Co‐infection of helminths and malaria: modulation of the immune responses to malaria

2006/07/06 by Franca C. Hartgers, Maria Yazdanbakhsh · 1 citation
Immunology and Microbiology · Environmental Science · Medicine · #Parasites and Host Interactions #Parasite Biology and Host Interactions #Malaria Research and Control #Malaria #Immunology #Immune system #Biology #Helminths #Helminth infections #Helminthiasis #Disease #Immunity #Antigen #Medicine #Internal medicine

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1365-3024.2006.00901.x

openalex publication_date 2006/07/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Chronic helminth infections induce strong type 2 and regulatory immune responses and are known to influence immune activity to other antigens such as allergens and vaccines. Since malaria and helminth infections often coincide geographically in the same tropical regions, the question arises whether helminth infections modulate the immune responses towards the malaria parasite and affect its course of disease. Here, we will review studies on co-infections in both animal models and in human populations, and discuss the changes in the immune system seen. Furthermore, the implications of helminth infection for the efficacy of malaria vaccines will be discussed.

Citations

• Escape of malaria parasites from host immunity requires CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells
• Increased frequency of malaria attacks in subjects co-infected by intestinal worms and Plasmodium falciparum malaria
• Severe malaria attack is associated with high prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection among children in rural Senegal

Cited by

• Hookworm infection [wikipedia]