philippines discuss recently published and established epidemiologica l and laboratory data bearing on anti-infection immunity to Asian schistoso miasis, and contrast these findings with the emerging picture of developmen t of anti-infection immunity against the African schistosomes. Implications for vaccines and other control strategies for schistosomiasis japonica are also discussed.