A gut feeling: How can gastrointestinal bacterial infections alter female reproductive tract immunity and control of sexually transmitted infections

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly prevalent amongst women in low- and middle-income countries, where they have a devastating impact on women's health and places financial strain on health care systems. Importantly, other infections are also common in these regions, making co-infections likely to occur. Previous studies have shown that gastrointestinal (GI) infections can change immunity and control of unrelated infections at other biological compartments. Bacterial infections of the GI system are common in regions with high rates of STIs, and can cause systemic inflammation. However, little is known about how GI bacterial infections affect immunity in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and susceptibility to infections. We have previously used mouse infection models to that helminth infections can indirectly change FRT immunity and this had a detrimental effect on STI disease. In this study, I will investigate the effects of a remote GI bacterial infection on FRT immunity, how this affects control of common STIs, as well as the effects on fertility. The proposed research will build an important foundation for future human studies. A better understanding of the indirect influences on FRT health, will significantly contribute to STI prevention and treatment in the future.