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Wolday D, Ndungu FM, Gómez-Pérez GP, de Wit TFR. Chronic Immune Activation and CD4 + T Cell Lymphopenia in Healthy African Individuals: Perspectives for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Efficacy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:693269. [PMID: 34220854 PMCID: PMC8249933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.693269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic immune activation has been considered as the driving force for CD4+ T cell depletion in people infected with HIV-1. Interestingly, the normal immune profile of adult HIV-negative individuals living in Africa also exhibit chronic immune activation, reminiscent of that observed in HIV-1 infected individuals. It is characterized by increased levels of soluble immune activation markers, such as the cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and cellular activation markers including HLA-DR, CD-38, CCR5, coupled with reduced naïve and increased memory cells in CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. In addition, it is accompanied by low CD4+ T cell counts when compared to Europeans. There is also evidence that mononuclear cells from African infants secrete less innate cytokines than South and North Americans and Europeans in vitro. Chronic immune activation in Africans is linked to environmental factors such as parasitic infections and could be responsible for previously observed immune hypo-responsiveness to infections and vaccines. It is unclear whether the immunogenicity and effectiveness of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will also be reduced by similar mechanisms. A review of studies investigating this phenomenon is urgently required as they should inform the design and delivery for vaccines to be used in African populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawit Wolday
- Department of Medicine, Mekelle University College of Health Sciences, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Francis M. Ndungu
- Department of Global Health, Kenyan Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) – Wellcome Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gloria P. Gómez-Pérez
- Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development, Department of Global Health, Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tobias F. Rinke de Wit
- Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development, Department of Global Health, Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Joep-Lange Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Salam RA, Das JK, Bhutta ZA. Effect of mass deworming with antihelminthics for soil-transmitted helminths during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 5:CD005547. [PMID: 33998661 PMCID: PMC8127571 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd005547.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminthiasis is an infestation of the human body with parasitic worms. It is estimated to affect 44 million pregnancies, globally, each year. Intestinal helminthiasis (hookworm infestation) is associated with blood loss and decreased supply of nutrients for erythropoiesis, resulting in iron-deficiency anaemia. Over 50% of the pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) suffer from iron-deficiency anaemia. Though iron-deficiency anaemia is multifactorial, hookworm infestation is a major contributory cause in women of reproductive age in endemic areas. Antihelminthics are highly efficacious, but evidence of their beneficial effect and safety when given during pregnancy has not been established. This is an update of a Cochrane Review last published in 2015. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of mass deworming with antihelminthics for soil-transmitted helminths (STH) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy on maternal and pregnancy outcomes. SEARCH METHODS For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (8 March 2021) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included all prospective randomised controlled trials evaluating the effect of administration of antihelminthics versus placebo or no treatment during the second or third trimester of pregnancy; both individual-randomised and cluster-randomised trials were eligible. We excluded quasi-randomised trials and studies that were only available as abstracts with insufficient information. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data, checked accuracy and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We included a total of six trials (24 reports) that randomised 7873 pregnant women. All of the included trials were conducted in antenatal clinics within hospitals in LMICs (Uganda, Nigeria, Peru, India, Sierra Leone and Tanzania). Among primary outcomes, five trials reported maternal anaemia, one trial reported preterm birth and three trials reported perinatal mortality. Among secondary outcomes, included trials reported maternal worm prevalence, low birthweight (LBW) and birthweight. None of the included studies reported maternal anthropometric measures or infant survival at six months. Overall, we judged the included trials to be generally at low risk of bias for most domains, while the certainty of evidence ranged from low to moderate. Analysis suggests that administration of a single dose of antihelminthics in the second trimester of pregnancy may reduce maternal anaemia by 15% (average risk ratio (RR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 1.00; I²= 86%; 5 trials, 5745 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of antihelminthics during pregnancy on preterm birth (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.86; 1 trial, 1042 participants; low-certainty evidence) or perinatal mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.52; 3 trials, 3356 participants; low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect of antihelminthics during pregnancy on hookworm (average RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.93; Tau² = 1.76, I² = 99%; 2 trials, 2488 participants; low-certainty evidence). Among other secondary outcomes, findings suggest that administration of antihelminthics during pregnancy may reduce the prevalence of trichuris (average RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.98; I²=75%; 2 trials, 2488 participants; low-certainty evidence) and ascaris (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.29; I²= 0%; 2 trials, 2488 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Antihelminthics during pregnancy probably make little or no difference to LBW (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.16; 3 trials, 2960 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and birthweight (mean difference 0.00 kg, 95% CI -0.03 kg to 0.04 kg; 3 trials, 2960 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence suggests that administration of a single dose of antihelminthics in the second trimester of pregnancy may reduce maternal anaemia and worm prevalence when used in settings with high prevalence of maternal helminthiasis. Further data is needed to establish the benefit of antihelminthic treatment on other maternal and pregnancy outcomes. Future research should focus on evaluating the effect of these antihelminthics among various subgroups in order to assess whether the effect varies. Future studies could also assess the effectiveness of co-interventions and health education along with antihelminthics for maternal and pregnancy outcomes.
