The work presented in this thesis is an investigation of the immune responses induced by chronic schistosomiasis in Gabonese schoolchildren. By investigating concurrently various aspects of the... Show moreThe work presented in this thesis is an investigation of the immune responses induced by chronic schistosomiasis in Gabonese schoolchildren. By investigating concurrently various aspects of the immune response, including innate, adaptive and regulatory responses, we are able to gain a more in-depth understanding of the dynamic changes brought about by infection. Through a number of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies we show that S. haematobium infection induces increased frequencies of regulatory B (Breg) and T (Treg) cell subsets which are associated with increased levels of IL-10 and adaptive immune hypo-responsiveness. Anti-schistosome treatment results in the reduction of regulatory subsets, an increase in effector T cells and alleviation of suppressed antigen immune responses. By showing that Treg cells are linked to effector responses and that schistosomes can induce Breg cells, the scene is set for future studies to determine antigen specificity of these cells as well as ways to control their activity. As regulatory responses have been shown to be not only important in chronic infectious disease, but also in chronic inflammatory diseases the knowledge gained here may be of substantial value to the health of those living in both low- to middle-income countries as well as high-income countries. Show less
