Prenatal T cell immunity to Wuchereria bancrofti and its effect on filarial immunity and infection susceptibility during childhood.

Background: Antenatal immune experience with Wuchereria bancrofti due to maternal filariasis may influence susceptibility to infection. We tested the hypothesis that filarial-specific T cell responses at birth that are indicative of in utero tolerance or sensitization affect the evolution of filarial-specific immunity and susceptibility to W. bancrofti infection during childhood.

The effects of maternal helminth and malaria infections on mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Objective: To investigate the effect of helminth and/or malaria infection on the risk of HIV infection in pregnant women and its transmission to their offspring.

Design: A retrospective cohort study of pregnant Kenyan women and their offspring from term, uncomplicated vaginal deliveries (n = 936) with a nested case-control study.

Methods: We determined the presence of HIV, malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and intestinal helminthes in mothers and tested for HIV antibodies in 12-24 month-old offspring of HIV-positive women.