Strongyloides questions-a research agenda for the future

Abstract

The Strongyloides genus of parasitic nematodes have a fascinating life cycle and biology, but are also important pathogens of people and a World Health Organization-defined neglected tropical disease. Here, a community of Strongyloides researchers have posed thirteen major questions about Strongyloides biology and infection that sets a Strongyloides research agenda for the future. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.

Keywords: Strongyloides; questions; research.

Figure 1.

The life cycle of Strongyloides, with parasitic female worms inside hosts that produce eggs that pass out of the host, where larvae either develop (i) directly to infective larvae that infect a host and migrate to the host gut, or (ii) indirectly into free-living adult males and females, whose progeny develop into infective larvae, which then infect a host. Strongyloides stercoralis, the parasite of people, also undergoes internal autoinfection. Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 (shown in red) are about specific aspects of the Strongyloides life cycle and are shown at the point in the life cycle where they pertain; Questions 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 do not directly apply to the life cycle, and are shown separately.