Fish immune responses to experimental and natural infection with helminth parasites

Abstract

Selected features of the responses by fish to helminth parasites are discussed and comparison is made where appropriate with mammals. These include: (i) Factors influencing host specificity and consideration of the mechanisms that underpin the restriction of some parasites in their host spectrum, (ii) How fish leucocytes kill helminth larvae, with emphasis on the role of released oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) free radicals from macrophages, (iii) Immune evasion strategies used by fish helminths, including invasion of immunologically privileged sites, encystment, adsorption of host proteins on the parasite surface, and high surface membrane turnover, (iv) Potential immunogens for vaccination and use for immunodiagnosis of infection, and (v) Natural and induced protection against helminths, with emphasis on the potential for future vaccination strategies.