Abstract
A growing body of knowledge exists on the influence of helminth infections on allergies and unrelated infections in the lung and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. However, the bystander effects of helminth infections on the female genital mucosa and reproductive health is understudied but important considering the high prevalence of helminth exposure and sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this review, we explore current knowledge about the direct and systemic effects of helminth infections on unrelated diseases. We summarize host disease-controlling immunity of important sexually transmitted infections and introduce the limited knowledge of how helminths infections directly cause pathology to female reproductive tract (FRT), alter susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and reproduction. We also review work by others on type 2 immunity in the FRT and hypothesize how these insights may guide future work to help understand how helminths alter FRT health.
Highlights
BURDEN OF DISEASEHelminth infections are widespread and are characterized by sophisticated host immune modulation and evasion
The bystander effects of helminth infections on the female genital mucosa and reproductive health is understudied but important considering the high prevalence of helminth exposure and sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
We summarize host diseasecontrolling immunity of important sexually transmitted infections and introduce the limited knowledge of how helminths infections directly cause pathology to female reproductive tract (FRT), alter susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and reproduction
Summary
Helminth infections are widespread and are characterized by sophisticated host immune modulation and evasion. Of particular interest is the potential impact of helminth immune-regulation on susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), given their high incidence in developing regions and detrimental impact on public health [8]. Ivan et al [9] studied a cohort of 328 Rwandan pregnant women on anti-retroviral therapy, 38% of whom were stool positive for helminth infections [9]. Mkhize-Kwitshana et al [10] reported 66% of HIV+ study participants from an helminth endemic region of South Africa, were helminth egg positive and/or helminthspecific IgE seropositive [10]. Abossie and Petros [11] reported 68% of study participants in Ethiopia were co-infected with helminths and HIV, 35% were women [11].
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