AIDS/Tuberculosis Coinfection: Schistosoma mansoni is associated with progression to active tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS

AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, July 31, 2006
Staff Medical Writers

According to a recently published report from England, "Rates of tuberculosis (TB) in Africa are highest among people infected with HIV.

"Searching for additional risk factors in a cohort of HIV-infected Ugandan adults, we previously found that a type 2 cytokine bias and eosinophilia were associated with progression to active TB. A possible role for helminth infection was assessed in this study."

"We analyzed TB incidence in 462 members of this cohort who were screened for filarial infections, gastrointestinal nematodes, and schistosomiasis. Progression to TB was not associated with gastrointestinal nematodes (rate ratio [RR], 1.1.8; confidence intervals [CIs], 0.66-2.10) or Mansonella perstans (RR, 0.42: CI, 0.13-1.34).

"A weak association between Schistosoma mansoni infection and TB was found (RR, 1.42; CI, 0.86-2.34); after adjusting for potential explanatory variables and using more stringent diagnostic criteria, the association was strengthened (RR, 2.31; 1-00-5.33)," reported M. Brown and colleagues at the University of London, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

The authors concluded, "This analysis suggests an effect of S. mansoni infection on progression to active TB among HIV-1-infected Ugandans."

Brown and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Schistosoma mansoni, nematode infections, and progression to active tuberculosis among HIV-1-infected Ugandans. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 May;74(5):819-25).

For more information, contact M. Brown, University of London London School Hyg & Trop Med, Dept. Infection & Tropical Disease, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT, England.

Publisher contact information for the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is: American Society Trop Med & Hygiene, 8000 Westpark Dr., Ste. 130, Mclean, VA 22101, USA.

Keywords: London, England, HIV/AIDS, Schistosomiasis, Active Tuberculosis, Disease Progression.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Brown M, Miiro G, Nkurunziza P, et al., “Schistosoma mansoni, nematode infections, and progression to active tuberculosis among HIV-1-infected Ugandans”, Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 May;74(5):819-25.

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