Rats, mice and men - models for immune effector mechanisms against schistosomiasis.

Experimental studies have demonstrated the diversity of immune effector mechanisms against schistosomes. Among the various animal models, the rat appears as an excellent experimental system for investigation of antibody-mediated immunity to Schistosoma mansoni. Rat monoclonal antibodies have allowed the identification of effector and regulatory mechanisms operating in human infection, together with the characterization of protective antigens, leading to promising approaches to vaccine development.