Abstract
BackgroundCo-infection with multiple soil-transmitted helminth (STH) species is common in communities with a high STH prevalence. The life histories of STH species share important characteristics, particularly in the gut, and there is the potential for interaction, but evidence on whether interactions may be facilitating or antagonistic are limited.MethodsData from a pretreatment cross-sectional survey of STH egg deposition in a tea plantation community in Sri Lanka were analysed to evaluate patterns of co-infection and changes in egg deposition.ResultsThere were positive associations between Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) and both Necator americanus (hookworm) and Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm), but N. americanus and Ascaris were not associated. N. americanus and Ascaris infections had lower egg depositions when they were in single infections than when they were co-infecting. There was no clear evidence of a similar effect of co-infection in Trichuris egg deposition.ConclusionsAssociations in prevalence and egg deposition in STH species may vary, possibly indicating that effects of co-infection are species dependent. We suggest that between-species interactions that differ by species could explain these results, but further research in different populations is needed to support this theory.
Highlights
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widespread, with 1.45 billion people infected globally in 20101 and more than 830 million children in need of preventive treatment in 2016.2 Often, all three major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) (Ascaris lumbricoides [roundworm]; Trichuris trichiura [whipworm]; Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale [hookworm]) will be present in a community[3,4,5] and co-infections with more than one STH are common.[6]
The distribution of income was higher in Ayr compared with Maliboda, and Ayr had a higher proportion of the population with access to toilet facilities (75.5% compared with 37.3%)
These results may indicate that establishment interactions differ between species, as there is no positive association between N. americanus and Ascaris, but positive associations in other cases
Summary
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widespread, with 1.45 billion people infected globally in 20101 and more than 830 million children in need of preventive treatment in 2016.2 Often, all three major STHs (Ascaris lumbricoides [roundworm]; Trichuris trichiura [whipworm]; Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale [hookworm]) will be present in a community[3,4,5] and co-infections with more than one STH are common.[6] For example, in one community in Brazil, 24.1% of the population were infected with both hookworm and Ascaris, which was a higher prevalence than single infections of either.[7]. Given the high prevalence of STH co-infections, it is important to investigate the effects and drivers of co-infection and the consequences for STH epidemiology and morbidity.[7,8] Correlated exposures and host predisposition could lead to positive associations between species and increased intensity of infection. We suggest that between-species interactions that differ by species could explain these results, but further research in different populations is needed to support this theory
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