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MESH Headings
- Female
- Humans
- Pregnancy
- Albendazole/administration & dosage
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/parasitology
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/prevention & control
- Anthelmintics/administration & dosage
- Bias
- Helminthiasis/drug therapy
- Helminthiasis/transmission
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy
- Iron Compounds/administration & dosage
- Perinatal Mortality
- Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/parasitology
- Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/prevention & control
- Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/drug therapy
- Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/etiology
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Pregnancy Trimester, Second
- Pregnancy Trimester, Third
- Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
- Soil/parasitology
- Infant, Newborn
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehana A Salam
- Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jai K Das
- Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Ness TE, Agrawal V, Bedard K, Ouellette L, Erickson TA, Hotez P, Weatherhead JE. Maternal Hookworm Infection and Its Effects on Maternal Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1958-1968. [PMID: 32840198 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that infects nearly 230 million people, with another 5.1 billion at risk, especially in poverty-stricken tropical and subtropical regions. Pregnancy is an especially vulnerable time for hookworm infection because of its effect on both maternal and subsequently fetal health. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. The meta-analysis was performed on the association between maternal hookworm and maternal anemia, as well as maternal hookworm coinfection with malaria. The prevalence of hookworm ranged from 1% to 78% in pregnant women, whereas malaria prevalence ranged from 11% to 81%. Pregnant women with hookworm infection were more likely to have anemia (combined odds ratio [cOR] 2.55 [2.20, 2.96], P < 0.001). In addition, pregnant woman with hookworm were more likely to have malaria coinfection (cOR 1.60 [1.38, 1.86], P < 0.001). Other effects on maternal and child health were investigated and summarized without systematic review or meta-analysis because of the limited study numbers. Despite current deworming recommendations in pregnant women, heavy hookworm burden, coinfection with malaria, and subsequent anemia persist. Although this is likely due, in part, to a lack of implementation of preventive chemotherapy, additional interventions such as health education, proper waste management, or linking malaria and soil-transmitted helminth treatment and prevention programs may also be needed. Further investigations on maternal-child outcomes as a result of hookworm infection during pregnancy will highlight public health interventional targets to reduce morbidity in pregnant women and children globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Ness
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Vedika Agrawal
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kathryn Bedard
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Timothy A Erickson
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter Hotez
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.,National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jill E Weatherhead
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Bengu MD, Dorsamy V, Moodley J. Schistosomiasis infections in South African pregnant women: A review. S Afr J Infect Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v35i1.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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5
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Menon S, Rodolfo R, Akudibillah G, Dusabimana A, Harmon S, Mabeya H. Effects of malaria/helminthic coinfections on cervical cancer progression among sub Saharan African women on highly active antiretroviral therapy: A scoping review. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2019; 29:64-69. [PMID: 31360742 PMCID: PMC6639590 DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2019.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In Africa, the HIV prevalence in rural areas has begun to reach levels estimated within urban settings, where women are also more at risk for both malaria and intestinal parasitic infections. The objective of this review is to assess whether concomitant infections with malaria and/or helminthic diseases have an impact on cervical disease progression in women on HAART. This scoping review was conducted in August 2018. To conduct this scoping review, we searched the relevant studies in electronic databases such as PUBMED, Global Health, EMBASE, CINAHL and SCOPUS published in the year between 1960 and 2018 using the following search terms HAART AND malaria OR Helminth and Female OR women. Eight studies qualified for this review. The literature underscores the need for women on HAART with multiple co-infections to use adjuncts to retain immune recovery and undetectable HIV viral load, to reduce risk of cervical disease progression. A trend for higher risk of CIN3+ in HIV+ women reporting recent malarial infection was observed in one study. Given the public health impact of synergistic interactions between malaria and helminthic infections in HIV/HPV co-infected women on HAART, it is urgent that these interactions are elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Menon
- International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 P3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Social Solutions International, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Rossi Rodolfo
