A162 EXPULSION OF THE TAPEWORM HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA FROM MICE OCCURS INDEPENDENT OF SEROTONERIC SIGNALLING

摘要

BackgroundHelminth infestation is a global concern: millions of individuals suffer acute or chronic infections and the impact on domestic livestock is immense, where anthelminthic resistance is widespread. There are several components to the response against helminth parasites, the best-studied being Th2 immunity. Serotonin (5-HT), a signalling molecule of which 95% is produced in the gut, plays many roles in immunity and gut physiology. Enteric 5-HT content or 5-HT+ enterochromaffin (EC) cell numbers can be increased in response to infection with a helminth parasite. The relevance of these increases and their role, if any, in protection against helminths is unclear.