Immunopathogenesis of Human Filarial Infections

The nematode parasites Wuchreria bancrofi, Brugia malayi & Brugia timori which are the causative agents of Human Lymphatic Filariasis produce, severe suffering leading to physical crippling and economic loss. The disease dynamics that lead to the clinical manifestations like lymphoedema or elephantiasis is due to an interplay between a myriad of parasite proteins and the cells of the immune system like T-cells, B-cells, monocytes and blood platelets. This reflects the remarkable ability of these nematode parasites to survive in the hostile immune environment of the host. The current review focuses on the immune evasive strategies adopted by the parasite to counter the adaptive and innate immune responses elicited by the host, with a special reference towards the use of parasite specific recombinant proteins to analyze and understand the parasite specific immune modulation which is the catch-word to understand any disease dynamics.