Impact Of Helminth Infections Research Articles

Impact of helminth infections on clinical and epidemiological features of microbial infections, and vaccine responses in ruminants: a systematic review.

Abstract Helminth infections are ubiquitous in animal populations, and their interactions with concurrent or subsequent microbial infections can alter clinical and epidemiological features of infectious diseases and outcomes of vaccines. We used the PRISMA 2009 guidelines to conduct a systematic review of helminth-microbial-pathogen interactions and their impact on epidemiology and clinical outcomes of microbial infections in ruminants. Of the 1,375 probable studies identified through Google Scholar and PubMed databases, 20 studies met our inclusion criteria and were qualitatively analysed. Fourteen studies were on domestic ruminants, while six were on African buffaloes. Individual helminths investigated were Fasciola hepatica (six studies) Haemonchus contortus (three studies), Ostertagia ostertagi (one study) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum (one study), while the rest looked at gastrointestinal nematodes in general. Thirteen studies evaluated interactions between helminths and bovine tuberculosis (BTB), trypanosomes and theileria pathogens while four focused on responses to vaccination against rabies, bovine respiratory pathogens and Bacillus of Calmette-Guérin. Helminths interacted with Trypanosoma spp , Mycobacterium bovis , Theileria parva synergistically to aggravate clinical anaemia as measured by PCV and mortality. Furthermore, concurrent helminth infections were reported to lower the sensitivity of BTB diagnostic tests, but they did not appear to affect antibody responses to vaccines. We envision that helminths may interact with microbial pathogens in a number of ways, but primarily through immune pathways to modify clinical and epidemiological features of infections in ruminants. The implications of these interactions include missed diagnosis, underestimation of disease burden and increased severity of disease outcomes.

Helminth Infection among Children Living in an Urban Area in Tropical Countries: A Systematic Review

Background
 
 Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of preventable and treatable diseases, in which soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common infections worldwide. Most affected are the children and this review aims to identify the prevalence, risk factors and impact of STH in an urban area. 
 
 Methodology
 
 This review was guiding using PRISMA review protocol incorporating the research question of “What is the prevalence, risk factors and impact of helminth infection among urban children in tropical countries?". The databases used in this review include SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, OVID MEDLINE and PUBMED. The articles used include observational and interventional studies conducted among children aged 18 years and less from 2010 to 2020. The main outcome measure was risk factors of STH infection seen in urban children includes social backgrounds, sanitation and policy.
 
 
 Results
 
 From the initial 973 articles found in the database searching, only 13 articles selected for qualitative synthesis after exclusion and screening for eligibility done. The overall prevalence of helminth infection among urban children ranges from 4.8-48.9%. The associated factor that influences helminth infection among children living in an urban area are age, male more common than female, low socioeconomic status, low parents’ education level, living in an urban slum or crowded area, low water quality and sanitation practice and poor hygiene practice. The deworming tablets consumption acts as protective factors for helminth infections. The medium haemoglobin value was significantly lower in helminth-infected children compared to uninfected children and the stunting, underweight as well as moderate acute malnutrition were attributable to helminth infections.
 
 
 Conclusion
 
 The prevalence and intensity of helminthiasis were heterogeneous among urban areas of developing countries, however, the endemicity is still high. Further efforts including healthy policies, continuous national deworming programmes and multi-sectoral partnership are required to reduce the prevalence of helminthiasis in the urban area.

Helminthiasis Identification on Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

Bengal tiger (Panthera Tigris) is a mammal in the big cat family. The decrease in the Bengal tiger population can be caused by helminth infections. The impact of helminth infection on Bengal tiger in short term does not show any clinical symptoms. The examination was carried out to identify gastrointestinal infections in Bengal tiger (Panthera Tigris) conducted at Maharani Zoo Lamongan, East Java. 5 samples of Bengal tiger feces were used for examination purpose. The examination of fecal samples on Bengal tigers was carried out qualitatively using the native method and the floating method. The results of the examination of 5 Bengal tigers at Maharani Zoo showed 1 positive for Ascarid eggs on native examination and on floating examination showed 2 positive samples for Strongylid eggs and 5 positive samples for Ascarid eggs. The percentage of helminthiasis in the Bengal tigers was 100% positive for helminth infection. The helminth infections at Maharani Zoo could be caused by damp cage, humid and dirty environment, food and water that were contaminated with helminth eggs. The treatment given for the Bengal tigers at Maharani Zoo used  Kalbazen® that contains 1000mg albendazole.

