Immunological Responses to Helminths and HIV-1 Co-Infections

Helminth infections result from either ingestion or contact with contaminated fecal matter. To date, there is insufficient evidence as to whether helminths have influence on HIV-1 specific immune responses literature results are indeterminate. We evaluated the effect of helminth HIV disease progression through monitoring 2 outcomes: (1) plasma RNA Viral load (V/L) and (2) Cluster Differentiation (CD4+) T-lymphocyte count amongst helminth-HIV-1 co-infected persons. hypothesized that concurrent may damage control, resulting in escalating VL reduced CD4+ that, subject successful treatment, a decrease could slow down progression. reviewed 2032 citations, 432 abstracts, read 10 articles (See PRISMA diagram). The methodologies were appraised using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). At enrolment, significantly higher individuals (5.01 log10 vs. 3.41 log10, p < 0.001). magnitude ranged 5.28 copies/mL at baseline 4.67 copies/mL, (p 0.05) after treatment trend for 0.61 lower VL. All but one RCT reported decline significant interactions seen successfully treated groups values not different co-infection relative those HIV-infection alone. This supports WaSH HIV/AIDS co-programming promote health PLWHA. suggest large scale trials future studies. systematic review registration number CRD42022364296.