Toxoplasma gondii and subversion of the immune system

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular obligate parasite that enters the host via the gastrointestinal tract. The parasite is able to evade or subvert the immune response of its host via various mechanisms. Here, we discuss a recent in vitro study by Eric Denkers and colleagues that focused on the modulation of gene transcription of host macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following infection with T. gondii. The parasite was able to block the response of macrophages to LPS, a major immunostimulatory component of Gram negative bacteria, thus possibly avoiding the hyperinflammatory response of the host to gut microflora, among which Gram negative bacteria are abundant. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.