Implications of host sex on liver metabolism during Schistosoma mansoni Infection

Various studies suggest that host gender is a disease-determining factor in schistosomiasis. Men have a higher prevalence in endemic areas and show a greater degree of liver damage in chronic infection with Schistosoma mansoni. It is currently unclear whether this is only due to socioeconomic causes, such as the working environment and behavior. It was recently suggested that molecular biological differences in the infected host could also contribute to the disease. Current studies in model systems suggest that hormonal influences affect liver metabolism during infection with S. mansoni. In particular, a metabolic recycling process in the cell, known as autophagy, could be altered in a sex-specific manner and influence the course of the disease. It is suspected that the differences in metabolism in the liver of S. mansoni-infected hosts could contribute to cell stress and thus to organ damage on the molecular level. This article summarizes and discusses known and new aspects of the gender-specific influence on liver metabolism in S. mansoni infection.