Parasitic infections are common in TB endemic areas and are likely to impact on the high burden of TB. Among parasitic infections, neglected tropical diseases caused by parasites, such as filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), are still serious problem for human health. A high prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis are closely related to poverty, poor environmental hygiene, and lifestyle. It is estimated that 1.4, 1, and 1.3 billion people globally suffer from Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm, respectively. Seven hundred twenty million people infected with STH are estimated to have clinical symptoms, and approximately 135,000 people die from complications per year. Recent studies also suggest that chronic helminthic infection may reduce the efficacy of Bacille de Calmette et Guérin (BCG) vaccination, a live attenuated vaccine against TB. Furthermore, regions with a high burden of helminthiasis are correlated with a high TB burden, implying that helminthic infection is a potential risk for TB development and vice versa. However, the relationship between establishment of LTBI and each parasitic infection is unknown.
Last date updated on April, 2024
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