Impact of schistosome infection on long-term HIV/AIDS outcomes.
Soledad ColombeRichard MachembaBaltazar MtengaPeter LutonjaSamuel E KalluvyaClaudia J de DoodPytsje T HoekstraGovert J van DamPaul L A M CorstjensMark UrassaJohn M ChangaluchaJim ToddJennifer A DownsPublished in: PLoS neglected tropical diseases (2018)
Our study demonstrates that people with schistosome infection at the time of HIV-seroconversion develop adverse HIV outcomes more slowly than those without. The findings are contrary to our original hypothesis. Our current longitudinal findings suggest complex interactions between HIV-1 and schistosome co-infections that may be modulated over time. We urge new immunological studies to investigate the long-term impact of schistosome infection on HIV-1 viral load and CD4 counts as well as related immunologic pathways.