Cellular immune responses of schistosomiasis patients are altered by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection

J Infect Dis. 2001 Aug 15;184(4):488-96. doi: 10.1086/322783. Epub 2001 Jul 18.

Abstract

In vitro studies suggest that CD4(+) cells with a T helper 2 (Th2) phenotype better support human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication than do cells of the Th1 phenotype. As a result, Th2-type immune responses may be substantially affected by HIV-1 coinfection. To test this hypothesis, a comparison was done of proliferation and cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with schistosomiasis who were positive or negative for HIV-1. Patients with schistosomiasis with HIV-1 coinfections had significantly lower interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 production than did HIV-1-negative individuals. In contrast, interferon-gamma production levels were similar between the 2 groups. Furthermore, in patients with HIV-1, a decrease in CD4(+) T cells was correlated with an increased Th1:Th2 cytokine production ratio. The effect of praziquantel treatment on proliferation and cytokine responses also differed between HIV-1 infection groups. Thus, HIV-1 infection affects immune response patterns of patients with schistosomiasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / isolation & purification
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / immunology*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Cytokines
  • Praziquantel