Relation between Schistosome past Infection and Metabolic Syndrome

Schistosome antigens modulate host metabolic profiles in experimental animals. The effects of previous schistosome infection (PSI) and the development of metabolic syndrome remain unknown in humans. This study evaluated previous schistosome infection (PSI) related to metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 547 participants aged ≥40 years from rural areas of Zagazig district were enrolled. Of them, 269 patients with PSI and 305 normal served as controls. For all participants blood pressure, height, body weight and waist circumstance (WC) were measured. Blood samples were examined biochemically to determine triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Associations between PSI and MS were evaluated using logistic regression. Patients with PSI had significantly lower levels of body mass index (BMI), WC, TG, insignificantly low levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and significantly higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with controls. Prevalence of MS in PSI was significantly low than controls (32.7% vs. 42.3% respectively). PSI significantly associated with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components, including central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C. Potential long-term effects of PSI may reduce metabolic syndrome risk