AUTHOR=Chetty Alisha , Omondi Millicent A. , Butters Claire , Smith Katherine Ann , Katawa Gnatoulma , Ritter Manuel , Layland Laura , Horsnell William 

TITLE=Impact of Helminth Infections on Female Reproductive Health and Associated Diseases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.577516

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.577516

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>A growing body of knowledge exists on the influence of helminth infections on allergies and unrelated infections in the lung and <underline>g</underline>astro<underline>i</underline>ntestinal (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 <underline>l</underline>ow- and <underline>m</underline>iddle-<underline>i</underline>ncome <underline>c</underline>ountries (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.</p>