Deworming of filariasis and reduction of HIV incidence

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, lymphatic filariasis and HIV infection are two major public health problems that often coexist.1 For several decades, scientists have been exploring the negative impact of helminth infections, including the filarial nematode Wucheria bancrofti, on HIV acquisition and pathogenesis.1–3 Immunological studies have tried to validate the anecdotal, but biologically plausible, theory that modulatory effects of helminths such as W bancrofti can affect HIV infection.3–5 However, some of these studies were inconclusive, and many were characterized by two common flaws, cross-sectional design1 or small sample size,3 weakening the strength of the evidence.