Host gender in parasitic infections of mammals: an evaluation of the female host supremacy paradigm.
J Parasitol
; 90(3): 531-46, 2004 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15270097
A review of current literature on mammalian hosts' sexual dimorphism (SD) in parasitic infections revealed that (1) it is a scarcely and superficially studied biological phenomenon of considerable significance for individual health, behavior, and lifestyles and for the evolution of species; (2) there are many notable exceptions to the rule of a favorable female bias in susceptibility to infection; (3) a complex network of molecular and cellular reactions connecting the host's immuno-neuroendocrine systems with those of the parasite is responsible for the host-parasite relationship rather than just an adaptive immune response and sex hormones; (4) a lack of gender-specific immune profiles in response to different infections; (5) the direct effects of the host hormones on parasite physiology may significantly contribute to SD in parasitism; and (6) the need to enrich the reductionist approach to complex biological issues, like SD, with more penetrating approaches to the study of cause-effect relationships, i.e., network theory. The review concludes by advising against generalization regarding SD and parasitism and by pointing to some of the most promising lines of research.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças Parasitárias
/
Caracteres Sexuais
/
Sistema Endócrino
/
Sistema Imunitário
/
Mamíferos
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Parasitol
Ano de publicação:
2004
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
México
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos