Parasitic Disease as a Cause of Immunosuppression

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Abstract
Parasitic infections, whether induced by protozoa (as in malaria and trypanosomiasis) or by helminths (as in schistosomiasis and filariasis) are among the most widespread and severe diseases of mankind. In the past 10 years, it has become increasingly evident that these parasites not only have direct, deleterious effects on the host but also affect the host's immune system by impairing the immune response to parasite-unrelated antigens.Williamson and Greenwood1 were among the first investigators to recognize the potential importance of this phenomenon in their studies in areas of high malaria endemicity. They observed that the immune response to vaccination with . . .