Consequences of helminth infections during pregnancy and lactation

For the vast majority of helminth infections, transmission from mother to foetus is the exception rather than the rule. Only for Toxocara spp., Strongyloides spp., Ancylostoma caninum, Alaria spp. and Pharyngostomoides spp., vertical transmission appears to be a major route of transmission, however, the pathological consequences of these infections are rather minor. More important is that during pregnancy and lactation mothers experience a temporary depression of the immune status that results in a greater susceptibility to helminth infections. The nutritional disturbance in the mother may result in lower birth weights and poor growth of offspring's. Indirectly, increased egg excretion during the PPR will, especially in sheep, affect the offspring's, as it is a major source of pasture larval contamination. Finally, the diffusion of maternal antibodies, circulating parasitic antigens, immune cells, cytokines and other cell products to the foetus/neonate may stimulate or depress the foetal/neonatal immune response.

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