Abstract

This review highlights the chemical structures of complex glycoconjugates from protozoan and helminth parasites, etiologic agents of major world-wide infections. Several studies on parasitic diseases indicate that glycan portions linked to proteins or lipids, expressed on the cell surface or secreted by protozoa Trypanosoma, Leishmania, and by trematodes and nematodes are virulence determinants responsible for host-parasite interaction and immunomodulation in infected animals and humans. Also, the unique chemical structures of the carbohydrate moieties of these glycoconjugates indicate a specific correlation between such compounds and parasite pathogenicity, suggesting that parasite glycan biosynthesis could be an important target to novel drugs, since vaccines are nonexistent and drugs for treatment are inadequate.