FEMALE GENITAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AS A RISK-FACTOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV

Sexually transmitted-diseases increase the probability for HIV transmi ssion, presumably through lesions in the genital mucosa. Female genita l schistosomiasis, a special form of urinary schistosomiasis due to in fection with Schistosoma haematobium, may be another risk-factor for t ransmission of HIV. From published data there seem to be pathophysiolo gical, immunological and epidemiological evidence for an association b etween genital ulcer disease due to S. haematobium and HIV-infection i n women. Female genital schistosomiasis could be seen as an example of how an interaction between a parasitic disease and HIV facilitates th e propagation of the latter. As long as the prevalence of HIV is low i n the general population, interventions targeted to high risk groups w ill significantly delay, or even prevent, widespread dissemination of the HIV infection in the rest of the population. If female genital sch istosomiasis is a risk factor for the spread of HIV like other genital ulcer diseases, there should be interesting ways to intervene from th e public health point of view.