The role of helminths in the development of non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, and neuropsychiatric diseases cause significant global morbidity and mortality which disproportionately affect those living in low resource regions including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In order to reduce NCD morbidity and mortality in LMIC it is imperative to understand risk factors associated with the development of NCDs. Certain infections are known risk factors for many NCDs. Several parasitic helminth infections, which occur most commonly in LMICs, have been identified as potential drivers of NCDs in parasite-endemic regions. Though understudied, the impact of helminth infections on the development of NCDs is likely related to helminth-specific factors, including species, developmental stage and disease burden. Mechanical and chemical damage induced by the helminth in combination with pathologic host immune responses contribute to the long-term inflammation that increases risk for NCD development. Robust studies from animal models and human clinical trials are needed to understand the immunologic mechanisms of helminth-induced NCDs. Understanding the complex connection between helminths and NCDs will aid in targeted public health programs to reduce helminth-induced NCDs and reduce the high rates of morbidity that affects millions of people living in parasite-endemic, LMICs globally.

Reconstructing the history of helminth prevalence in the UK.

Intestinal helminth parasites (worms) have afflicted humans throughout history and their eggs are readily detected in archaeological deposits including at locations where intestinal parasites are no longer considered endemic (e.g. the UK). Parasites provide valuable archaeological insights into historical health, sanitation, hygiene, dietary and culinary practices, as well as other factors. Differences in the prevalence of helminths over time may help us understand factors that affected the rate of infection of these parasites in past populations. While communal deposits often contain relatively high numbers of parasite eggs, these cannot be used to calculate prevalence rates, which are a key epidemiological measure of infection. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was investigated through time in England, based on analysis of 464 human burials from 17 sites, dating from the Prehistoric to Industrial periods. Eggs from two faecal-oral transmitted nematodes (Ascaris sp. and Trichuris sp.) and the food-derived cestodes (Taenia spp. and Diphyllobothrium latum syn Dibothriocephalus latus) were identified, although only Ascaris was detected at a high frequency. The changing prevalence of nematode infections can be attributed to changes in effective sanitation or other factors that affect these faecal-oral transmitted parasites and the presence of cestode infections reflect dietary and culinary preferences. These results indicate that the impact of helminth infections on past populations varied over time, and that some locations witnessed a dramatic reduction in parasite prevalence during the industrial era (18th-19th century), whereas other locations continued to experience high prevalence levels. The factors underlying these reductions and the variation in prevalence provide a key historical context for modern anthelmintic programs.

Impact of Helminth Infections on Female Reproductive Health and Associated Diseases.

A growing body of knowledge exists on the influence of helminth infections on allergies and unrelated infections in the lung and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. However, the bystander effects of helminth infections on the female genital mucosa and reproductive health is understudied but important considering the high prevalence of helminth exposure and sexually transmitted infections in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this review, we explore current knowledge about the direct and systemic effects of helminth infections on unrelated diseases. We summarize host disease-controlling immunity of important sexually transmitted infections and introduce the limited knowledge of how helminths infections directly cause pathology to female reproductive tract (FRT), alter susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and reproduction. We also review work by others on type 2 immunity in the FRT and hypothesize how these insights may guide future work to help understand how helminths alter FRT health.

Effect of anthelmintic treatment on serum free IGF-1 and IGFBP-3: a cluster-randomized-controlled trial in Indonesia

In children, soil-transmitted helminth infections have been linked to poor nutritional status and growth retardation in association with lower levels of IGF-1. In adults, IGF-1 has an anabolic and metabolic function and is related to nutritional status. Here, we assessed the impact of helminth infection on free IGF-1 and its major binding protein, IGFBP-3, in adults. The levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were measured in 1669 subjects aged ≥ 16 years, before and after receiving four rounds of albendazole 400 mg/day or matching placebo for three consecutive days. Helminth infection status was assessed by microscopy (Kato-Katz) and PCR. Serum free IGF-1 level was significantly lower in helminth-infected subjects [mean difference and 95% CI − 0.068 (− 0.103; − 0.033), P < 0.001 after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and fasting insulin level]. There was no difference in IGFBP-3 level between helminth infected versus non-infected subjects. In the whole study population, albendazole treatment significantly increased serum free IGF-1 level [estimate and 95% CI 0.031 (0.004; − 0.057), P = 0.024] whereas no effect was found on the IGFBP-3 level. Our study showed that helminth infection in adults is associated with lower free IGF-1 levels but not with IGFBP-3 and albendazole treatment significantly increases free IGF-1 levels in the study population.Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN75636394.

