TY - JOUR KW - Leishmaniasis KW - Chagas disease KW - African trypanosomiasis KW - Hormones KW - Sex-bias infection KW - Immune response KW - Genetics KW - Behavior KW - Neglected tropical disease KW - Leishmania AU - Battistoni O AU - Huston RH AU - Verma C AU - Pacheco-Fernandez T AU - Abul-Khoudoud S AU - Campbell A AU - Satoskar AR AB -
Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease (CD), and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are neglected tropical diseases in humans caused by intracellular parasites from the class Kinetoplastida. Leishmaniasis is one infectious disease that exhibits sex-bias not explained solely by behavioral or cultural differences. However, HAT and CD have less well documented and understood sex-related differences, either due to a lack of differences or insufficient research and reporting. This paper reviews the rate of disease and disease severity among male and females infected with CD, HAT, and leishmaniasis. We further review the specific immune response to each pathogen and potential sex-based mechanisms which could impact immune responses and disease outcomes. These mechanisms include sex hormone modulation of the immune response, sex-related genetic differences, and socio-cultural factors impacting risky behaviors in men and women. The mechanistic differences in immune response among sexes and pathogens provide important insights and identification of areas for further research. This information can aid in future development of inclusive, targeted, safe, and effective treatments and control measures for these neglected diseases and other infectious diseases.
BT - Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine DO - 10.1017/erm.2024.41 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease (CD), and Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) are neglected tropical diseases in humans caused by intracellular parasites from the class Kinetoplastida. Leishmaniasis is one infectious disease that exhibits sex-bias not explained solely by behavioral or cultural differences. However, HAT and CD have less well documented and understood sex-related differences, either due to a lack of differences or insufficient research and reporting. This paper reviews the rate of disease and disease severity among male and females infected with CD, HAT, and leishmaniasis. We further review the specific immune response to each pathogen and potential sex-based mechanisms which could impact immune responses and disease outcomes. These mechanisms include sex hormone modulation of the immune response, sex-related genetic differences, and socio-cultural factors impacting risky behaviors in men and women. The mechanistic differences in immune response among sexes and pathogens provide important insights and identification of areas for further research. This information can aid in future development of inclusive, targeted, safe, and effective treatments and control measures for these neglected diseases and other infectious diseases.
PB - Cambridge University Press (CUP) PY - 2025 SP - 1 EP - 46 T2 - Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine TI - Understanding Sex-biases in Kinetoplastid Infections: Leishmaniasis & Trypanosomiasis UR - https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E650E421806F0C274BC6B596114D3694/S1462399424000413a.pdf/understanding_sexbiases_in_kinetoplastid_infections_leishmaniasis_trypanosomiasis.pdf SN - 1462-3994 ER -