Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation

Roxanne Pillay; Pragalathan Naidoo; Zilungile L Mkhize-Kwitshana

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2024.1471411

Herpes simplex virus type 2 in sub-Saharan Africa and the potential impact of helminth immune modulation

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Dec 4:14:1471411. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1471411. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Roxanne Pillay^{1

2

3}, Pragalathan Naidoo^{2

3}, Zilungile L Mkhize-Kwitshana^{2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Umlazi, South Africa.
² Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, School of Laboratory Medicine & Medical Sciences, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
³ Division of Research Capacity Development, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁵ Biomedical Sciences Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and helminth infections are among the most widespread infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Helminths are known to modulate host immune responses and consequently impact the severity and outcomes of unrelated diseases, including allergies, autoimmune conditions, and infectious diseases. In this way, helminths may modulate essential immune responses against HSV-2 during co-infection and may alter susceptibility to and pathology of HSV-2. However, the epidemiology of STH/HSV-2 co-infections is understudied, and whether helminths influence the host immune response to HSV-2 is not well understood. In this perspective piece, we briefly examine the current knowledge on helminth immune modulation of important pathogens that are endemic to SSA, arguing that it is important to explore HSV-2 and helminth co-infections to elucidate potential interactions between HSV-2 and helminths. This is particularly relevant in SSA, where both pathogens are highly prevalent.

Keywords: HSV-2; HSV-2 outcomes; co-infection; helminth immune modulation; helminths; sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
Animals
Coinfection* / immunology
Coinfection* / parasitology
Coinfection* / virology
Disease Susceptibility / immunology
Helminthiasis* / complications
Helminthiasis* / epidemiology
Helminthiasis* / immunology
Helminths* / immunology
Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology
Herpes Genitalis / immunology
Herpes Simplex / epidemiology
Herpes Simplex / immunology
Herpesvirus 2, Human* / immunology
Humans

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research work was supported by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) (ZLMK MSC grant number: HDID5149/KR/202 and SAMRC Project Code 57009) through its Division of Research Capacity Development under the Research Capacity Development Initiative from funding received from the South African National Treasury. This research was also supported by the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT). The content and findings reported/illustrated are the sole deduction, view and responsibility of the researchers and do not reflect the official position and sentiments of the SAMRC and MUT.