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Stacy Harmon
- Georgia State University Alumni, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hillary Mabeya
- International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 P3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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6
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Gyorkos TW, St-Denis K. Systematic review of exposure to albendazole or mebendazole during pregnancy and effects on maternal and child outcomes, with particular reference to exposure in the first trimester. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:541-554. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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7
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Dejon-Agobé JC, Zinsou JF, Honkpehedji YJ, Ateba-Ngoa U, Edoa JR, Adegbite BR, Mombo-Ngoma G, Agnandji ST, Ramharter M, Kremsner PG, Lell B, Grobusch MP, Adegnika AA. Schistosoma haematobium effects on Plasmodium falciparum infection modified by soil-transmitted helminths in school-age children living in rural areas of Gabon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006663. [PMID: 30080853 PMCID: PMC6095623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria burden remains high in the sub-Saharan region where helminths are prevalent and where children are often infected with both types of parasites. Although the effect of helminths on malaria infection is evident, the impact of these co-infections is not clearly elucidated yet and the scarce findings are conflicting. In this study, we investigated the effect of schistosomiasis, considering soil-transmitted helminths (STH), on prevalence and incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infection. METHODOLOGY This longitudinal survey was conducted in school-age children living in two rural communities in the vicinity of Lambaréné, Gabon. Thick blood smear light microscopy, urine filtration and the Kato-Katz technique were performed to detect malaria parasites, S. haematobium eggs and, STH eggs, respectively. P. falciparum carriage was assessed at inclusion, and incidence of malaria and time to the first malaria event were recorded in correlation with Schistosoma carriage status. Stratified multivariate analysis using generalized linear model was used to assess the risk of plasmodium infection considering interaction with STH, and survival analysis to assess time to malaria. MAIN FINDINGS The overall prevalence on subject enrolment was 30%, 23% and 9% for S. haematobium, P. falciparum infections and co-infection with both parasites, respectively. Our results showed that schistosomiasis in children tends to increase the risk of plasmodium infection but a combined effect with Trichuris trichiura or hookworm infection clearly increase the risk (aOR = 3.9 [95%CI: 1.7-9.2]). The incidence of malaria over time was 0.51[95%CI: 0.45-0.57] per person-year and was higher in the Schistosoma-infected group compared to the non-infected group (0.61 vs 0.43, p = 0.02), with a significant delay of time-to first-malaria event only in children aged from 6 to 10-years-old infected with Schistosoma haematobium. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that STH enhance the risk for P. falciparum infection in schistosomiasis-positive children, and when infected, that schistosomiasis enhances susceptibility to developing malaria in young children but not in older children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Claude Dejon-Agobé
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ulysse Ateba-Ngoa
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Jean-Ronald Edoa
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Bayodé Roméo Adegbite
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Departement de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université des Sciences de la Santé, Owendo, Gabon
| | - Selidji Todagbe Agnandji
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen and Partner site Tübingen, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael Ramharter
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I, Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gottfried Kremsner
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen and Partner site Tübingen, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen and Partner site Tübingen, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Peter Grobusch
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen and Partner site Tübingen, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ayôla Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherche Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL) and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen and Partner site Tübingen, German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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8
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Schwartz C, Hams E, Fallon PG. Helminth Modulation of Lung Inflammation. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:388-403. [PMID: 29339033 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic helminths must establish chronic infections to complete their life cycle and therefore are potent modulators of multiple facets of host physiology. Parasitic helminths have coevolved with humans to become arguably master selectors of our immune system, whereby they have impacted on the selection of genes with beneficial mutations for both host and parasite. While helminth infections of humans are a significant health burden, studies have shown that helminths or helminth products can alter susceptibility to unrelated infectious or inflammatory diseases. This has generated interest in the use of helminth infections or molecules as therapeutics. In this review, we focus on the impact of helminth infections on pulmonary immunity, especially with regard to homeostatic lung function, pulmonary viral and bacterial (co)infections, and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schwartz
