Hookworm Immune Regulation Project

Study of Immuno-regulatory Mechanisms Induced by Hookworm Infection

The main objective of this study is to characterize the regulatory immune response induced by hookworm in an infected Vietnamese rural population from the periphery of HCM, evolution after infection treatment and during potential naturally reinfection.

Population: 20 healthy adults (18-65 years) infected and non infected by Hookworm will be recruited and treated according to Good Clinical Practice recommendations.

Allergy will be excluded by skin prick tests. Amount and phenotype of Treg will be explored at several time points. Subsequent culture with environmental antigen will be performed on cryopreserved cells.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-65 years old adults in good health status
• To live in rural regions at risk of soil transmitted helminthes
• Hookworm infection (infected group)
• Uninfected by Hookworms (control group)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant woman
• Positive allergic history
• Auto-immune and/or HIV disease
• Antihelminthics drug in the last 6 months and other current parasitic infection