Nutritional aspects of infection

Area of Science:

• Nutritional science
• Parasitology
• Public health

Background:

• Gastrointestinal helminthiases are known to cause malnutrition in animals.
• Ascariasis, hookworm disease, strongyloidiasis, and trichuriasis are common human intestinal parasitic infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on how ascariasis, hookworm disease, strongyloidiasis, and trichuriasis contribute to human malnutrition.
• To highlight the need for further research into the nutritional impacts of these infections.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on helminth infections and malnutrition.
• Examination of experimental results from related parasites in laboratory settings.

Main Results:

• Ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides) infection in children is linked to reduced growth, nitrogen imbalance, vitamin A malabsorption, fat digestion issues, lactose maldigestion, and increased intestinal transit time.
• Hookworm infection is primarily associated with iron-deficiency anemia, affecting adult productivity and child learning.
• The nutritional effects of trichuriasis and strongyloidiasis require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Ascariasis and hookworm disease have established nutritional consequences, but their full public health significance needs more research.
• Comprehensive research is necessary to determine the range of nutritional impacts from trichuriasis and strongyloidiasis.
• The public health importance of less common gastrointestinal helminthiases should also be considered.