Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Impact of the COVID-19 Duration on Neglected Parasitic Diseases
1İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi, Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, İzmir, Türkiye
Insights
Parasitic infections may offer protection against COVID-19 by modulating immune responses and sharing cellular receptors with SARS-CoV-2. However, the pandemic has disrupted parasitic disease control, risking increased incidence of malaria and other helminth infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to significant mortality globally.
- Parasitic infections, though often underestimated, are highly prevalent and lethal.
- Emerging research suggests parasitic infections can alter host immunity, impacting viral disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential protective effects of parasitic immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To investigate the mechanisms by which parasites influence viral disease outcomes, including the cytokine storm.
- To highlight the consequences of pandemic-related disruptions on the control of parasitic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on the interplay between parasitic infections and viral diseases.
- Analysis of shared cellular receptors (e.g., CD147) and immunological pathways (e.g., Th1/Th2 responses) between SARS-CoV-2 and parasites.
- Examination of epidemiological data and trends in parasitic disease incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Results:
- Parasitic infections may confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 by modulating immune responses and potentially utilizing common cellular entry receptors.
- Helminth infections, promoting Th2 immunity, may mitigate the severity of COVID-19 by preventing detrimental Th1-driven cytokine storms.
- The global focus on COVID-19 has led to a concerning pause in efforts against parasitic diseases, potentially increasing their incidence.
Conclusions:
- Immunity shaped by parasitic infections could play a role in the varying severity and incidence of COVID-19 observed globally.
- Urgent resumption of parasitic disease control programs is necessary to prevent a resurgence of malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths.
Abstract:
The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which started in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has affected the whole world and caused approximately four million deaths. Consequently, scientists have done a great deal of research in such a short time about the disease. Meanwhile, parasites, whose evolutionary process is as old as human history, are often underestimated despite their high prevalence and lethality. Recent studies; however, have shown that immunity changes caused by parasitic infections affect the course of viral diseases. For example, because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Plasmodium use a common CD147 receptor to enter the cell and have similarities in their MHC-presented antigenic determinants, scientists suggest that immunity against parasitic infections protects the body against SARS-CoV-2 infections. This could explain the low COVID-19 incidence in malaria-endemic countries. Additionally, the cytokine storm, which is responsible for mortality in COVID-19 infections, is caused by the activation of the immune system to Th1 way. On the other hand, helminth infections, which activate the immune system to Th2 way, can reduce mortality by preventing the cytokine storm. The relationship between COVID-19 and parasites is not limited to changes in the immune system changes. Studies have shown that the pause in the fight against parasitic infections due to the diversion of all attention toward COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic will lead to an increase in incidences of malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminths. For this reason, efforts to mitigate this increase should be resumed as soon as possible by taking additional measures globally.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
01:26Stages of Infection
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
01:20Infection
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...