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. 2016 Jun;35(6):622-7.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000001115.

The Effect of Deworming on Tests of Tuberculosis Infection in Children With Recent Tuberculosis Exposure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Marieke M Van der Zalm  1 , Nelda van Soelen, Anna M Mandalakas, Marc Jacobsen, Anne K Detjen, Florian M Marx, Harleen M S Grewal, Mark F Cotton, Gerhard Walzl, Anneke C Hesseling
Affiliations

The Effect of Deworming on Tests of Tuberculosis Infection in Children With Recent Tuberculosis Exposure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Marieke M Van der Zalm et al. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Helminth infestations are associated with T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) immune responses, leading to suppression of Th1 responses required to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. We hypothesized that deworming after documented M. tuberculosis exposure might improve Th1 immune responses.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial comparing the effect of early versus delayed (after 3 months) deworming on tuberculin skin testing (TST) and Quantiferon-Gold-in-tube responses among children from a setting with a known high burden of M. tuberculosis and helminth co-infection in Cape Town, South Africa. Children aged 6 to 15 years with documented M. tuberculosis exposure were enrolled. Ascaris lumbricoides status was measured by Ascaris-specific IgE and stool microscopy.

Results: A total of 250 children (mean age, 9.6 years) were enrolled; 11.9% (27/227) were Ascaris stool microscopy positive and 54.2% (135/249) were Ascaris stool and/or IgE positive (Ascaris status). In univariable analysis, deworming at enrollment was not associated with a negative TST at 3 months (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-1.07; P = 0.08). In stratified analysis, children with a positive Ascaris status were more likely to be TST negative at 3 months if dewormed early (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-1.04; P = 0.06). In multivariable analysis, deworming was not associated with TST status (adjusted odds ratios, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-1.10; P = 0.10). There was no association between deworming and Quantiferon-Gold-in-tube status.

Conclusions: Deworming in children with recent M. tuberculosis exposure is associated with a trend toward a negative TST result. Timing of deworming might influence interpretation of TST in settings with high burdens of tuberculosis and helminths.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Flowchart of participants’ progress through the phases of the randomized controlled trial.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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