Helminth coinfections mitigate clinical, parasitological, and immune outcomes in Mozambican children with malaria

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: immune responses characterized by production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IgE, and IgG4, which could potentially interfere with malaria outcomes and immune responses. METHODS: We recruited 441 malaria-symptomatic children aged 2-10 years attending two hospitals in the Manhiça District (Mozambique) and assessed infection by rapid antigen diagnostic test, microscopy, and/or quantitative PCR. Using Luminex, we measured concentrations of 30 cytokines and IgA, IgM, IgE, IgG, and IgG1-4 levels against 12 P. falciparum antigens and total IgE. RESULTS: Among 74 children diagnosed with malaria, 22% (16) were coinfected with STH, and 78% (58) had only P. falciparum. Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) coinfection associated with lower P. falciparum density (P = 0.005) and fever (P = 0.047). Coinfected children also had lower concentrations of plasma pro-inflammatory (IL-8, TNF, IFNα, IP-10, MCP1, MIG, MIP1β, and GM-CSF) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-5, IL-10) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, antibody responses to a set of P. falciparum antigens, including SSP2 (IgG1, IgG4, IgG), PTRAMP (IgG3), MSP3 (IgG), RH5 (IgG1), and α-gal (IgG1), as well as total IgE, were elevated in STH coinfected children (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: STH infections were associated with decreased P. falciparum parasitemia, downregulation of inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced antibody responses, potentially resulting in milder malaria episodes, suggesting enhanced protective immunity.

Source: BMC Medicine

DOI: 10.1186/s12916-026-04827-7

Authors: Inocência Cuamba, Rebeca Santano, Berta Grau-Pujol, Marta Vidal, Ruth Aguilar, Anélsio Cossa, Chenjerai Jairoce, Rojelio Mejia, Augusto Nhabomba, Jose Muñoz, Gemma Moncunill, Carlota Dobaño

Institutions: Manhiça Health Research Centre, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Universitat de Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Infecciosas, Baylor College of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Malaria Research and Control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funders: United States Agency for International Development, Fundación Ramón Areces, Centres de Recerca de Catalunya, European Commission, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Fundación Mundo Sano, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, European Regional Development Fund, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, European Social Fund

OpenAlex ID: W7143888593