Scaling immunity: sickness as a host defense strategy

Trends in Immunology 2026 Open access

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Authors: A Clare Sparling, Esther Borges Florsheim, Zuri A. Sullivan
DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2026.03.015
Cited by: 1
References: 11

Abstract

Sickness, or sickness behavior, is a state of altered physiology and behavior generated by the brain-immune axis during infection, which is generally assumed to contribute to host defense. Here, we examine this assumption by framing sickness as organismal-scale immunity and explore predicted parallels with immunity at the cellular and tissue scales.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research Tryptophan and brain disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Trends in Immunology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
47
Issue
6
Pages
460–462
Publication date
30 April 2026
Language
EN