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Emily Hams
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Padraic G Fallon
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Evans EE, Siedner MJ. Tropical Parasitic Infections in Individuals Infected with HIV. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2017; 4:268-280. [PMID: 33842194 PMCID: PMC8034600 DOI: 10.1007/s40475-017-0130-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Neglected tropical diseases share both geographic and socio-behavioral epidemiological risk factors with HIV infection. In this literature review, we describe interactions between parasitic diseases and HIV infection, with a focus on the impact of parasitic infections on HIV infection risk and disease progression, and the impact of HIV infection on clinical characteristics of tropical parasitic infections. We limit our review to tropical parasitic infections of the greatest public health burden, and exclude discussion of classic HIV-associated opportunistic infections that have been well reviewed elsewhere. RECENT FINDINGS Tropical parasitic infections, HIV-infection, and treatment with antiretroviral therapy alter host immunity, which can impact susceptibility, transmissibility, diagnosis, and severity of both HIV and parasitic infections. These relationships have a broad range of consequences, from putatively increasing susceptibility to HIV acquisition, as in the case of schistosomiasis, to decreasing risk of protozoal infections through pharmacokinetic interactions between antiretroviral therapy and antiparasitic agents, as in the case of malaria. However, despite this intimate interplay in pathophysiology and a broad overlap in epidemiology, there is a general paucity of data on the interactions between HIV and tropical parasitic infections, particularly in the era of widespread antiretroviral therapy availability. SUMMARY Additional data are needed to motivate clinical recommendations for detection and management of parasitic infections in HIV-infected individuals, and to consider the implications of and potential opportunity granted by HIV treatment programs on parasitic disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology
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10
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Hagge DA, Parajuli P, Kunwar CB, Rana DRSJB, Thapa R, Neupane KD, Nicholls P, Adams LB, Geluk A, Shah M, Napit IB. Opening a Can of Worms: Leprosy Reactions and Complicit Soil-Transmitted Helminths. EBioMedicine 2017; 23:119-124. [PMID: 28882756 PMCID: PMC5605364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background > 94% of new annual leprosy cases are diagnosed in populations co-endemic for soil-transmitted helminths (STH). STH can profoundly dysregulate host immune responses towards Th2 bias, which can be restored over time after deworming. We hypothesize that STH co-infection is associated with leprosy reaction (denoted as simply “reaction” herein) occurrence within a co-endemic population. Methods A cohort study was performed on a cohort of Nepalese leprosy patients across treatment and diagnostic classifications who were screened by routine fecal smear microscopy and multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Ascaris lumbricoides (Al), Strongyloides stercoralis (Ss), Ancyclostoma duodenale (Ad) and Necator americanus (Na). Results Among 145 patients, 55% were positive for ≥ 1 STH (STH +): 34% Al +, 18% Ss +, 17% Ad + and 5% Na +. Significant inverse STH and reaction relationships were evidenced by the bulk of cases: 63% reaction-negative were STH + of total cases (p = 0.030) while 65% reaction-positive were STH − in new cases (96; p = 0.023). Strikingly, the majority of STH + were reaction-negative, even when considering each species: 59% Al +, 60% Ss +, 62% Ad + and 67% Na + of new leprosy cases. Conclusions Absence of STH co-infection is associated with leprosy reaction at diagnosis within a co-endemic population. This is likely due to immune reconstitution effects after deworming or interruption of chronic STH-mediated immune dysregulation. Fecal screening by qPCR revealed that 55% of 145 leprosy patients hosted 1 or more soil-transmitted helminth (STH) co-infections STH coinfection was significantly and inversely associated with leprosy reaction Chronic STH-induced immune bias followed by disruption of co-infection, potentially by deworming, may initiate immune reconstitution that can lead to reaction development
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna A Hagge
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Pawan Parajuli
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Chhatra B Kunwar
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Divya R S J B Rana
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ruby Thapa
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Kapil D Neupane
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Peter Nicholls
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Linda B Adams
- Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Systems Bureau, National Hansen's Disease Programs (DHHS/HRSA/HSB/NHDP), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Annemieke Geluk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Mahesh Shah
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Indra B Napit
