Effects of Genetic polymorphism in susceptibility to schistosomiasis infection and adverse treatment outcomes

TL;DR

This paper reviews how genetic differences affect susceptibility to schistosomiasis and treatment outcomes.

Contribution

The paper highlights the role of the Th2 immune response gene cluster on chromosome 5q31–q33 in schistosomiasis susceptibility.

Findings

Genetic polymorphism influences susceptibility to schistosomiasis and treatment outcomes.

The Th2 cluster gene on chromosome 5q31–q33 is linked to increased risk of schistosomiasis.

Environmental factors like age, gender, and infections also affect susceptibility.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a serious tropical disease that is undiagnosed (Neglected tropical disease -NTD). The only disease with a more detrimental socio-economic impact than its causative agent is malaria. Over 250 million individuals are presently afflicted with Schistosomiasis haematobium, and an additional 779 million people are at risk of infection in regions where the disease is endemic. Africa is home to many incidences, which account for roughly 90% of infections. Every year in underdeveloped nations, schistosomiasis claims the lives of 11,700 people and disables over 3.3 million others. The parasite is still dangerous everywhere in the world, even in non-endemic places. This review delves deeply into genetic polymorphism and its different forms. It also addresses genetic polymorphism to susceptibility. It has been found that environmental factors are among the many variables that influence susceptibility to schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis susceptibility is influenced by age, gender, and even pathological infections. The primary locus SM1, situated on chromosome 5q31-q33, regulates the extent of S. mansoni and S. haematobium infection by including multiple genes associated with the Th2 immune response. The chromosome 5q31–q33 Th2 cluster gene, which regulates the synthesis of interleukin 13, interleukin 4, and interleukin 5, is primarily linked to an increased risk of developing schistosomiasis.

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