Ebook: Sex Hormones and Immunity to Infection
- Tags: Immunology, Evolutionary Biology, Endocrinology, Animal Biochemistry, Animal Genetics and Genomics, Microbiology
- Year: 2010
- Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
Why sex matters
Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases.
The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes.
The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology.
The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.
Why sex matters
Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases.
The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes.
The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology.
The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.
Why sex matters
Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases.
The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes.
The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology.
The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Sex Differences in Susceptibility to Infection: An Evolutionary Perspective....Pages 1-17
Effects of Sex Steroids on Innate and Adaptive Immunity....Pages 19-51
Sex Steroid Receptors in Immune Cells....Pages 53-91
Sex Differences in Susceptibility to Viral Infection....Pages 93-122
Sex Differences in Innate Immune Responses to Bacterial Pathogens....Pages 123-146
Sex Hormones and Regulation of Host Responses Against Parasites....Pages 147-186
Sex Differences in Parasitic Infections: Beyond the Dogma of Female-Biased Resistance....Pages 187-204
Progesterone, Pregnancy, and Innate Immunity....Pages 205-226
Pregnancy and Susceptibility to Parasites....Pages 227-256
Sex Steroids and Risk of Female Genital Tract Infection....Pages 257-279
Sex, Pregnancy and Measles....Pages 281-302
Epilogue: Challenges for the Future....Pages 303-311
Back Matter....Pages 313-319
Why sex matters
Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases.
The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes.
The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology.
The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Sex Differences in Susceptibility to Infection: An Evolutionary Perspective....Pages 1-17
Effects of Sex Steroids on Innate and Adaptive Immunity....Pages 19-51
Sex Steroid Receptors in Immune Cells....Pages 53-91
Sex Differences in Susceptibility to Viral Infection....Pages 93-122
Sex Differences in Innate Immune Responses to Bacterial Pathogens....Pages 123-146
Sex Hormones and Regulation of Host Responses Against Parasites....Pages 147-186
Sex Differences in Parasitic Infections: Beyond the Dogma of Female-Biased Resistance....Pages 187-204
Progesterone, Pregnancy, and Innate Immunity....Pages 205-226
Pregnancy and Susceptibility to Parasites....Pages 227-256
Sex Steroids and Risk of Female Genital Tract Infection....Pages 257-279
Sex, Pregnancy and Measles....Pages 281-302
Epilogue: Challenges for the Future....Pages 303-311
Back Matter....Pages 313-319
....