Within-host mechanisms of immune regulation explain the contrasting dynamics of two helminth species in both single and dual infections.

ABSTRACT: Variation in the intensity and duration of infections is often driven by variation in the network and strength of host immune responses. While many of the immune mechanisms and components are known for parasitic helminths, how these relationships change from single to multiple infections and impact helminth dynamics remains largely unclear. Here, we used laboratory data from a rabbit-helminth system and developed a within-host model of infection to investigate different scenarios of immune regulation in rabbits infected with one or two helminth species. Model selection suggests that the immunological pathways activated against Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and Graphidium strigosum are similar. However, differences in the strength of these immune signals lead to the contrasting dynamics o

SUBMITTER: Vanalli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7721179 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature