Project Details
Projekt
Prenatal Immune Priming in Filariasis. The impact of filarial infection during pregnancy on immunocompetence and parasite persistence in infected offspring
Applicant
Professor Dr. Peter T. Soboslay
Subject Area
Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
Term
from 1998 to 2003
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5127444
This project is aimed to determine the impact and the consequences of filarial infection during pregnancy on immunocompetence and parasite persistence in infected offspring. The objectives of this study will be approached experimentally in the Litomosoides sigmodontis filariasis-mouse model, and in parallel, descriptive and analytical investigations in human filariasis will supplement experimental findings. This project will study and determine factors and mechanisms responsible for and contributing to induction of parasite-specific T-cell anergy in offspring from L.sigmodontis-infected mice, and investigate the impact of maternal L.sigmodontis infection in "cytokine gene-knock-out mice" on the subsequent course of infection and immune responsiveness in offspring. In parallel, the impact of maternal Onchocerca volvulus infection and prenatal immune priming/sensitization on parasite-specific reactivity in newborns will be studied. Longitudinal follow up of children born to mothers with O.volvulus infection will provide data on the longevity of prenatal immune priming, whether prenatal exposure to filarial parasites will predispose for increased levels of infection, reduced immunocompetence and modified expression of parasite-specific immunity.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
