HIV CoinfectionHAPINCT05323396
HIV And Parasitic Infection (HAPI) Study
A study testing Antiparasitic medication in people with HIV Coinfection, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in Malawi.
Trial summary
The overall goal of this study is to determine if periodic de-worming of persons living with HIV in intestinal parasite-endemic regions will lead to decreased morbidity and mortality associated with HIV by reducing immune activation and intestinal damage associated with these diseases. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- HIV Coinfection
- What is being tested?
- Antiparasitic medication
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteMalawi
- Study dates
- 2 May 2022to 4 Aug 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥ 18 years
- currently living in Malawi
- HIV-1 infection
- on ART ≥ 1 year with undetectable HIV RNA level at the last evaluation
- willingness to be treated with anti-parasitic therapy if infection with intestinal parasite is identified.
Who cannot join
- Use of antibiotics other than prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole within 60 days of screening
- Use of antiparasitic medication (ex- albendazole, praziquantel, metronidazole) in the last year
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Gastrointestinal tract malignancy
- Major intestinal surgery during prior 2 years
- Coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding mother, or planning pregnancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Impact of Parasitic Infections on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier and Immune Activation Among Persons Living With HIV in Lilongwe, Malawi
The overall goal of this study is to determine if periodic de-worming of persons living with HIV in intestinal parasite-endemic regions will lead to decreased morbidity and mortality associated with HIV by reducing immune activation and intestinal damage associated with these diseases. The hypothesis for this project is that intestinal parasitic infections contribute to a modifiable pro-inflammatory state in persons living with HIV (PLWH).
Aim 1: Determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in PLWH receiving care at an HIV-treatment center in Lilongwe, Malawi using a highly sensitive multi-parallel stool PCR test. Hypothesis: highly sensitive stool PCR testing will demonstrate that disease burden of parasitic infection in PLWH in Malawi is higher than historically reported based on stool microscopy.
Read more
Aim 2: Determine the impact of parasitic infection on intestinal damage and immune activation by measuring sCD14, sCD163, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in PLWH. Hypothesis: plasma biomarkers reflecting intestinal damage and immune activation are elevated in those with HIV and parasitic co-infection compared with parasite-negative participants with HIV.
Aim 3: Determine the impact of eradication of parasitic infection on intestinal damage and immune activation by measuring sCD14, sCD163, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in PLWH before and after treatment of parasitic co-infection. Hypothesis: plasma biomarkers reflecting intestinal damage and immune activation are elevated in those with HIV and parasitic co-infection, and these biomarkers decrease with anti-parasitic treatment.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective study in which participants will be enrolled in outpatient HIV clinics associated with Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, where there are over 25,000 patients in care with over 90% virally suppressed on ART.
Any subject meeting inclusion criteria and lacking exclusion criteria who is currently receiving care at the clinics affiliated with Kamuzu Central Hospital or Bwaila Hospital will be eligible to participate in this study. After informed consent is signed, a total of 10ml of blood, 20g stool sample, and 20mL urine sample will be collected. Each participant will be asked a series of questions. Clinical variables including age, sex, CD4+ T-cell count, and CD4% will be collected from the participant's medical chart.
Stool samples will be processed by stool microscopy in the local UNC Project Malawi laboratory, and the remaining sample will be stored at -80 degrees Celsius (C) until transported to the Laboratory of Parasitology National School of Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas for detection of 9 different parasites and quantification of parasite burden by stool qPCR. Blood samples will be collected in EDTA-blood collection tubes and centrifuged. Plasma will be frozen at -80 degrees C at UNC Project Malawi until transport to the National School of Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine for determination of levels of immune activation and gut mucosal impairment (sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP). Urine samples will be evaluated by microscopy to look for Schistosoma haematobium at UNC Project Malawi laboratory.
Multi-parallel real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) performed on stool will evaluate for 9 different parasites including Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Schistosoma mansonii, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia solium, Trichuris trichiura, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia.
Participants that test positive for parasitic infection will be contacted and appropriate treatment administered according to the local standard of care. Albendazole single 400mg dose will be given for infection with Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Trichuris trichiura. Albendazole 400mg daily for 5 days will be given for Strongyloides stercoralis. Praziquantel single dose 40mg/kg will be given for infection with Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Praziquantel single dose 10mg/kg will be given to treat intestinal infection with Taenia solium. Metronidazole 500mg two times a day x5 days for Giardia lamblia and 500mg three times a day x7 days for Entamoeba histolytica.
Follow up appointments will be performed 8-12 weeks after treatment and will include repeated blood and stool sample collection.