Impact of Helminth Infections on Production of Chickens

Anders Permin* Author Affiliations Vaerloese Dyreklinik, Kirke Vaerloesevej 26, 3500 Vaerloese, Denmark Received: July 08, 2020 | Published: August 14, 2020 Corresponding author: Anders Permin, Vaerloese Dyreklinik, KirkeVaerloesevej 26, 3500 Vaerloese, Denmark DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2020.29.004819

Impact of Helminth Infections during Pregnancy on Vaccine Immunogenicity in Gabonese Infants.

Helminth infections are common in sub-Saharan Africa. Besides direct clinical effects, a bias towards a T helper type 2 (Th2) cell immune response is observed. The consequences of parasite infection during pregnancy for the mother and particularly for the fetus and the newborn can be severe and may include impaired immune response during acute infection and vaccination. Here, we present data of immune responses to vaccines given within the expanded program on immunization (EPI) of infants born to helminth infected or non-infected mothers. The study was conducted in Lambaréné and surroundings, Gabon. Maternal helminth infection was diagnosed microscopically using the Kato-Katz method for soil-transmitted helminths (STH), urine filtration for Schistosoma haematobium infections and the saponin-based method for filarial infections. Plasma antibody levels to different vaccine antigens were measured in mothers and their offspring by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different timepoints. We found 42.3% of the mothers to be infected with at least one helminth species. Significantly lower anti-tetanus toxoid immunoglobulin (Ig) G was detected in the cord blood of infants born to helminth infected mothers. Following vaccination, immune responses of the infants to EPI vaccines were similar between the two groups at nine and 12 months. Even though infection with helminths is still common in pregnant women in Gabon, in our setting, there was no evidence seen for a substantial effect on infants’ immune responses to vaccines given as part of the EPI.

Review: Impact of Helminth Infection on Antimycobacterial Immunity-A Focus on the Macrophage.

Successful immune control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) requires robust CD4+ T cell responses, with IFNγs as the key cytokine promoting killing of intracellular mycobacteria by macrophages. By contrast, helminth infections typically direct the immune system toward a type 2 response, characterized by high levels of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, which can antagonize IFNγ production and its biological effects. In many countries with high burden of tuberculosis, helminth infections are endemic and have been associated with increased risk to develop tuberculosis or to inhibit vaccination-induced immunity. Mechanistically, regulation of the antimycobacterial immune response by helminths has been mostly been attributed to the T cell compartment. Here, we review the current status of the literature on the impact of helminths on vaccine-induced and natural immunity to MTB with a focus on the alterations enforced on the capacity of macrophages to function as sensors of mycobacteria and effector cells to control their replication.

Microbiome, autoimmunity, allergy, and helminth infection: The importance of the pregnancy period

Pregnancy is a special physical period in reproductive age women, which has a beneficial influence on the course of certain autoimmune diseases. It has been recently suggested that the microbiome undergoes profound changes during pregnancy that are associated with host physiological and immunological adaptations. The maternal microbiome remodeling during pregnancy is an active response of the mother, possibly to alter immune system status and to facilitate metabolic and immunological adaptations, which are needed for a successful pregnancy. In this review, we attempt to discuss (i) the role of maternal microbiome in pregnancy outcomes known to adversely influence neonatal and infant health, including preterm birth, cardiometabolic complications of pregnancy, and gestational weight gain; (ii) the association of microbiome with autoimmunity, allergy diseases, and asthma during pregnancy; and (iii) the impact of helminth infection during pregnancy.

Impact of Helminth Infections and Nutritional Constraints on the Small Intestine Microbiota.

