Deworming helminth co-infected individuals for delaying HIV disease progression

Walson JL, Herrin BR, John-Stewart G

Published Online:

July 8, 2009

Persons in resource-constrained settings are often disproportionately affected by both HIV-1 and other infectious diseases, such as helminth infections. Helminths are parasitic organisms that live within the human body. Over one-third of the world's population is infected with at least one species of helminth. Findings from some observational studies have suggested that treating helminth infections may slow the progression of HIV-1 disease. If treatment of helminth infections can reduce morbidity and mortality or delay the need for antiretroviral drugs among HIV-1-infected persons, the clinical, programmatic, and public health benefits of these effects are likely to be substantial. The results of this systematic review suggest that eradication of helminths appears to impart significant benefit to HIV-1 and helminth co-infected individuals. Further studies are warranted to determine the long-term impact of deworming and to evaluate the relative benefit of eradicating individual helminth species.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

The HIV-1 pandemic has disproportionately affected individuals in resource-constrained settings where other infectious diseases, such as helminth infections, also are highly prevalent. There are biologically plausible reasons for possible effects of helminth infection in HIV-1-infected individuals, and findings from multiple studies suggest that helminth infection may adversely affect HIV-1 progression. Since initial publication of this review (Walson 2007), additional data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has become available. We sought to evaluate all currently available evidence to determine if treatment of helminth infection in HIV-1 co-infected individuals impacts HIV-1 progression.

Objectives:

To determine if treating helminth infection in individuals with HIV-1 can reduce the progression of HIV-1 as determined by changes in CD4 count, viral load, or clinical disease progression.

Search strategy:

In this 2008 update, we searched online for published and unpublished studies in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and AIDSEARCH. We also searched databases listing conference abstracts, scanned reference lists of articles, and contacted authors of included studies.

Selection criteria:

We searched for RCTs and quasi-RCTs that compared HIV-1 progression as measured by changes in CD4 count, viral load, or clinical disease progression in HIV-1 infected individuals receiving anti-helminthic therapy.

Data collection and analysis:

Data regarding changes in CD4 count, HIV-1 RNA levels, and/or clinical staging after treatment of helminth co-infection were extracted from identified studies.

Main results:

Of 7,019 abstracts identified (6,384 from original searches plus 635 from updated searches), 17 abstracts were identified as meeting criteria for potential inclusion (15 from previous review plus an additional two RCTs). After restricting inclusion to RCTs, a total of three studies were eligible for inclusion in this updated review.

All three trials showed individual beneficial effects of helminth eradication on markers of HIV-1 disease progression (HIV-1 RNA and/or CD4 counts). When data from these trials were pooled, the analysis demonstrated significant benefit of deworming on both plasma HIV-1 RNA and CD4 counts.

Authors' conclusions:

To date, three RCTs have evaluated the effects of deworming on markers of HIV-1 disease progression in helminth and HIV-1 co-infected individuals. All trials demonstrate benefit in attenuating or reducing plasma viral load and/or increasing CD4 counts. When taken together, there is evidence of benefit for deworming HIV-1 co-infected adults. Given that these studies evaluated different helminth species and different interventions, further trials are warranted to evaluate species-specific effects and to document long-term clinical outcomes following deworming.

This record should be cited as:

Walson JL, Herrin BR, John-Stewart G. Deworming helminth co-infected individuals for delaying HIV disease progression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD006419. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006419.pub3

Assessed as up to date:

January 20, 2009

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Primary Review Group:

HIV/AIDS Group

Health topics:

Infectious disease > HIV/AIDS > Other complications/co-morbidities: treatment

Infectious disease > Neglected tropical diseases > Soil-transmitted helminthiasis

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Deworming helminth co-infected individuals for delaying HIV disease progression

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