Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and helminth infections are among the most widespread infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Helminths are known to modulate host immune responses and consequently impact the severity and outcomes of unrelated diseases, including allergies, autoimmune co...

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Main Authors: Roxanne Pillay, Pragalathan Naidoo, Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1471411/full
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author Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Pragalathan Naidoo
Pragalathan Naidoo
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
author_facet Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Pragalathan Naidoo
Pragalathan Naidoo
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
author_sort Roxanne Pillay
collection DOAJ
description Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and helminth infections are among the most widespread infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Helminths are known to modulate host immune responses and consequently impact the severity and outcomes of unrelated diseases, including allergies, autoimmune conditions, and infectious diseases. In this way, helminths may modulate essential immune responses against HSV-2 during co-infection and may alter susceptibility to and pathology of HSV-2. However, the epidemiology of STH/HSV-2 co-infections is understudied, and whether helminths influence the host immune response to HSV-2 is not well understood. In this perspective piece, we briefly examine the current knowledge on helminth immune modulation of important pathogens that are endemic to SSA, arguing that it is important to explore HSV-2 and helminth co-infections to elucidate potential interactions between HSV-2 and helminths. This is particularly relevant in SSA, where both pathogens are highly prevalent.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2235-2988
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-a9dc513cd09e4db4a4000471ddbfa7922025-08-20T02:30:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882024-12-011410.3389/fcimb.2024.14714111471411Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulationRoxanne Pillay0Roxanne Pillay1Roxanne Pillay2Pragalathan Naidoo3Pragalathan Naidoo4Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana5Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana6Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana7Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana8Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaDivision of Research Capacity Development, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaDivision of Research Capacity Development, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaDivision of Research Capacity Development, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaBiomedical Sciences Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South AfricaHerpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and helminth infections are among the most widespread infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Helminths are known to modulate host immune responses and consequently impact the severity and outcomes of unrelated diseases, including allergies, autoimmune conditions, and infectious diseases. In this way, helminths may modulate essential immune responses against HSV-2 during co-infection and may alter susceptibility to and pathology of HSV-2. However, the epidemiology of STH/HSV-2 co-infections is understudied, and whether helminths influence the host immune response to HSV-2 is not well understood. In this perspective piece, we briefly examine the current knowledge on helminth immune modulation of important pathogens that are endemic to SSA, arguing that it is important to explore HSV-2 and helminth co-infections to elucidate potential interactions between HSV-2 and helminths. This is particularly relevant in SSA, where both pathogens are highly prevalent.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1471411/fullsub-Saharan AfricaHSV-2helminthsco-infectionHSV-2 outcomeshelminth immune modulation
spellingShingle Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Roxanne Pillay
Pragalathan Naidoo
Pragalathan Naidoo
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Zilungile L. Mkhize-Kwitshana
Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
sub-Saharan Africa
HSV-2
helminths
co-infection
HSV-2 outcomes
helminth immune modulation
title Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
title_full Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
title_fullStr Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
title_full_unstemmed Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
title_short Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
title_sort herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub saharan africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation
topic sub-Saharan Africa
HSV-2
helminths
co-infection
HSV-2 outcomes
helminth immune modulation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1471411/full
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