Abstract
Filarial nematodes secrete bioactive molecules which are of interest as potential mediators for manipulating host biology, as they are readily available at the host-parasite interface. The adult parasites can survive for years in the mammalian host, due to their successful modulation of the host immune system and most of these immunomodulatory strategies are based on soluble mediators excreted by the parasite. The secretome of filarial nematodes is a key player in both infection and pathology, making them an interesting target for further investigation. This review summarises the current knowledge regarding the components of the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of filarial parasites and their bioactive functions in the human host. In addition, the pathogenic potential of the identified components, which are mostly proteins, in the pathophysiology of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy is discussed.
Highlights
Filarial nematodes are thread-like worms transmitted by blood-feeding arthropod vectors and affect people from low- and middle-income countries
This review aims to summarise the current knowledge regarding the various components of the excretory-secretory products (ESP) of filarial nematodes, with a focus on O. volvulus, and their bioactive functions in the human host
Proteases Play a Key Role in Parasite Migration in the Host Tissue, Transition Through Developmental Stages and Nutrition Microfilariae and adult males migrate through skin, connective tissue or blood whereas adult females reside in subcutaneous tissue, connective tissue or lymphatic vessels (Taylor et al, 2010)
Summary
Filarial nematodes are thread-like worms transmitted by blood-feeding arthropod vectors and affect people from low- and middle-income countries. Adult worms reside in subcutaneous tissue (Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa), in the lymphatic system (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi) or in the subcutaneous and connective tissue (Mansonella spp.) and produce thousands of small thread-shaped larvae called microfilariae (Taylor et al, 2010). It has been shown that the adult filarial parasites can survive for years inside the host by modulating the host immune system through the excretion of soluble mediators (Moreno and Geary, 2008; Specht and Hoerauf, 2009). It has been shown that the anti-filarial drug ivermectin inhibits the excretory-secretory ability of microfilariae, resulting in their death (Moreno et al, 2010; Carithers, 2017; Harischandra et al, 2018; Loghry et al, 2020)
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