Protozoan parasites host response

Cell surface components undoubtedly play key roles in the survival of protozoan parasites in hostile environments and in confrontation with host immune responses. In spite of their virtually certain relevance to disease processes that these parasites cause, the biochemistry, physiology and molecular biology of the surface constituents remain largely unexplored. 

Unlike most other types of infection, protozoan diseases are often chronic, lasting for months to years. When associated with a strong host immune response, this type of long-term infection is apt to result in a high incidence of immunopathology. Until recently the importance of host immune response in controlling many parasite infections was not fully appreciated, but the impact of HIV infection on many parasitic diseases has highlighted this relationship. 

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