Helminth infections and nutrition can independently alter the composition and abundance of the gastrointestinal microbiota, however, their combined effect is poorly understood. Here, we used the T. retortaeformis-rabbit system to examine how the helminth infection and host restriction from coprophagy/ready-to-absorb nutrients affected the duodenal microbiota, and how these changes related to the acquired immune response at the site of infection. A factorial experiment was performed where the bacterial community, its functionality and the immune response were examined in four treatments (Infect, Infect+Collar, Control+Collar and Control). Helminths reduced the diversity and abundance of the microbiota while the combination of parasites and coprophagic restriction led to a more diversified and abundant microbiota than infected cases, without significantly affecting the intensity of infection. Animals restricted from coprophagy and free from parasites exhibited the richest and most abundant bacterial community. By forcing the individuals to absorb nutrients from less digested food, the coprophagic restriction appears to have facilitated the diversity and proliferation of bacteria in the duodenum. Changes in the microbiota were more clearly associated with changes in the immune response for the infected than the nutrient restricted animals. The functional and metabolic characteristics of the duodenal microbiota were not significantly different between treatments. Overall, infection and diet affect the gut microbiota but their interactions and outcome can be complex. These findings can have important implications for the development of control measures to helminth infections where poor nutrition/malnutrition can also be a concern.

Impact of Helminth Infection on the Clinical and Microbiological Presentation of Chagas Diseases in Chronically Infected Patients.

BackgroundHelminth infections are highly prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, coexisting in Chagas disease endemic areas. Helminth infections in humans may modulate the host immune system, changing the Th1/Th2 polarization. This immunological disturbance could modify the immune response to other infections. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between clinical, microbiological and epidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease patients, with the presence of helminth infection.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona, Spain). Inclusion criteria were: age over 18 years, diagnosis of Chagas disease, and not having received specific treatment for Chagas disease previously to the inclusion. The study protocol included Chagas disease assessment (cardiac and digestive evaluation, detection of T. cruzi DNA measured by PCR in peripheral blood), and helminth infection diagnosis (detection of IgG anti-Strongyloides stercoralis by ELISA, microscopic examination of stool samples from three different days, and specific faecal culture for S. stercoralis larvae).ResultsOverall, 65 patients were included, median age was 38 years, 75.4% were women and most of them came from Bolivia. Cardiac and digestive involvement was present in 18.5% and 27.7% of patients respectively. T. cruzi PCR was positive in 28 (43.1%) patients. Helminth infection was diagnosed in 12 (18.5%) patients. No differences were observed in clinical and epidemiological characteristics between patients with and without helminth infection. Nevertheless, the proportion of patients with positive T. cruzi PCR was higher among patients with helminth infection compared with patients without helminth infection (75% vs 35.8%, p = 0.021).ConclusionsWe observed a high prevalence of S. stercoralis infection among chronic Chagas disease patients attended in our tropical medicine unit. Strongyloidiasis was associated with significantly higher proportion of positive T. cruzi RT-PCR determined in peripheral blood.

Impact of helminth infection during pregnancy on cognitive and motor functions of one-year-old children.

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of helminth infection during pregnancy on the cognitive and motor functions of one-year-old children.MethodsSix hundred and thirty five singletons born to pregnant women enrolled before 29 weeks of gestation in a trial comparing two intermittent preventive treatments for malaria were assessed for cognitive and motor functions using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, in the TOVI study, at twelve months of age in the district of Allada in Benin. Stool samples of pregnant women were collected at recruitment, second antenatal care (ANC) visit (at least one month after recruitment) and just before delivery, and were tested for helminths using the Kato-Katz technique. All pregnant women were administered a total of 600 mg of mebendazole (100 mg two times daily for 3 days) to be taken after the first ANC visit. The intake was not directly observed.ResultsPrevalence of helminth infection was 11.5%, 7.5% and 3.0% at first ANC visit, second ANC visit and at delivery, respectively. Children of mothers who were infected with hookworms at the first ANC visit had 4.9 (95% CI: 1.3–8.6) lower mean gross motor scores compared to those whose mothers were not infected with hookworms at the first ANC visit, in the adjusted model. Helminth infection at least once during pregnancy was associated with infant cognitive and gross motor functions after adjusting for maternal education, gravidity, child sex, family possessions, and quality of the home stimulation.ConclusionHelminth infection during pregnancy is associated with poor cognitive and gross motor outcomes in infants. Measures to prevent helminth infection during pregnancy should be reinforced.

Helminth infection alters IgE responses to allergens structurally related to parasite proteins.

