title: HIV target cells in Schistosoma haematobium-infected female genital mucosa.
abstract: The parasite Schistosoma haematobium frequently causes genital lesions in women and could increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. This study quantifies the HIV target cells in schistosome-infected female genital mucosa. Cervicovaginal biopsies with and without schistosomiasis were immunostained for quantification of CD4(+) T lymphocytes (CD3, CD8), macrophages (CD68), and dendritic Langerhans cells (S100 protein). We found significantly higher densities of genital mucosal CD4(+) T lymphocytes and macrophages surrounding schistosome ova compared with cervicovaginal mucosa without ova (P = 0.034 and P = 0.018, respectively). We found no increased density of Langerhans cells (P = 0.25). This study indicates that S. haematobium may significantly increase the density of HIV target cells (CD4(+) T lymphocytes and macrophages) in the female genitals, creating a beneficial setting for HIV transmission. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to evaluate the effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on female genital schistosomiasis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, Oslo, Norway. p.m.jourdan@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Peter Mark
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Jourdan
authors.forename: Sigve Dhondup
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Holmen
authors.forename: Svein Gunnar
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gundersen
authors.forename: Borghild
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roald
authors.forename: Eyrun Floerecke
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Kjetland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000821:virology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult