Project Details

Impact of helminth and Giardia infections on antibody immune responses to oral vaccines in children

David Chaima, BSc, MSc, PhD

Summary

BACKGROUND: • Infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Giardia has been associated with reduced protection against oral vaccines in school-aged children. • Malawi and other low-income countries (LICs) have a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Giardia, ranging from 12% to 70%. GAP: • Our goal is to understand the relationship between infection with STHs and Giardia and antibody (Ab) responses to poliovirus and rotavirus HYPOTHESIS: • 50% of children who received polio and rotavirus vaccines will have Abs against poliovirus and rotavirus. • Antibody levels to poliovirus and rotavirus will be reduced in children with STH/Giardia infections. METHODS: • Prospective longitudinal study • The study will recruit 300 children aged 6-10 years from one primary school in Mangochi, Malawi. RESULTS: Pending. IMPACT: • The findings will support development of a larger study that will inform policies to integrate deworming treatment with vaccination programs, as well as vaccination policy Website Link: https://www.kuhes.ac.mw/