Open AccessProtozoa traversal of the blood–brain barrier to invade the central nervous system
Author(s) -
Elsheikha Hany M.,
Khan Naveed Ahmed
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2010.00215.x
Subject(s) - biology , protozoa , blood–brain barrier , transcellular , paracellular transport , trojan horse , central nervous system , plasmodium (life cycle) , neuroscience , microbiology and biotechnology , parasite hosting , genetics , membrane , world wide web , computer science , permeability (electromagnetism) , operating system
Neuropathogenic protozoa have evolved strategies to breach the blood–brain barrier and invade the central nervous system. These include transcellular, paracellular and the Trojan horse routes but the associated molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we summarize the current understanding of protozoa penetration across the blood–brain barrier, focusing on Plasmodium , Babesia , Trypanosoma , Toxoplasma , Acanthamoeba and Balamuthia . Advances in understanding the molecular pathways will offer opportunities for the rational development of novel therapeutic interventions.