- Mycobacterial Research Laboratories, Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
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11
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Morawski BM, Yunus M, Kerukadho E, Turyasingura G, Barbra L, Ojok AM, DiNardo AR, Sowinski S, Boulware DR, Mejia R. Hookworm infection is associated with decreased CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected adult Ugandans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005634. [PMID: 28542260 PMCID: PMC5462474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Most studies evaluating epidemiologic relationships between helminths and HIV have been conducted in the pre-ART era, and evidence of the impact of helminth infections on HIV disease progression remains conflicting. Less is known about helminth infection and clinical outcomes in HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sampled HIV-infected adults for eight gastrointestinal parasites and correlated parasitic infection with demographic predictors, and clinical and immunologic outcomes. Contrasting with previous studies, we measured parasitic infection with a quantitative, highly sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This cohort study enrolled HIV-infected Ugandans from August-September 2013 in Mbale, Uganda and collected stool and blood samples at enrollment. Real-time PCR quantified stool: Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia intestinalis infection. Generalized linear models assessed relationships between parasitic infection and clinical or demographic data. 35% of participants (71/202) tested positive for ≥1 helminth, mainly N. americanus (55/199, 28%), and 4.5% (9/202) were infected with ≥2 stool parasites. Participants with hookworm infection had lower average CD4+ cell counts (-94 cells/mcL, 95%CI: -141, -48 cells/mcL; p<0.001) after adjustment for sex, CD4+ nadir at clinic entry, and time on ART. The high prevalence of parasitic infection and correlation with decreased CD4+ concentrations highlight the need to re-examine the effects of invasive helminth co-infection in rural, HIV-infected populations in the era of widely available ART. Elucidating the relationship between hookworm infection and immune recovery could provide opportunities for health optimization, e.g. integrated deworming, in these vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozena M. Morawski
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Miya Yunus
- The AIDS Support Organization, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew R. DiNardo
- Division of Global and Immigrant Health, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Stefanie Sowinski
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- The Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - David R. Boulware
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Rojelio Mejia
- Section of Tropical Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States of America
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminth infections, such as soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis, are prevalent in many countries where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is also common. There is some evidence from observational studies that HIV and helminth co-infection may be associated with higher viral load and lower CD4+ cell counts. Treatment of helminth infections with antihelminthics (deworming drugs) may have benefits for people living with HIV beyond simply clearance of worm infections.This is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2009 and we have expanded it to include outcomes of anaemia and adverse events. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of deworming drugs (antihelminthic therapy) on markers of HIV disease progression, anaemia, and adverse events in children and adults. SEARCH METHODS In this review update, we searched online for published and unpublished studies in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICRTP), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO Global Health Library up to 29 September 2015. We also searched databases listing conference abstracts, scanned reference lists of articles, and contacted the authors of included studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared antihelminthic drugs with placebo or no intervention in HIV-positive people. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trials for eligibility and risk of bias. The primary outcomes were changes in HIV viral load and CD4+ cell count, and secondary outcomes were anaemia, iron deficiency, adverse events, and mortality events. We compared the effects of deworming using mean differences, risk ratios (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. MAIN RESULTS Eight trials met the inclusion criteria of this review, enrolling a total of 1612 participants. Three trials evaluated the effect of providing antihelminthics to all adults with HIV without knowledge of their helminth infection status, and five trials evaluated the effects of providing deworming drugs to HIV-positive individuals with confirmed helminth infections. Seven trials were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and one in Thailand. Antihelminthics for people with unknown helminth infection statusProviding antihelminthics (albendazole and praziquantel together or separately) to HIV-positive adults with unknown helminth infection status may have a small suppressive effect on mean viral load at six weeks but the 95% CI includes the possibility of no effect (difference in mean change -0.14 log10 viral RNA/mL, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.07, P = 0.19; one trial, 166 participants, low quality