COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION BY PARASITES - REVIEW

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 36  (1) , 5-14
Abstract
Activation of complement by parasites (living parasites or purified parasite antigens) is involved in several mechanisms of the host-parasite relationship. In most of the experiments performed in vitro, complement activation was lethal for the parasites, but sometimes it could be essential for the development of parasitemia. Both classical and alternative complement pathways may be activated by parasites; the classical pathway nearly always requires the involvement of antibodies whereas the alternative pathway is activated directly by products released by the parasites or present in their teguments. Activation of complement, especially via the alternative pathway may also be a prerequisite for cellular adherence to parasites which can then cause their death. [Species discussed are Schistosoma, Echinococcus, Taenia, Trichinella, Ascaris, Hymenolepis, trypanosomes, Plasmodium, Babesia and Toxoplasma.].