Parasites and Public Health: Global Challenges and Emerging Insights

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2025 | Volume : 02 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Dr. V. Basil Hans,

  1. Research professor, Department of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India

Abstract

Parasitic illnesses are still a big problem for health around the world, especially in developing nations where sanitation and access to healthcare are restricted. Protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites are all types of parasites that can damage many organ systems and cause both short-term and long-term health problems. This article looks at how parasites affect human health in different ways, focussing on common infections including malaria, schistosomiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Parasitic infections can cause a wide range of problems, including starvation, anaemia, neurological problems, and a weakened immune system. Also, the way parasites interact with the host’s immune system can make co-infections worse and affect how well immunisations work. We also talk about new findings on how parasites may cause autoimmune illnesses and how they might be used in immunotherapy. To make focused public health interventions, better diagnostic tools, and better treatment strategies, we need to know all the consequences of parasites.

Keywords: Parasites, human health, protozoa and helminths, and the immune system effects on Global Health

How to cite this article:
Dr. V. Basil Hans. Parasites and Public Health: Global Challenges and Emerging Insights. International Journal of Tropical Medicines. 2025; 02(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Dr. V. Basil Hans. Parasites and Public Health: Global Challenges and Emerging Insights. International Journal of Tropical Medicines. 2025; 02(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijtm/article=2025/view=223070


References

  1. Onkoba WN, Chimbari MJ, Mukaratirwa S. Malaria endemicity and co-infection with tissue-dwelling parasites in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review. 2015. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Bär AK, Phukan N, Pinheiro J, Simoes-Barbosa A. The interplay of host microbiota and parasitic protozoans at mucosal interfaces: implications for the outcomes of infections and diseases. 2015. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Newbold L, Burthe S, Oliver A, et al. Helminth burden and ecological factors associated with alterations in wild host gastrointestinal microbiota. ISME J. 2017;11:663–675. doi:10.1038/ismej.2016.153
  4. Short EE, Caminade C, Thomas BN. Climate change contribution to the emergence or re-emergence of parasitic diseases. Infect Dis (Auckl). 2017 Sep 25;10:1178633617732296. doi:10.1177/1178633617732296. PMID: 29317829; PMCID: PMC5755797.
  5. Stothard JR, Littlewood DTJ, Gasser RB, Webster BL. Advancing the multi-disciplinarity of parasitology within the British Society for Parasitology: studies of host–parasite evolution in an ever-changing world. Parasitology. 2018;145(13):1641–1646. doi:10.1017/S0031182018001476
  6. Leung JM, Graham AL, Knowles SC. Parasite–microbiota interactions with the vertebrate gut: synthesis through an ecological lens. 2018. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Shen SS, Qu XY, Zhang WZ, Li J, Lv ZY. Infection against infection: parasite antagonism against parasites, viruses and bacteria. 2019. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Rennie C, Fernandez R, Donnelly S, McGrath KCY. The impact of helminth infection on the incidence of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2021. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  9. Alloo J, Leleu I, Grangette C, Pied S. Parasite infections, neuroinflammation, and potential contributions of gut microbiota. Front Immunol. 2022 Dec 8;13:1024998. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024998. PMID: 36569929; PMCID: PMC9772015.
  10. Natukunda A, Zirimenya L, Nassuuna J, Nkurunungi G, Cose S, Elliott AM, Webb EL. The effect of helminth infection on vaccine responses in humans and animal models: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Rodgers ML, Bolnick DI. Opening a can of worms: a test of the co-infection facilitation hypothesis. 2023. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 02
02
Received 02/07/2025
Accepted 22/07/2025
Published 26/07/2025
Publication Time 24 Days
82


My IP

PlumX Metrics