Clinical Trial: A Study of Co-infections of HIV-1 and Schistosoma Mansoni and Its Impact on Praziquantel Treatment Outcomes

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) and Schistosoma Mansoni Co-infections and Its Impact on Anthelminthic Treatment Outcome Among HIV-1 Infected Individuals in Fishing Communities in

Brief Summary: In this study, it is hypothesized that helminth infections modulate immune responses against HIV-1 infection resulting into increased HIV-1 multiplication, faster progression to AIDS and increased episodes of AIDS-related opportunistic infections. Furthermore, the effect of helminth infections on progression of HIV-1 infection is dependent on helminth infection intensity, host background immunity, nutritional status, demographic factors and socio-economic status. Also, treatment of helminth infections using praziquantel and albendazole among HIV-1 infected individuals will lead to reduction in HIV-1 viral loads, improvement of CD4+ counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio and Hb levels, improved weight gain and reduction of episodes of HIV-1 related opportunistic infections. In addition, HIV-1 infection is associated with poor anthelminthic treatment outcome as compared to non-HIV infected individuals

Detailed Summary: The proposed study has the main objective to investigate the epidemiology of HIV-1 and Schistosoma mansoni co-infections and assess their association and progress of HIV positive individuals co-infected with S. mansoni. The study will also assess the impact of praziquantel treatment on S. mansoni related morbidities in co-infected HIV positive individuals with S. mansoni in Fishing villages, northwest Tanzania. The study is designed as a community based intervention trial, which consist of cross-sectional survey at the initial baseline survey followed by intervention trials. The initial baseline survey will include 2000 participants from the two villages. The objective of the survey is to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and haemoglobin levels. Also, the socio-economic, demographic characteristics, individual behaviour in relation to HIV-1 and helminth transmission are recorded. In addition, the location and altitude of each household will determined using a hand-held Garmin GPSmap 60CSX, which has an accuracy of ± 5m. After initial survey, study participant will be grouped into 2 groups, one HIV-1 infected group and HIV-1 uninfected group. Blood sample for examination of CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and HIV-1 viral loads will be obtained from HIV-1 positive participants every month for a period of six month. After 6 month of prospective longitudinal survey, the first follow-up survey of the recruited study participants will be conducted with the objective of determining prevalence and intensity of human intestinal schistosomiasis and other helminth infections. Other infections will also be examined, includes malaria and viral hepatitis. Furthermore, S. mansoni induced morbidity will be examined using ultrasonography. A blood sample will also be obtained for all HIV-1 positive patients, from which CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and HIV-1 viral loads will be examined. In the same survey, individuals who tested HIV-1 negative at baseline will also be screened for HIV. After the f
Sponsor: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences

Current Primary Outcome: The impact of Praziquantel in HIV-1 individuals co-infected with Schistosoma mansoni [ Time Frame: 12 month follow-up ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Efficacy of praziquantel [ Time Frame: 12 months ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences

Dates:
Date Received: February 20, 2012
Date Started: May 2012
Date Completion: June 2013
Last Updated: March 2, 2012
Last Verified: March 2012