Immunological cross-reactivity between environmental allergens and helminth proteins has been demonstrated, although the clinically related implications of this cross-reactivity have not been addressed. To investigate the impact of molecular similarity among allergens and cross-reactive homologous helminth proteins in IgE-based serologic assessment of allergic disorders in a helminth-infected population, we performed ImmunoCAP tests in filarial-infected and noninfected individuals for IgE measurements to allergen extracts that contained proteins with high levels of homology with helminth proteins as well as IgE against representative recombinant allergens with and without helminth homologs. The impact of helminth infection on the levels and function of the IgE to these specific homologous and nonhomologous allergens was corroborated in an animal model. We found that having a tissue-invasive filarial infection increased the serological prevalence of ImmunoCAP-identified IgE directed against house dust mite and cockroach, but not against timothy grass, the latter with few allergens with homologs in helminth infection. IgE ELISA confirmed that filaria-infected individuals had higher IgE prevalences to those recombinant allergens that had homologs in helminths. Mice infected with the helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus displayed increased levels of IgE and positive skin tests to allergens with homologs in the parasite. These results show that cross-reactivity among allergens and helminth proteins can have practical implications, altering serologic approaches to allergen testing and bringing a new perspective to the "hygiene hypothesis."

Conceptual framework for analysing farm-specific economic effects of helminth infections in ruminants and control strategies

Helminth infections are considered to be an important constraint on livestock productivity worldwide. The economic impact of these infections or their control strategies has traditionally been assessed by their effect on animal performance indicators or traditional economic calculation methods (e.g. budgeting and cost-benefit analysis). Because the impact of helminth infections has become more subtle and is farm-specific, one needs more refined economic evaluations of actions meant to increase or maintain the health of livestock on individual farms. This paper proposes an interdisciplinary framework that combines the developments in the veterinary control of helminth infections with economic performance measurements to identify farm-specific and profitable anthelmintic management decisions. Our framework positions individual farms’ performance against performance benchmarks and is based on the farms’ efficiency in transforming input(s) into output(s). We show how this positioning makes it possible to establish a linkage between input and output transformation, helminth infection levels and effects of control strategies. Furthermore, the framework allows for the identification of improvement paths that are not necessarily related to the helminth infection, but which may lead to other management improvements. We discuss the epidemiological information required and which complementary methods (e.g. efficiency analysis and budgeting techniques) can be used to make the framework operational.

Asia Pacific Allergy: a successful first year and the future

Let's celebrate the first anniversary of Asia Pacific Allergy (AP Allergy), the official journal of the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI)! Since the launching ceremony on November 6, 2010 and its inaugural issue release on April 30, 2011, AP Allergy had a very successful first year. AP Allergy has published twenty three review articles which were recruited from Australia (3), India (3), Japan (2), Korea (7), Malaysia (1), Singapore (4), Sri Lanka (1), Sweden (1) and Thailand (1). A total of sixteen original articles from Australia (1), Indonesia (1), Iran (1), Japan (3), Korea (4), Philippines (4), Sri Lanka (1) and Thailand (1) have been published. Four case reports from Indonesia (1), Korea (2), and UK (1) have been published. After the launching of e-submission system, the submission of the original articles is increasing week by week. AP Allergy is an open access journal and now indexed/tracked/covered by PubMed, PubMed Central, CAB Abstracts, Global Health, CrossRef and Google Scholar databases. Especially, it took just 6 months from the release of the inaugural issue to be indexed by PubMed and PubMed Central in November 2011. Everything started when I received a phone call from professor Sang-il Lee, the founding editor and the Editor-in-Chief, in June 2010. Since then task force team was organized and we worked very hard on the launch of the journal. This journal could be managed with many splendid and wonderful persons, especially professor Choon-Shil Lee from Sookmyung Women's University, Korea who is my mentor, Mr. Inkwon Hwang from Inkwon and Partners who designed this beautiful journal cover and layout, Ms. Jung-min Nam, the manuscript editor, Ms. Nan-Kyeong Woo, and Ms. Hye-sook Jang who worked enormously hard for the manuscript editing, the publication of printed copies, and the on-line publication. I'd like to the entire editorial team for their enormous efforts and contribution (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 The editorial team with the inaugural issue of Asia Pacific Allergy in April 2011. I must the executive committee members of APAAACI and the editorial board members who strongly supported this journal. I'd like to especially professor Hiok Hee Chng, professor Bee Wah Lee, professor Bernard Thong from Singapore, professor Ashok Shah from India, professor Connie H. Katelaris, A/professor Frank Thien from Australia, professor Pakit Vichyanond, Thailand, professor Donald Leung, USA, professor Jiu-Yao Wang, Taiwan, professor Akihiro Morikawa, professor Hirohisa Saito, professor Naoki Shimojo, professor Ruby Pawankar from Japan, professor Zakiudin Munasir, Indonesia, professor Shahd Abbas, Pakistan, professor Hee-Bom Moon, professor Kyu-Earn Kim, professor Sang-Heon Cho and professor Kangmo Ahn from Korea. This issue of AP Allergy features important issues on allergic rhinitis in school going children [1], elderly asthma [2], the role of tiotropium in asthma management [3], and the management of urticaria [4] in review articles. Readers of this journal will also find original articles on the effect of olopatadine ophthalmic solution in the conjunctivitis models [5], the impact of helminth infection on allergic diseases from Sri Lanka [6], the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Filipino adults based on the national survey [7], and IgE binding reactivities of natural pollen grain extracts from grass species in the Philippines [8]. Readers may have a new idea how to set up a birth cohort: the methodology of the GUSTO Cohort Study from Singapore is revealed in this issue [9]. This issue contains a very interesting case report of food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis occurred only in a warm but not in a cold environment [10]. Readers will learn that the environmental factor played an essential role to induce anaphylaxis in the case. AP Allergy sends the electronic table of contents (eTOCs) of each issue with e-mails to more than 2,000 doctors. It now became a 'recognized' journal in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. The editorial team received many e-mails from readers, especially from the Asia Pacific region, to say thank you for the eTOCs and for publishing this journal. The editorial team appreciates this supports from readers very much. Lastly I'd like to all the authors very much for their interest and contribution. AP Allergy will continue to publish articles of good quality to communicate with physicians and researchers in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. Looking forward to another successful year!

