Empiric Therapy of Helminth Co-infection to Reduce HIV-1 Disease Progression

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2011-10-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Abstract:

Over 25 million HIV-1 infected individuals are currently living in Africa and as many as 50-90% may be co-infected with soil transmitted helminths such as roundworms, hookworms or whipworms. Helminth infection in HIV-1-infected individuals may increase HIV-1 RNA levels and increase the rate of progression of HIV-1 to AIDS. Studies have also shown that successful treatment of helminth co-infection (as documented by clearance of helminth eggs in stool) led to a significant decrease in HIV-1 plasma viral load (-0.36 log10). This change in viral load was significantly greater than that seen in those individuals without documented clearance of their helminth co-infection (+0.67 log10) (p=0.04). Studies conducted in Africa have shown an estimated 2.5-fold increased risk for sexual transmission of the HIV-1 for each log increase in plasma HIV-1 viral load. In addition to direct effects on plasma viral load, the rate of CD4 cell decline in helminth infected individuals may be directly impacted by the significant immune activation seen with such co-infection.

The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial examining the potential benefits of routine empiric helminth eradication in HIV-1 infected adults who do not yet qualify for antiretroviral (ARV) therapy in Kenya. The current standard of care of symptomatic diagnosis and treatment will be compared to a systematic empiric scheduled de-worming program for HIV infected adults. The investigators will compare markers of disease progression including rate of CD4 decline and changes in HIV-1 RNA levels between the two treatment arms.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Washington
• Collaborators: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Kenya Medical Research Institute
• Treatments: Albendazole; Praziquantel

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must not be or have been on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

• Participants must have CD4 count > 350 cells/mm3 in order to be enrolled in the randomized controlled trial.

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age.

• Participants must be able and willing to participate and give written informed consent.

• Participants must be able and willing to return for the scheduled follow-up visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants must not be pregnant at the time of enrollment (by urine HCG testing).