Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are known to be fundamental in instigating immune responses, but their role in influencing these responses beyond their initiation is less well understood. Here, using the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is deficient in strong PAMPs, we demonstrate a requirement for the continuous expression of PAMPs for optimal anti-pathogen immunity. Although co-inoculating with, temporary anchoring of and transgenic expression of exogenous PAMPs all result in enhanced early adaptive immune responses, only the continuous expression of bacterial PAMPs on transgenic T. cruzi sustains these responses, resulting in enhanced pathogen clearance. These findings demonstrate that PAMPs function to potentiate adaptive immune responses well beyond their initiation and may determine the efficiency of control of pathogens capable of long-term persistence.