Impact of helminth infection on childhood allergic diseases in an area in transition from high to low infection burden

BackgroundThe effect of helminth infections on allergic diseases is still inconclusive. Furthermore, the effect of helminth infections on childhood allergic diseases in a tropical area where prevalence of helminth infections has undergone dramatic changes is not well documented.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and helminth infection in a cohort of schoolchildren in an area that has undergone dramatic changes in intensity of helminth infections.MethodsChildren attending grade 5 were recruited from 17 schools in Western Province of Sri Lanka. They were assessed for allergic diseases using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Their serum total IgE (tIgE) and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) for five common aeroallergens were measured by ImmunoCAP® method and stools were examined for the presence of helminth infections.ResultsA total of 640 children (mean age 10 years) were recruited to the study. Of them, 33.7% had evidence of allergic disease and 15.5% had helminth infections. Majority of infections (68.9%) were of low intensity. A significant relationship between allergic disease and helminth infections was not observed, however, a trend toward protective role of helminth infections against allergic diseases was noted. Multivariate analysis showed helminth infections to be an independent predictor of high tIgE levels whereas allergic disease was not. Allergic sensitization (atopy) was a significant risk factor for allergic disease only among non-infected children (odds ratio 3.025, p = 0.022) but not in infected children. The ratio of sIgE to tIgE was higher in non-infected children.ConclusionThough not significant, a reduced risk of allergy in helminth-infected children was observed in this population. A Decrease in intensity of helminth infections may have contributed to the reduced capacity of immune-modulation by helminths in this paediatric population.

Short Communicaton: The socio-economic impact of helminth infections and the level of adoption of strategic helminth control by small ruminant farmers in Kakamega district, western Kenya

Short Communicaton: The socio-economic impact of helminth infections and the level of adoption of strategic helminth control by small ruminant farmers in Kakamega district, western Kenya

Filarial/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection in Urban Southern India

The disease course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often altered by existing or newly acquired coinfections. Treatment or prevention of these concomitant infections often improves the quality and duration of life of HIV-infected persons. The impact of helminth infections on infections with HIV is less clear. However, HIV is frequently most problematic in areas where helminth infections are common. In advance of the widespread distribution of drugs for elimination of lymphatic filariasis, we assessed the prevalence of active Wuchereria bancrofti infection among HIV-positive patients in Chennai, India at two time points separated by four years. We found that the overall prevalence of W. bancrofti infections among HIV-positive persons was 5-9.5%, and there were no quantitative differences in circulating filarial antigen levels between HIV-positive and HIV-negative filarial-infected patients.