{ "abstract": "This study aimed to identify and compare the sex-specific immune, hematological, and environmental factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection in a rural Zambian setting. This community-based cross-sectional study enrolled participants from rural Zambia. Schistosoma haematobium infection was diagnosed microscopically from urine. Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts and cytokines via ELISA. Data were analyzed using sex-stratified logistic regression models in StatCrunch, with multivariable models restricted to a limited number of predictors based on events-per-variable considerations to improve stability. The analysis included 51 male and 92 female participants. In the multivariable model, for males, only access to clean water remained independently associated with schistosomiasis infection (aOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00–0.34, p = 0.0040). For females, the final model identified access to clean water (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01–0.93, p = 0.0440), reporting any symptoms (aOR = 19.2, 95% CI: 3.17–116.4, p = 0.0010), elevated IL-4 (aOR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, p < 0.0001), and lower hemoglobin (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28–0.83, p = 0.0080) as independent correlates of infection. The correlates of schistosomiasis infection appear to differ by sex. While environmental exposure is a key driver for males, the female profile reflects a combination of environmental, immunological, and hematological factors. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex-specific patterns in schistosomiasis research; however, given the cross-sectional design and limited sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in larger, longitudinal studies.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone, Zambia", "Department of Pathology, Livingstone Center for Prevention and Translational Science, Livingstone, Zambia", "Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI), Capital Park, Pretoria, South Africa", "Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Pretoria & Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa", "Department of Economics, Livingstone Center for Prevention and Translational Science, Livingstone, Zambia" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 10, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "David Chisompola", "orcid": "0000-0002-3765-0635" }, { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Reggison Phiri" }, { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Emmanuel L. Luwaya", "orcid": "0000-0001-9518-2422" }, { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Martin Chakulya" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "Lukundo Siame", "orcid": "0009-0002-4810-7352" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "Bislom C. Mweene" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "Benson M. Hamooya" }, { "affs": [ 2, 3 ], "name": "Joseph M. Chalwe", "orcid": "0000-0001-9148-9224" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Joreen P. Povia" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "Sepiso K. Masenga", "orcid": "0000-0003-4376-5831" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am3rc1yqdfy57.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692", "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692", "id": "am3rc1yqdfy57", "issns": [ "2767-3375" ], "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692", "language": "en", "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "article", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "heading", "Anemia" ], [ "heading", "Animals" ], [ "heading", "Biochemistry" ], [ "heading", "Biology and Life Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Cytokines" ], [ "heading", "Developmental Biology" ], [ "heading", "Earth Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Eukaryota" ], [ "heading", "Helminth Infections" ], [ "heading", "Helminths" ], [ "heading", "Hematology" ], [ "heading", "Hemoglobin" ], [ "heading", "Hydrology" ], [ "heading", "Immune Physiology" ], [ "heading", "Immune Response" ], [ "heading", "Immune System" ], [ "heading", "Immunology" ], [ "heading", "Innate Immune System" ], [ "heading", "Invertebrates" ], [ "heading", "Medical Conditions" ], [ "heading", "Medicine and Health Sciences" ], [ "heading", "Molecular Development" ], [ "heading", "Neglected Tropical Diseases" ], [ "heading", "Organisms" ], [ "heading", "Parasitic Diseases" ], [ "heading", "Physiology" ], [ "heading", "Proteins" ], [ "heading", "Research Article" ], [ "heading", "Schistosoma" ], [ "heading", "Schistosoma Haematobium" ], [ "heading", "Schistosomiasis" ], [ "heading", "Surface Water" ], [ "heading", "Tropical Diseases" ], [ "heading", "Zoology" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Hemoglobin" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Molecular development/Cytokines" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune response" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune system/Innate immune system/Cytokines" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Invertebrates/Helminths/Schistosoma/Schistosoma haematobium" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Immune physiology/Cytokines" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Invertebrates/Helminths/Schistosoma/Schistosoma haematobium" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Environmental health/Sanitation" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Hematology" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Hematology/Anemia" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune response" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune system/Innate immune system/Cytokines" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Parasitic diseases/Helminth infections/Schistosomiasis" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Tropical diseases/Neglected tropical diseases/Schistosomiasis" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Environmental health/Sanitation" ] ], "openalex": null, "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692&type=printable", "pmcid": "PMC13734442", "pmid": "42981302", "published": "2026-11-04", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am3rc1yqdfy57.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:20:11Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692", "source": "plos", "url": "https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692" }, { "first_seen": "2026-11-08T12:23:57Z", "native_id": "PMC13734442", "source": "pmc", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0005692" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biochemistry", "origin": "heading:Biochemistry", "subfield": "general" }, { "field": "biology", "origin": "heading:Developmental Biology", "subfield": "developmental-biology" }, { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:immunology", "subfield": "immunology" }, { "field": "earth", "origin": "heading:Hydrology", "subfield": "hydrology-soils" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "heading:Physiology", "subfield": "physiology" } ], "title": "Sex-specific correlates of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a rural Zambian setting: A pilot study focusing on immune and hematological factors", "title_text": "Sex-specific correlates of Schistosoma haematobium infection in a rural Zambian setting: A pilot study focusing on immune and hematological factors", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-11-08T12:23:57Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/am3rc1yqdfy57", "venue": "PLOS Global Public Health", "versions": [] }