Host immune response, nutrition, and metabolism in <i>Schistosoma</i> parasite-host interactions

Abstract

Human schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of people, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, is caused by a parasitic worm of the Schistosoma genus that resides in the veins of its host for many years. In parasite-host interactions, there is competition for survival between the parasite and its host because the parasite depends completely on the host for the maintenance of homeostasis. The host must protect itself from the harm caused by parasites in the process of obtaining food and shelter by attacking parasites with a strong immune defence system. Parasites have evolved strategies to survive in these unfavourable conditions created by the host. In this review, we examined the host immune response in Schistosoma parasite infection, the immune evasion mechanisms of Schistosoma parasites, nutrients, and the metabolic dependency of the parasite on the host.