Publication
Increased HIV Incidence in Wuchereria bancrofti Microfilaria Positive Individuals in Tanzania
Publisher:
MDPI AG
Date:
28-02-2023
DOI:
10.3390/PATHOGENS12030387
Abstract: Background: Infections with Wuchereria bancrofti are associated with reduced immunity against concomitant infections. Indeed, our previous study described a 2.3-fold increased HIV incidence among in iduals with W. bancrofti infection, as measured by the circulating filarial antigen of the adult worm. This new study aimed to retrospectively determine microfilariae status of the participants to assess if the previously described increased HIV susceptibility was associated with the presence of MF in the same cohort. Methods: CFA positive but HIV negative biobanked human blood s les (n = 350) were analyzed for W. bancrofti MF chitinase using real time PCR. Results: The PCR provided a positive signal in 12/350 (3.4%) s les. During four years of follow-up (1109 person years (PY)), 22 study participants acquired an HIV infection. In 39 PY of W. bancrofti MF chitinase positive in iduals, three new HIV infections occurred (7.8 cases per 100 PY), in contrast to 19 seroconversions in 1070 PY of W. bancrofti MF chitinase negative in iduals (1.8 cases per 100 PY, p = 0.014). Conclusions: In the subgroup of MF-producing Wb-infected in iduals, the HIV incidence exceeded the previously described moderate increased risk for HIV seen in all Wb-infected in iduals (regardless of MF status) compared with uninfected persons from the same area.