Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of geohelminths and their unique place in evolutionary biology have attracted research focus. These major soil-transmitted intestinal nematodes that cause human diseases are the nematode roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), the whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and the two hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), often collectively referred as geohelminths. Studies of geohelminthiasis in poorly nourished children in developing regions report that geohelminths contribute to stunted growth and cognitive impairment. Insights into immunology have shed light on the modulatory role of the parasite on the host immune system and have defined the role of T cells in controlling geohelminthic infection. Recent molecular biological techniques have created an opportunity to analyse the interaction between parasites and their hosts at the molecular level. This paper is a review of the recent literature that examined the prevalence of geohelminthiasis in developing countries, the association between geohelminths in relation to public health, parasitological/diagnostic features, and therapeutic and preventive aspects of these major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) pathogens in humans.
Highlights
Helminths are multicellular eukaryotic invertebrates with tube-like or flattened bodies exhibiting bilateral symmetry
We reviewed the current body of literature to gather the latest information about geohelminthic infections, focusing on prevalence, lifecycle, host interaction, treatment, and prevention
Concluding remarks Geohelminth infection continues to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middleincome countries
Summary
Helminths (parasitic worms) are multicellular eukaryotic invertebrates with tube-like or flattened bodies exhibiting bilateral symmetry. Apart from acute clinical disease, chronic helminthiasis can lead to insidious and debilitating disease, especially in children and women of child-bearing age [8,9,10,11,12] In addition to their health effects, an intestinal helminth infection impairs cognition in children and hinders economic development [2,13,14,15]. The important harmful factors in helminth infections include the direct pathogenic effect by the worms and the modulatory role of the parasite on the host immune system, altering the response to other antigens or pathogens and causing additional immunopathology [22]. Increased susceptibility to reinfection or concurrent bacterial infection is associated with cross-regulatory suppression of Th1 immunity by the helminth-driven weak Th2 cytokine responses [4952] This may be important in the developing world, where chronic helminth infection coexists commonly with enteric bacterial pathogens.
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