TNF and helminthiasis: MC contains many granules rich in inflammatory mediators such as histamine and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα).6 These prestored mediators are immediately released upon MC stimulation that allows activated MCs to rapidly initiate immune responses to viral, bacterial or parasitic infections.12 For instance, MCs play important roles in the protection against parasitic (for example, helminthic) infections by orchestrating both early and late phases of immune responses and inducing lymph node hyperplasia at the beginning of infection.12, 13