Systemic effects of gastrointestinal helminth infection on vaginal immunity
30 October 2024
Dr Alisha Chetty completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2012 at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), and graduated with a PhD in Clinical Sciences and Immunology in 2019 from the University of Cape Town (UCT). She is currently a UKRI/MRC African Research Leader Fellow in the Division of Immunology at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), UCT. Her research focuses on the influence of distal mucosal infections and inflammation on female genital health and fertility. She has been funded by MRC UK to explore how gastrointestinal bacterial infections alter female reproductive tract (FRT) immunity and control of sexually transmitted infections (sT|s).
These studies aim to understand the effects of intestinal infections on the immune balance in the female genital tract. The impact of STis are taking a toll on women’s health and are a strain on healthcare systems especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr Chetty has published in highly prestigious international journals including Cell Host & Microbe, Science Advances, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.