Afrifa Justice, Ofori Eric Gyamerah, Opoku Yeboah Kwaku, Asare Kwame Kumi, Sorkpor Rosemary Doe, Naveh-Fio Ibrahim W, Armah Richard, Ofori Sandra, Ephraim Richard K D
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana.
Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2024 Dec 17;2024:9701021. doi: 10.1155/omcl/9701021. eCollection 2024.
Schistosomiasis is considered one of the most devastating parasitic diseases globally, coming second only to malaria in terms of morbidity. The disease-causing parasite can inhabit the body for over a decade, leading to imbalances in the host's metabolic systems. The flukes and their eggs can illicit various immunological and metabolic complications resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These are known to have several devastating effects on the host through increased oxidative stress, DNA mutation, and gene modifications, which can lead to fibrosis and cancer. Here, we discuss oxidative stress and cancer risk in Schistosoma infection. The concept of ROS generation and the complex antioxidant systems that enable the parasite to evade oxidant insults and prolong its life span in the host are explored. Further, the various roles of ROS during the initiation and progression of schistosomiasis and its influence on the host are discussed. Finally, mechanisms linked to the risk of bladder cancer in () infections are elucidated. Finally, we provide an opinion on how some of these mechanisms could give directions for future studies as well as provide a springboard for diagnostics and drug targeting in schistosomiasis.
血吸虫病被认为是全球最具破坏性的寄生虫病之一，就发病率而言仅次于疟疾。致病寄生虫可在宿主体内寄生十多年，导致宿主代谢系统失衡。吸虫及其虫卵可引发各种免疫和代谢并发症，从而产生活性氧（ROS）。众所周知，这些活性氧通过增加氧化应激、DNA突变和基因修饰对宿主产生多种破坏性影响，进而可能导致纤维化和癌症。在此，我们讨论血吸虫感染中的氧化应激和癌症风险。探讨了活性氧生成的概念以及使寄生虫能够逃避氧化损伤并在宿主体内延长寿命的复杂抗氧化系统。此外，还讨论了活性氧在血吸虫病发生和发展过程中的各种作用及其对宿主的影响。最后，阐明了与（）感染中膀胱癌风险相关的机制。最后，我们就其中一些机制如何为未来研究提供方向以及为血吸虫病的诊断和药物靶向提供跳板发表意见。
