Symbiosis and attenuation

Parasitic protozoa and bacteria transmitted by vector insects and ticks resist destruction in the intermediate host, possibly through the possession of antigens similar to those of the host. There is no evidence that symbiotic microorganisms have evolved similar eclipsed antigens. Symbiotes are prot...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 266; p. 166
Main Author Brooks, M A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1975
Subjects
Animals
Arachnid Vectors - microbiology
Calcium - metabolism
Chitinases - metabolism
Cockroaches - enzymology
Cockroaches - microbiology
Hemolymph - enzymology
Insect Vectors - microbiology
Insecta - immunology
Insecta - metabolism
Insecta - microbiology
Muramidase - metabolism
Symbiosis
Ticks - immunology
Ticks - metabolism
Ticks - microbiology
Virulence
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Summary:Parasitic protozoa and bacteria transmitted by vector insects and ticks resist destruction in the intermediate host, possibly through the possession of antigens similar to those of the host. There is no evidence that symbiotic microorganisms have evolved similar eclipsed antigens. Symbiotes are protected from destruction by the natural lytic agents in the host, because they remain for the most part inside special cells that have lost the ability to recognize the symbiotes as "nonself." Metallic ions may play an important role in attenuation through their effect on cell membranes and on the release of lytic agents. The symbiotes of insects are useful and interesting subjects for studying attenuation.
ISSN:0077-8923
DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1975.tb35098.x