The type 2 immune response that develops during infectious disease has undergone major paradigm shifts in the last several years as new cell types and pathways have been identified. It is now clear that the type 2 immune response, characterized by elevations in specific cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, is associated with helminth infections in both humans and mice.This response is complex and includes effector functions that mediate resistance, contributing to expulsion and in some cases destruction, of the parasite.But just as importantly, the type 2 immune response can also...