Implications of Ascaris Co-infection

Complex interactions in soil-transmitted helminth co-infections from a cross-sectional study in Sri Lanka

“…STHs use immunoregulation to escape host immunity in the gut, and it has been theorized that the immunoregulation of the different STH species may be synergistic within the host, resulting in a less hostile immune environment in co-infections. 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 Studies of the immunology of co-infection in humans and animal models have provided some support for this theory. One study found more down-regulation of the specific, pro-inflammatory T helper 1 (Th1) immune response in N. americanus , A. lumbricoides and Schistosoma mansoni co-infections compared with single infections, although infection intensity was not affected by co-infection.…”

“…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. Ascaris , Trichuris and Ancylostoma duodenale share faecal–oral transmission routes, and exposure factors such as sanitation and toilet facilities are expected to correlate with co-infection.…”

The long and winding road of Ascaris larval migration: the role of mouse models

“…Several other important microparasite and macroparasite infections utilize the liver as a site of infection or spend part of their life-cycle therein, such as Schistosoma and Plasmodium (Deslyper et al ., 2019 a ). Hepatitis B and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are potentially important co-infections that inhabit the liver and lungs, respectively (Abanyie and Lamb, 2013 ). Pre-existing immune responses to these other pathogens may impact upon larval migration both in terms of enhancement or diminution of the accompanying host responses and concurrent parasite burdens.…”