Journal of Ecology and Conservation

ABSTRACT

Cyclosporine A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressant, significantly impacts host-pathogen dynamics by inhibiting T cell activation through the calcineurin-NFAT pathway. CsA's effects on pathogen virulence and host susceptibility are evident in case studies of Cryptococcus neoformans and invertebrate host-pathogen systems. These studies reveal how CsA alters pathogen morphology, virulence factors, and overall pathogenicity, with implications for managing infections in immunocompromised patients. The emerging concern of pharmaceutical contaminants, including CsA, in aquatic environments highlights the complex dynamics of host-pathogen interactions in invertebrates. Immune responses play a crucial role in shaping population and evolutionary dynamics. Various host defense strategies are observed, including avoidance, tolerance, clearance, acquired immunity, and immune priming. Regulatory challenges in pharmaceutical contamination persist, with significant gaps in current regulations, particularly regarding invertebrate protection and chronic, low-dose exposure assessments. There is a pressing need for more comprehensive ecological risk assessments that consider the indirect effects of immunosuppressants on ecosystem functioning. Future research directions include field studies, multigenerational investigations, and the development of predictive ecological models. These efforts aim to enhance understanding of how pharmaceuticals like CsA affect invertebrate host-pathogen dynamics. Such research is crucial for informing more effective environmental risk assessments and developing targeted conservation strategies to protect vulnerable invertebrate populations and maintain ecosystem balance in the face of increasing pharmaceutical contamination.

Article History

KEYWORDS

1. Host-pathogen dynamics
2. Cyclosporine A (CsA)
3. Immunosuppressants
4. Pharmaceutical contamination
5. Ecological risk assessments