The study team anticipates enrollment of 120 patients in a period of 8-12 weeks. With an estimated intestinal parasite prevalence of 30%, the study team predicts 30 cases and 70 controls will be enrolled. Participants found to be positive at both the initial and follow up visit will be considered reinfected rather than treatment failure. These will be included in the analysis of prevalence, but the change in markers of immune activation will not be measured in this group since parasite clearance not established. Using Student's unpaired t-test to compare mean values of biomarkers between study groups, there will be 80% power to detect a difference of 0.434 x106 pg/ml, 0.56 mg/l, and 598 pg/ml between groups for biomarkers sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP, respectively with effect sizes within the range of prior studies. Using paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-treatment biomarker levels, there will be 80% power to detect post-treatment changes of 0.317 x106/ml, 0.41 mg/l, and 435 pg/ml in sCD14, CD163, and I-FABP respectively.
Clinical variables including age, sex, and most recent CD4 count will be recorded. Clinical predictors of parasitic infection (eg CD4%) will be determined using multivariable logistical regression. Univariable linear regression will be used to determine associations between markers of immune activation (continuous outcome variable) and predictors including the clinical variables above as well as presence of multiple parasitic infections.
- Conditions
- HIV Coinfection
- Being tested
- Antiparasitic medication
- Keywords
- parasitic infection, chronic immune activation, HIV coinfection, Malawi, sCD14, sCD163, I-FABP, intestinal damage
- Medical subject headings
- HIV Infections, Parasitic Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Antiparasitic medicationDrug
Also called Albendazole, Praziquantel, Metronidazole
Participants in the "parasite-positive" group (based on positive result of either stool microscopy or stool PCR) will be administered antiparasitic treatment. Antiparasitic medication administered will be targeted to treat the parasite identified. See detailed description of protocol for medication, dose, and frequency that will be given for each parasitic infection identified.
Participants with negative stool microscopy and negative stool PCR will not be administered treatment, thus will serve as controls.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Parasite-positive arm | Active comparator | Participants will be evaluated for intestinal parasitic infection by stool microscopy or stool PCR. If positive by either of these, the participant will be treated for the detected parasitic infection. The biomarker levels of this parasite-positive group will be compared to the parasite-negative group. Additionally the parasite-positive pre-treatment biomarker levels will be compared to the parasite-positive post-treatment levels. Receives: Drug: Antiparasitic medication |
| Parasite-negative arm | No intervention | Participants will be evaluated for intestinal parasitic infection by stool microscopy or stool PCR. If negative by all of these tests on the initial sample collection, the participants will not receive treatment and will be in the "parasite-negative"/no intervention arm. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of Participants With and Without Intestinal Parasitic Infection
The number of participants with and without parasitic infection was determined based on diagnostic tests utilized. Participants with a positive result by either stool microscopy or stool PCR were considered "parasite-positive". Participants negative by both diagnostic tests were considered "parasite-negative".
Measured: Baseline
Mean Soluble CD14 (sCD14) Levels
The level of sCD14 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of sCD14 of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of sCD14 of the parasite-negative group (µg/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Measured: Baseline
Mean Soluble CD163 (sCD163) Levels
The level of sCD163 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of sCD163 of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of sCD163 of the parasite-negative group (ng/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Measured: Baseline
Mean Intestinal Fatty-acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) Levels
The level of I-FABP detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of I-FABP of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of I-FABP of the parasite-negative group (ng/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Measured: Baseline
Percent Change of sCD14 Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
The level of sCD14 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (µg/mL). The percent change of sCD14 from pre-treatment to post-treatment levels of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of sCD14 from pre- to post-treatment levels of the parasite-negative participants.
Measured: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
Percent Change of sCD163 Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
The level of sCD163 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (ng/mL). The percent change of sCD163 from pre-treatment to post-treatment levels of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of sCD163 from pre- to post-treatment levels of the parasite-negative participants.
Measured: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
Percent Change of I-FABP Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
The level of I-FABP detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (ng/mL). The percent change of I-FABP levels from pre-treatment to post-treatment of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of I-FABP levels pre- and post-treatment of the parasite-negative participants.
Measured: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Apr 2022
- Study start2 May 2022
- Primary completion4 Aug 2023
- Study completion4 Aug 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HIV CoinfectionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This trial is closest to a parallel trial, but different from most clinical trials in that the participants will not be randomized by the study team. The two groups will be determined based on the results of the initial sample collection. Those with a result positive for intestinal parasitic infection (by either stool microscopy or stool PCR) will be in the "parasite-positive" group for the remainder of the study. Those negative for all of these will be in the "parasite-negative" group. The markers sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP will be compared between the two groups. Additionally a comparison will be made between the pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of the "parasite-positive" participants.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fogarty International Center of the National Institute of Health
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Melissa Reimer-McAtee, MD, Principal investigator, University of North Carolina
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05323396
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21-2553
- Other IDs
- D43TW009340
- Acronym
- HAPI
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 4 Apr 2022
- Last updated
- 16 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
Publications
Sandler NG, Wand H, Roque A, Law M, Nason MC, Nixon DE, Pedersen C, Ruxrungtham K, Lewin SR, Emery S, Neaton JD, Brenchley JM, Deeks SG, Sereti I, Douek DC; INSIGHT SMART Study Group. Plasma levels of soluble CD14 independently predict mortality in HIV infection. J Infect Dis. 2011 Mar 15;203(6):780-90. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiq118. Epub 2011 Jan 20.
