Helminth Genomics: The Implications for Human Health

Brindley, Paul J. and Mitreva, Makedonka and Ghedin, Elodie and Lustigman, Sara (2009) Helminth Genomics: The Implications for Human Health. PLoS Neglected tropical diseases, 3. e538.

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Abstract

More than two billion people (one-third of
humanity) are infected with parasitic roundworms or
flatworms, collectively known as helminth parasites. These
infections cause diseases that are responsible for enor-
mous levels of morbidity and mortality, delays in the
physical development of children, loss of productivity
among the workforce, and maintenance of poverty.
Genomes of the major helminth species that affect
humans, and many others of agricultural and veterinary
significance, are now the subject of intensive genome
sequencing and annotation. Draft genome sequences of
the filarial worm Brugia malayi and two of the human
schistosomes, Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni, are
now available, among others. These genome data will
provide the basis for a comprehensive understanding of
the molecular mechanisms involved in helminth nutrition
and metabol i sm, host-dependent devel opment and
maturation, immune evasion, and evolution. They are
likely also to predict new potential vaccine candidates and
drug targets. In this review, we present an overview of
these efforts and emphasize the potential impact and
importance of these new findings.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Medical and Health Sciences > Basic medicine
Divisions: Faculty of Medical Science
Depositing User: Mirjana Kocaleva Vitanova
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2012 14:50
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2012 14:50
URI: https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/2486

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