A breath of fresh air: impact of insect-borne protozoan parasites on the respiratory system

• Published in: Trends in parasitology 2024-08, Vol.40 (8), p.717-730
• Main Authors: Araujo, Sergio, Mabille, Dorien, Garcia, Alvaro Baeza, Caljon, Guy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Humans; Insect Vectors - parasitology; Insecta - parasitology; Leishmania; Leishmania - physiology; Leishmaniasis - parasitology; Leishmaniasis - transmission; lung; Plasmodium; Plasmodium - physiology; Protozoan Infections - parasitology; Protozoan Infections - transmission; respiratory system; Respiratory System - parasitology; tissue tropism; Trypanosoma; Trypanosoma - physiology
• ISSN: 1471-4922; 1471-5007; 1471-5007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.06.010

Diseases caused by insect-borne protozoan parasites, namely malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, range from subclinical infections to severe illnesses in various hosts, including immunocompetent humans, with a profound impact on public health and economies worldwide.In addition to their usual hemolymphatic invasion and dissemination within the mammalian host, insect-borne protozoan parasites can colonize noncanonical tissues. Cumulative research has shed light on the diverse and complex effects of these pathogens on the respiratory system, which have been largely overlooked.These findings provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of insect-borne protozoan infections and have the potential to impact the development of innovative approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and interruption of the chain of transmission of these devastating diseases. The protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma are transmitted by hematophagous insects and cause severe diseases in humans. These infections pose a global threat, particularly in low-resource settings, and are increasingly extending beyond the current endemic regions. Tropism of parasites is crucial for their development, and recent studies have revealed colonization of noncanonical tissues, aiding their survival and immune evasion. Despite receiving limited attention, cumulative evidence discloses the respiratory system as a significant interface for host–pathogen interactions, influencing the course of (co)infection and disease onset. Due to its pathophysiological and clinical implications, we emphasize that further research is needed to better understand the involvement of the respiratory system and its potential to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and interruption of the chain of transmission. The protozoan parasites Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma are transmitted by hematophagous insects and cause severe diseases in humans. These infections pose a global threat, particularly in low-resource settings, and are increasingly extending beyond the current endemic regions. Tropism of parasites is crucial for their development, and recent studies have revealed colonization of noncanonical tissues, aiding their survival and immune evasion. Despite receiving limited attention, cumulative evidence discloses the respiratory system as a significant interface for host–pathogen interactions, influencing the course of (co)infection and disease onset. Due to its pat