Repeat Ascaris challenge reduces worm intensity through gastric cellular reprograming.

ABSTRACT: Ascariasis (roundworm) is the most prevalent parasitic nematode infection worldwide, impacting approximately 500 million people predominantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While people of all ages are infected with Ascaris, infection intensity (defined by worm burden) paradoxically peaks in pre-school and school-aged children but then declines with age. The cause of age-dependent Ascaris worm intensity is not well understood but may be dependent on cellular changes in mucosal barrier sites. We have previously found that the gastric mucosa is a critical barrier site for Ascaris infection as ingested Ascaris larvae use acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) secreted by gastric chief cells and acid secreted by gastric parietal cells to hatch. After hatching, larvae translocate acr

SUBMITTER: Wu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12151467 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature