Immunity to Parasite

Dr. Mejbah Uddin Ahmed

 Immunity to Parasite
Immunity against parasitic infection may be:
innate or acquired type. There is another
immune response against parasite is known
as premunition.
Innate immunity: Does not depend upon
previous exposure. It is probably related
genetic constitution of the host. For example:
African children carrying the sickle-cell trait
(HbS heterozygotes) are relatively resistant to
P. falciparum infection.
Acquired immunity: It may be antibody
mediated or cell mediated. This type of
immunity can be achieved either actively or
passively.
Acquired active immunity: Acquired active
immunity may be antibody or cell mediated
by. It developed after a natural infection or
may be induced artificially. Infection with L.
tropica provides life long immunity.
Acquired passive immunity: Antibodies
against parasite may pass from mother to
fetus through placenta and breast milk from
an immune mother.
Premunition: Concomitant immunity or
infection immunity in which there is a relative
resistance to infection of host still carrying
the infecting organism. It disappears with the
cure of the infection.
***Vaccination is not very much successful
against parasitic infection.