Publications by authors named "Rima Hayani"
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the effects of a helminth (parasitic worm) infection in pigs, revealing that it significantly affects the immune response when combined with a bacterial infection, leading to higher bacterial loads.
- Experimental results show that coinfected pigs had depressed immune responses, including reduced interferon gamma and altered macrophage function, which negatively impacted their ability to control the bacterial infection.
- This demonstrates an important interaction between the helminth and bacterial infections, highlighting the consequences for both pig health and potential zoonotic implications for humans, particularly in regions with high rates of these infections.
Article Synopsis
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for fighting off Salmonella infections, especially in the initial stages.
- Research found that pigs infected with both Ascaris suum and Salmonella enterica showed significantly decreased NK cell activity compared to those with only Salmonella, as indicated by lower levels of important immune markers like IFN-γ and perforin.
- The study suggests that Ascaris infection weakens the NK cell response, making it harder for the host to combat additional bacterial infections like Salmonella.
Background: Intestinal helminths are extremely prevalent among humans and animals. In particular, intestinal roundworms affect more than 1 billion people around the globe and are a major issue in animal husbandry. These pathogens live in intimate contact with the host gut microbiota and harbor bacteria within their own intestines.
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