Cumulative host energetic costs of soil-transmitted helminth infection.

The health consequences of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are often attributed to parasite-caused tissue damage and nutrient loss, combined with immune energy costs. However, this view overlooks additional pathways by which infection can alter host energetics. Here, we take a first step toward defining this suite of energetic pathways and clarifying their cumulative impact on health. We consider how STH characteristics and human variation influence host-parasite interactions, as well as the initial and downstream energetic costs of infection. We conclude by discussing how complex biological, cultural, and temporal factors may affect host energetics, and explore promising avenues for future research. Our goal is to provide an integrative framework for more comprehensively measuring and addressing the energetic consequences of STH infection.