Abstract
SUMMARY: The inflammatory responses to lymphatic filariae and toOnchocerca volvulusare reviewed with particular attention to (1) evolutionary biology; (2) inflammatory host spectrum; (3) non-specific components; (4) immunoregulation; (5) immune evasion versus immunomodulation; (6) chronic tissue damage and scarring and (7) disease models. Basic principles of pathogenesis are emphasized, comparisons drawn with schistosome infection, and critical items of missing information are highlighted.