Schistosomiasis and infection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 in rural Zimbabwe: systemic inflammation during co-infection and after treatment for schistosomiasis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Sep;79(3):331-7.

Abstract

We previously reported that treatment for schistosomiasis in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) attenuated HIV replication as measured by plasma HIV RNA. We investigated systemic inflammation as measured by plasma levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor II (sTNF-rII), interleukin-8, (IL-8), and IL-10 during schistosomiasis and HIV co-infection and after schistosomiasis treatment. The cohort was composed of 378 persons who were or were not infected with HIV-1, Schistosoma haematobium, or S. mansoni. Schistosomiasis-infected persons were randomized to receive praziquantel (40 mg/kg) at baseline or at the three-month follow-up. sTNF-rII and IL-8 were positively associated with schistosomiasis intensity as measured by circulating anodic antigen (CAA), regardless of HIV status. Interleukin-10 was positively associated with CAA in HIV-negative participants. IL-8 levels were higher in S. mansoni-infected individuals. Treatment for schistosomiasis caused a decrease in levels of sTNF-rII (P < 0.05) and IL-10 (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that schistosomiasis treatment may attenuate HIV replication by decreasing systemic inflammation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology*
  • Interleukin-10 / blood
  • Interleukin-8 / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / blood
  • Schistosomiasis / blood
  • Schistosomiasis / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis / drug therapy*
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology
  • Schistosomicides / therapeutic use*
  • Zimbabwe / epidemiology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-8
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II
  • Schistosomicides
  • Interleukin-10
  • Praziquantel