Regulatory T cell expansion resolves after effective strongyloidiasis treatment in subjects with HTLV-1 co-infection.

Background: Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are increased in patients with HTLV-1/Strongyloides stercoralis co-infection, and they may modify otherwise protective antigen-specific cytokine production. We hypothesized that effective anti-helminthic treatment would decrease Tregs and restore antigen-specific cytokine responses.

Methods/results: We enrolled 19 patients with Strongyloides larvae in their stool by Baerman's test.