| Přispěvatelé: |
Grobusch, Martin P., Schallig, H. D. F. H., Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, APH - Global Health, KIT: Biomedical Research, AII - Infectious diseases, Grobusch, M.P., Schallig, H.D.F.H., Faculteit der Geneeskunde |
| Popis: |
Concomitant infections by multiple pathogen species represent a serious threat to human health. Affecting over a billion people worldwide, co-infections are an important cause of human morbidity and mortality, and a powerful driver of pathogen evolution. Their clinical and pathological spectrum reflects the ability of co-infecting pathogens to interact with each other, resulting in synergistic or antagonistic effects that may alter the course and clinical presentation of disease, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Visceral leishmaniasis and malaria are two vector-borne diseases that co-exist in many areas around the world. Caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and Plasmodium, respectively, visceral leishmaniasis and malaria share part of their environmental, clinical and pathogenetic features. This suggests that the two diseases could co-occur and cross-interact in the same host, although limited data are available on this subject. This thesis presents an overview of clinical and experimental studies focusing on the epidemiology, immunology and parasitology of visceral leishmaniasis – malaria co-infections. By combining clinical and field evidence gathered from across East Africa with in vitro data on the mutual effects of the two parasites on and through the immune system, this thesis provides evidence that visceral leishmaniasis and malaria frequently co-exist in patients living in co-endemic areas, and can interact at immunological and non-immunological level, with potential implications on the course and resolution of the two diseases. |