evidence).Repeated dosing with deworming drugs over two years (albendazole every three months plus annual praziquantel), probably has little or no effect on mean viral load (difference in mean change 0.01 log10 viral RNA, 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.05; one trial, 917 participants, moderate quality evidence), and little or no effect on mean CD4+ count (difference in mean change 2.60 CD4+ cells/µL, 95% CI -10.15 to 15.35; P = 0.7; one trial, 917 participants, low quality evidence). Antihelminthics for people with confirmed helminth infectionsTreating confirmed helminth infections in HIV-positive adults may have a small suppressive effect on mean viral load at six to 12 weeks following deworming (difference in mean change -0.13 log10 viral RNA, 95% CI -0.26 to -0.00; P = 0.04; four trials, 445 participants, low quality evidence). However, this finding is strongly influenced by a single study of praziquantel treatment for schistosomiasis. There may also be a small favourable effect on mean CD4+ cell count at 12 weeks after deworming in HIV-positive populations with confirmed helminth infections (difference in mean change 37.86 CD4+ cells/µL, 95% CI 7.36 to 68.35; P = 0.01; three trials, 358 participants, low quality evidence). Adverse events and mortality There is no indication that antihelminthic drugs impart additional risks in HIV-positive populations. However, adverse events were not well reported (very low quality evidence) and trials were underpowered to evaluate effects on mortality (low quality evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is low quality evidence that treating confirmed helminth infections in HIV-positive adults may have small, short-term favourable effects on markers of HIV disease progression. Further studies are required to confirm this finding. Current evidence suggests that deworming with antihelminthics is not harmful, and this is reassuring for the routine treatment of confirmed or suspected helminth infections in people living with HIV in co-endemic areas.Further long-term studies are required to make confident conclusions regarding the impact of presumptively deworming all HIV-positive individuals irrespective of helminth infection status, as the only long-term trial to date did not demonstrate an effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Burns
- University of WashingtonDepartment of Global HealthSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - David Sinclair
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Clinical SciencesPembroke PlaceLiverpoolUKL3 5QA
| | - Judd L Walson
- University of WashingtonDepartments of Global Health, Medicine (Infectious Disease) and Pediatrics, EpidemiologyBox 359909325 Ninth AvenueSeattleWAUSA98104
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Chami GF, Kontoleon AA, Bulte E, Fenwick A, Kabatereine NB, Tukahebwa EM, Dunne DW. Profiling Nonrecipients of Mass Drug Administration for Schistosomiasis and Hookworm Infections: A Comprehensive Analysis of Praziquantel and Albendazole Coverage in Community-Directed Treatment in Uganda. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 62:200-7. [PMID: 26409064 PMCID: PMC4690482 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated mass drug administration (MDA) with preventive chemotherapies is the mainstay of morbidity control for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths, yet the World Health Organization recently reported that less than one-third of individuals who required preventive chemotherapies received treatment. METHODS Coverage of community-directed treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) and albendazole (ALB) was analyzed in 17 villages of Mayuge District, Uganda. National drug registers, household questionnaires, and parasitological surveys were collected to track 935 individuals before and after MDA. Multilevel logistic regressions, including household and village effects, were specified with a comprehensive set of socioeconomic and parasitological variables. The factors predicting who did not receive PZQ and ALB from community medicine distributors were identified. RESULTS Drug receipt was correlated among members within a household, and nonrecipients of PZQ or ALB were profiled by household-level socioeconomic factors. Individuals were less likely to receive either PZQ or ALB if they had a Muslim household head or low home quality, belonged to the minority tribe, or had settled for more years in their village. Untreated individuals were also more likely to belong to households that did not purify drinking water, had no home latrine, and had no members who were part of the village government. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate how to locate and target individuals who are not treated in MDA. Infection risk factors were not informative. In particular, age, gender, and occupation were unable to identify non-recipients, although World Health Organization guidelines rely on these factors. Individuals of low socioeconomic status, minority religions, and minority tribes can be targeted to expand MDA coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erwin Bulte
- Departments of Land Economy Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
| | - Alan Fenwick
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Narcis B Kabatereine
- Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Imperial College London, United Kingdom Bilharzia and Worm Control Programme, Vector Control Division, Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala
| | - Edridah M Tukahebwa
- Bilharzia and Worm Control Programme, Vector Control Division, Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala
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