Improved Immunological Values in HIV/AIDS Patients on Combined ARV/Antihelminthic Therapy

Methods Eighty-nine HIV/AIDS patients, 62% males, mean ages 52 ± 17 were randomly selected at three HIV/AIDS treatment centres in Lagos, Nigeria. Study period was between October, 2004 and April 2005. Three serial stool samples were collected from these patients and screened for helminthic pathogens. Ascaris hambricoides, Trichuris trichuria and Hookworm representing 41%, 28% and 21% respectively were the most predominant helminths. Viral load, CD4 cell count, weight, haematological and chemistry parameters were noted at baseline. These parameters were again determined at 3 and 6 months after combined therapy of ARV and antihelminthic drugs.