Current research insights into the status of schistosomiasis and HIV coinfections in children and lessons from adult studies

Schistosomiasis and HIV occur in the same geographical areas, which are also plagued with high levels of poverty. Adult studies have demonstrated the impact of Schistosoma and HIV coinfections, where schistosomiasis is a significant contributor to the acquisition of HIV in adults. Schistosoma and HIV coinfections decreased the excretion of Schistosoma eggs, worsened inflammation, and increased the HIV viral load in adult studies. There is a lack of data on the effect of coinfection on children. The current few studies on HIV and schistosomiasis coinfection in children (children infected via vertical transmission) have looked at the prevalence of the coinfection, renal function, as well as the effect of coinfection on treatment outcomes. Furthermore, HIV-exposed and uninfected children are neglected in many studies where they are often treated similarly to HIV-unexposed and uninfected children. The primary objective of this narrative literature review was to examine existing research on the coinfection of HIV and schistosomiasis in children and learn from studies involving adults. The review seeks to provoke research on HIV exposure/infection coinfection with schistosomiasis, emphasizing the contribution of neurological function, gut microbiome, bacterial translocation, and malnutrition. In the future, such studies will improve the health of HIV infected/exposed children.