The interplay between helminth infections and the female reproductive tract (FRT) is a critical area of research, particularly in the context of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2030 agenda for the elimination of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are on the rise globally, with over 1 million new infections occurring daily. Sub-Saharan Africa bears more than 40% of the global burden of STIs and is also heavily affected by helminth infections, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Helminthic infections modulate the host’s immune system to ensure their survival, inducing type 2 and regulatory immune responses that have systemic effects on unrelated diseases, including bacterial and viral co-infections such as HIV and HPV. Despite the significant impact of helminths on the immune system, their influence on the FRT and subsequent control of STIs remains underexplored. Current studies have highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of how helminth infections might affect the prevalence and management of STIs, particularly in regions with high co-infection rates.

This research topic aims to determine the impact of infections with different helminth species on the FRT and their potential influence on the control of subsequent STIs. The collection will explore these effects through human studies and experimental animal infection models. By integrating epidemiological data, such as the prevalence of STIs and mapping of co-infections, with sociodemographic and immunological data, the research topic seeks to uncover systemic changes and identify the cellular key players and signaling pathways involved during different infections.

This comprehensive approach aims to answer critical questions about the interplay between helminth infections and STIs, ultimately contributing to better preventive health care strategies, including vaccination and mass drug administration programs in affected areas.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of this research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Epidemiological studies on the prevalence of STIs and helminth co-infections
- Mapping of co-infections in different demographic regions
- Preventive health care strategies, including vaccination and mass drug administration programs
- Immunological studies focusing on systemic changes induced by helminth infections, the impact of infections with different helminth species on the FRT, and their potential influence on the control of subsequent STIs
- Identification of cellular key players and signaling pathways during helminth and STI co-infections
- Experimental animal models to study the impact of helminth infections on the FRT
- Sociodemographic factors influencing the prevalence and management of STIs and helminth infections.

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Interplay of Helminths and the Female Reproductive Tract