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Sex in Immune Cells and Parasitic Diseases - A Complex Relationship
Barbara Honecker1, Charlotte Sophie Hansen1, Hanna Lotter1
1Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
Immunological Reviews
|January 16, 2026
Summary
Parasitic infections impact males more often due to behavior and immune system differences. Understanding these sex-based disparities is crucial for developing targeted treatments and improving global health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Sex-based differences in disease
Background:
- Epidemiological data reveal higher parasitic disease prevalence in males.
- Behavioral factors and immune system variations contribute to sex-based disparities.
- Hormonal and chromosomal factors influence immune cell responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on sex differences in immunity.
- To discuss the impact of these differences on parasitic diseases.
- To highlight the need for sex-disaggregated data and advanced immunological analyses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological and immunological studies.
- Analysis of cellular immunology and single-cell transcriptomics data.
- Examination of findings from rodent models mirroring human sex biases.
Main Results:
- Sex differences in innate and adaptive immunity significantly affect parasitic infection susceptibility and control.
- Hormonal and chromosomal factors drive these sex-specific immune responses.
- Rodent models offer insights into cellular mechanisms of sex-based disparities.
Conclusions:
- Biological sex is a critical factor influencing parasitic disease outcomes.
- Further research with sex-disaggregated data and advanced immunology is needed.
- Understanding sex differences can lead to more effective disease interventions.
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