Helminth-virus interactions: determinants of coinfection outcomes

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Parasitology
• Virology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Viral infections are typically studied in isolation, yet natural infections often involve multiple pathogens.
• Helminths, parasitic worms, have coevolved with mammals, influencing host immunity, metabolism, and microbiome composition.
• Existing research indicates helminth coinfection can have variable effects, either protective or detrimental, during viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize findings from mouse models of helminth-virus coinfection.
• To identify key factors influencing coinfection outcomes, such as host antiviral immunity, pathogen tropism, and infection timing.
• To explore the mechanistic basis of how helminth coinfection impacts host immune responses and viral disease progression.

Main Methods:

• Review of published studies utilizing mouse models of helminth-virus coinfection.
• Analysis of factors influencing disease outcome, including host immune status and pathogen characteristics.
• Exploration of mechanistic insights into host-pathogen interactions during coinfection.

Main Results:

• Coinfection outcomes are determined by the interplay between antiviral immunity type, helminth and virus tissue tropism, and the timing of viral challenge relative to the helminth lifecycle.
• Helminths can modulate host immune responses, affecting viral pathogenesis and disease severity.
• The impact of helminths on viral infections is complex and context-dependent.

Conclusions:

• Helminth-virus coinfection outcomes are multifactorial, requiring consideration of specific immune, pathogen, and temporal elements.
• Enteric helminths, as significant components of the eukaryotic macrobiome, play a crucial role in modulating host responses to viral infections.
• Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending infectious disease dynamics in natural settings.