Current research insights into the status of schistosomiasis and HIV coinfections in children and lessons from adult studies

Schistosomiasis and HIV occur in the same geographical areas, which are also plagued with high levels of poverty. Adult studies have demonstrated the impact of Schistosoma and HIV coinfections, where schistosomiasis is a significant contributor to the acquisition of HIV in adults. Schistosoma and HIV coinfections decreased the excretion of Schistosoma eggs, worsened inflammation, and increased the HIV viral load in adult studies. There is a lack of data on the effect of coinfection on children. The current few studies on HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in children (children infected via vertical transmission) have looked at the prevalence of the coinfection, renal function, as well as the effect of coinfection on treatment outcomes. Furthermore, HIV-exposed and uninfected children are neglected in many studies where they are often treated similarly to HIV-unexposed and uninfected children. The primary objective of this narrative literature review was to examine existing research on the coinfection of HIV and schistosomiasis in children and learn from studies involving adults. The review seeks to provoke research on HIV exposure/infection coinfection with schistosomiasis, emphasizing the contribution of neurological function, gut microbiome, bacterial translocation, and malnutrition. In the future, such studies will improve the health of HIV infected/exposed children.

Plain Language Summary

Bilharzia and HIV are found in the same places, which have a lot of poverty. Research done on adults has shown that bilharzia makes it easier to get HIV. Having both bilharzia and HIV makes both illnesses worse. Many studies about the effects of bilharzia and HIV on people have been done on adults, with only a few done on children. The few studies on children looked at how many children had both bilharzia and HIV, how both illnesses might hurt the kidneys, and how both illnesses might change the treatment results. Also, children who are born without HIV but were exposed to HIV from their mothers are often treated the same as children who have never been exposed to HIV. The review looks at studies that involve both bilharzia and HIV in children and learn from studies done on adults. This study aims to boost research on how HIV and bilharzia affect children, including those who were exposed to HIV before they were born but don’t have HIV now. The study looks at different things like gut bacteria, poor nutrition, mental health, and swelling, which might change because both diseases happen together. These studies could help make the health of children living with or those who were exposed to HIV in their mother’s womb better.