Effects of Sex and Maternal Immunity on Protozoan and Helminth Infections

Roberts, Craig W.; Horsnell, William G. C.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16438-0_13

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 144 publications

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“…Interestingly, lactating females were significantly more likely to be infected with Oesophagostomum than pregnant females. In contrast to our findings above, this result supports the hypothesis that pregnant females are less susceptible to worm infections because they favor immune responses that promote Th-2 cytokine production ( Roberts and Horsnell 2015 ), important for providing humoral immunity against helminth parasites ( Mosmann and Sad 1996 ; Vargas-Villavicencio et al, 2009 ). In support of the idea that lactation is more costly than pregnancy, several studies have reported increased parasite risk in lactating but not pregnant females (e.g., domestic sheep, Ovis aries : González-Garduño et al, 2014 ; bank vole, Myodes glareolus : Grzybek et al, 2014 ; spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta : East et al, 2015 ; red deer, Cervus elaphus : Albery et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Predictors of helminth parasite infection in female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Habig

Chowdhury

Monfort

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Helminth parasite infection can impose major consequences on host fitness. Several factors, including individual characteristics of hosts, environmental conditions, and patterns of coinfection, are thought to drive variation in parasite risk. Here, we report on four key drivers of parasite infection—phase of reproduction, steroid hormone profiles, rainfall, and patterns of coinfection—in a population of wild female chacma baboons ( Papio ursinus ) in South Africa. We collected data on reproductive state and hormone profiles over a 3-year span, and quantified helminth parasite burdens in 2955 fecal samples from 24 female baboons. On a host level, we found that baboons are sensitive to parasite infection during the costliest phases of the reproductive cycle: pregnant females harbored higher intensities of Protospirura eggs than cycling and lactating females; lactating and cycling females had a higher probability of Oesophagostomum infection than pregnant females; and cycling females exhibited lower Trichuris egg counts than pregnant and lactating females. Steroid hormones were associated with both immunoenhancing and immunosuppressive properties: females with high glucocorticoid concentrations exhibited high intensities of Trichuris eggs but were at low risk of Oesophagostomum infection; females with high estrogen and progestagen concentrations exhibited high helminth parasite richness; and females with high progestagen concentrations were at high risk of Oesophagostomum infection but exhibited low Protospirura egg counts. We observed an interaction between host reproductive state and progestagen concentrations in infection intensity of Protospirura : pregnant females exhibited higher intensities and non-pregnant females exhibited lower intensities of Protospirura eggs with increasing progestagen concentrations. At a population level, rainfall patterns were dominant drivers of parasite risk. Lastly, helminth parasites exhibited positive covariance, suggesting that infection probability increases if a host already harbors one or more parasite taxa. Together, our results provide a holistic perspective of factors that shape variation in parasite risk in a wild population of animals.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Predictors of helminth parasite infection in female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Habig

Chowdhury

Monfort

et al. 2021

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Recent findings shed light on the particular roles of distinct T-cell subgroups and cytokines in managing maternal infection and maintaining balance within the gestational environment [70]. T-cell differentiation is determined by variable factors [71], and although the humoral immunologic response is maintained during pregnancy especially at the placenta level, the leishmania species are intracellular microbes that cannot be eliminated by humoral immunity [72]. Therefore, the maternal immune response is challenged by the combative needs of the maternal immunotolerance to the allogeneic fetus versus the necessity to respond to the invading parasite [73,74].…”

Section: Pathophysiology Of Leishmania Infection During Pregnancymentioning

confidence: 99%

Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Karampas,

Koulouraki,

Daikos

et al. 2024

JCM

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Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often referred to as kala-azar, is quite rare in developed countries during pregnancy. Only few studies have evaluated its impact on perinatal outcome. It is caused primarily by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum and presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations from cutaneous ulcers to multisystem disease. Differential diagnosis is challenging as symptoms and signs are insidious, mimicking other diseases. Misdiagnosis can result in severe adverse perinatal outcomes, even maternal/neonatal death. Early treatment with liposomal amphotericin-B (LAmB) is currently the first choice with adequate effectiveness. We report a rare case of VL in a twin pregnancy with onset at the second trimester, presenting with periodic fever with rigors, right flank pain, and gradual dysregulation of all three cell lines. The positive rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with LAmB resulted in clinical improvement within 48 h and in the delivery of two late-preterm healthy neonates with no symptoms or signs of vertical transmission. The one-year follow-up, of the mother and the neonates, was negative for recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of VL in a twin pregnancy, and consequently treatment and perinatal outcome are of great importance.

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Sex—the most underappreciated variable in research: insights from helminth-infected hosts

Wesołowska

2022

Vet Res

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The sex of a host affects the intensity, prevalence, and severity of helminth infection. In many cases, one sex has been found to be more susceptible than the other, with the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections being generally higher among male than female hosts; however, many exceptions exist. This observed sex bias in parasitism results primarily from ecological, behavioural, and physiological differences between males and females. Complex interactions between these influences modulate the risk of infection. Indeed, an interplay among sex hormones, sex chromosomes, the microbiome and the immune system significantly contributes to the generation of sex bias among helminth-infected hosts. However, sex hormones not only can modulate the course of infection but also can be exploited by the parasites, and helminths appear to have developed molecules and pathways for this purpose. Furthermore, host sex may influence the efficacy of anti-helminth vaccines; however, although little data exist regarding this sex-dependent efficacy, host sex is known to influence the response to vaccines. Despite its importance, host sex is frequently overlooked in parasitological studies. This review focuses on the key contributors to sex bias in the case of helminth infection. The precise nature of the mechanisms/factors determining these sex-specific differences generally remains largely unknown, and this represents an obstacle in the development of control methods. There is an urgent need to identify any protective elements that could be targeted in future therapies to provide optimal disease management with regard to host sex. Hence, more research is needed into the impact of host sex on immunity and protection.

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Effects of Sex and Maternal Immunity on Protozoan and Helminth Infections

Cited by 3 publications

References 144 publications

Predictors of helminth parasite infection in female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Predictors of helminth parasite infection in female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Sex—the most underappreciated variable in research: insights from helminth-infected hosts

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