The Potential Nexus between Helminths and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Literature Review

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Al-Kuraishy H.M.; Al-Gareeb A.I.; Alkazmi L.; El-Bouseary M.M.; Hamad R.S.; Abdelhamid M.; Batiha G.E.-S.

Journal: Journal of Immunology Research

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Publication Date: 20 June 2023

Volume / Issue: Volume 2023

Article No.: 5544819

ISSN: 23148861

DOI: 10.1155/2023/5544819

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 37383608

Document Type: Review

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Al-Kuraishy H.M., Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq; Al-Gareeb A.I., Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq; Alkazmi L., Biology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; El-Bouseary M.M., Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; Hamad R.S., Biological Sciences Department, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia, Central Laboratory, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt; Abdelhamid M., Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt; Batiha G.E.-S., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, AlBeheira, Damanhour, 22511, Egypt

Abstract

Chronic helminth infections (CHIs) can induce immunological tolerance through the upregulation of regulatory T cells. In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), abnormal adaptive immune response and exaggerated immune response may cause immune-mediated tissue damage. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and CHIs establish complicated immune interactions due to SARS-CoV-2-induced immunological stimulation and CHIs-induced immunological tolerance. However, COVID-19 severity in patients with CHIs is mild, as immune-suppressive anti-inflammatory cytokines counterbalance the risk of cytokine storm. Since CHIs have immunomodulatory effects, therefore, this narrative review aimed to clarify how CHIs modulate the immunoinflammatory response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. CHIs, through helminth-derived molecules, may suppress SARS-CoV-2 entry and associated hyperinflammation through attenuation of the inflammatory signaling pathway. In addition, CHIs may reduce the COVID-19 severity by reducing the SARS-CoV-2 entry points in the initial phase and immunomodulation in the late phase of the disease by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, CHIs may reduce the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing hyperinflammation and exaggerated immune response. Thus, retrospective and prospective studies are recommended in this regard. © 2023 Hayder M. Al-kuraishy et al.

Keywords

Animals; COVID-19; Cytokines; Helminths; Humans; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; cryopyrin; cytokine; immunomodulating agent; inflammasome; coronavirus disease 2019; cytokine storm; disease severity; eosinopenia; helminth; helminthiasis; human; immune response; immunomodulation; nonhuman; outcome assessment; Review; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; signal transduction; virus entry; animal; prospective study; retrospective study

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 6

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