@article{94838,
  keywords = {Reproductive health},
  author = {Chetty A and Omondi MA and Butters C and Smith KA and Katawa G and Ritter M and Layland L and Horsnell W},
  title = {Impact of Helminth Infections on Female Reproductive Health and Associated Diseases},
  abstract = {<jats:p>A growing body of knowledge exists on the influence of helminth infections on allergies and unrelated infections in the lung and <jats:underline>g</jats:underline>astro<jats:underline>i</jats: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 <jats:underline>l</jats:underline>ow- and <jats:underline>m</jats:underline>iddle-<jats:underline>i</jats:underline>ncome <jats:underline>c</jats: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.</jats:p>},
  year = {2020},
  journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  volume = {11},
  publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
  issn = {1664-3224},
  doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2020.577516},
  language = {eng},
}