Treat parasitic diseases to help patients fight HIV

Researchers discovered that treating schistosomiasis - a disease caused by fluke - may increase the immune system of people with HIV / AIDS.

(Photo: aidonaids)

They hypothesized to study that schistosomiasis - or worm disease - reduces our ability to fight infections. This means that the HIV / AIDS process will happen faster in patients who are also infected with worms.

Danish and Zimbabwean researchers published their studies online in The Journal of Infectious Diseases on December 1.

Researchers chose two groups of schistosomiasis patients in Zimbabwe, some of whom were HIV-infected. One group was treated for schistosomiasis immediately, while the other group had to wait 3 months.

In people with HIV, the number of CD4 cells - helping to fight infection - is used to determine the severity of the disease. The higher the number, the easier it is to fight off disease.

In the study, in patients with both diseases that were treated for schistosomiasis, the number of CD4 cells increased and the amount of HIV in their bodies decreased. For patients who have to wait for treatment, the CD4 count does not increase and the amount of HIV in the system continues to increase.

The team found that CD4 cells also increased in people without HIV. This shows that schistosomiasis reduces the immune system in people who have it.

Researchers say that the accuracy of schistosomiasis's rate of development is still unknown. They called for more research in Africa, where there is a high risk of both diseases, to determine whether to treat schistosomiasis with HIV / AIDS.

Bui Thuy Nga