PubMed 21252259Knudsen TB, Ertner G, Petersen J, Moller HJ, Moestrup SK, Eugen-Olsen J, Kronborg G, Benfield T. Plasma Soluble CD163 Level Independently Predicts All-Cause Mortality in HIV-1-Infected Individuals. J Infect Dis. 2016 Oct 15;214(8):1198-204. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiw263. Epub 2016 Jun 28.
PubMed 27354366Cheru LT, Park EA, Saylor CF, Burdo TH, Fitch KV, Looby S, Weiner J, Robinson JA, Hubbard J, Torriani M, Lo J. I-FABP Is Higher in People With Chronic HIV Than Elite Controllers, Related to Sugar and Fatty Acid Intake and Inversely Related to Body Fat in People With HIV. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018 Nov 5;5(11):ofy288. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofy288. eCollection 2018 Nov.
PubMed 30515430
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Parasitic Infections on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier and Immune Activation Among Persons Living With HIV in Lilongwe, Malawi
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05323396
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HAPI / 21-2553
- Conditions
- HIV Coinfection
- Keywords
- parasitic infection, chronic immune activation, HIV coinfection, Malawi, sCD14, sCD163, I-FABP, intestinal damage
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Fogarty International Center of the National Institute of Health
- Study start
- 2 May 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 4 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 4 Aug 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 16 Jul 2024
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The overall goal of this study is to determine if periodic de-worming of persons living with HIV in intestinal parasite-endemic regions will lead to decreased morbidity and mortality associated with HIV by reducing immune activation and intestinal damage associated with these diseases. The hypothesis for this project is that intestinal parasitic infections contribute to a modifiable pro-inflammatory state in persons living with HIV (PLWH).
Aim 1: Determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in PLWH receiving care at an HIV-treatment center in Lilongwe, Malawi using a highly sensitive multi-parallel stool PCR test. Hypothesis: highly sensitive stool PCR testing will demonstrate that disease burden of parasitic infection in PLWH in Malawi is higher than historically reported based on stool microscopy.
Aim 2: Determine the impact of parasitic infection on intestinal damage and immune activation by measuring sCD14, sCD163, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in PLWH. Hypothesis: plasma biomarkers reflecting intestinal damage and immune activation are elevated in those with HIV and parasitic co-infection compared with parasite-negative participants with HIV.
Aim 3: Determine the impact of eradication of parasitic infection on intestinal damage and immune activation by measuring sCD14, sCD163, and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in PLWH before and after treatment of parasitic co-infection. Hypothesis: plasma biomarkers reflecting intestinal damage and immune activation are elevated in those with HIV and parasitic co-infection, and these biomarkers decrease with anti-parasitic treatment.
Detailed description
This is a prospective study in which participants will be enrolled in outpatient HIV clinics associated with Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, where there are over 25,000 patients in care with over 90% virally suppressed on ART.
Any subject meeting inclusion criteria and lacking exclusion criteria who is currently receiving care at the clinics affiliated with Kamuzu Central Hospital or Bwaila Hospital will be eligible to participate in this study. After informed consent is signed, a total of 10ml of blood, 20g stool sample, and 20mL urine sample will be collected. Each participant will be asked a series of questions. Clinical variables including age, sex, CD4+ T-cell count, and CD4% will be collected from the participant's medical chart.
Stool samples will be processed by stool microscopy in the local UNC Project Malawi laboratory, and the remaining sample will be stored at -80 degrees Celsius (C) until transported to the Laboratory of Parasitology National School of Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas for detection of 9 different parasites and quantification of parasite burden by stool qPCR. Blood samples will be collected in EDTA-blood collection tubes and centrifuged. Plasma will be frozen at -80 degrees C at UNC Project Malawi until transport to the National School of Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine for determination of levels of immune activation and gut mucosal impairment (sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP). Urine samples will be evaluated by microscopy to look for Schistosoma haematobium at UNC Project Malawi laboratory.
Multi-parallel real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) performed on stool will evaluate for 9 different parasites including Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Schistosoma mansonii, Strongyloides stercoralis, Taenia solium, Trichuris trichiura, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia.
Participants that test positive for parasitic infection will be contacted and appropriate treatment administered according to the local standard of care. Albendazole single 400mg dose will be given for infection with Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Trichuris trichiura. Albendazole 400mg daily for 5 days will be given for Strongyloides stercoralis. Praziquantel single dose 40mg/kg will be given for infection with Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Praziquantel single dose 10mg/kg will be given to treat intestinal infection with Taenia solium. Metronidazole 500mg two times a day x5 days for Giardia lamblia and 500mg three times a day x7 days for Entamoeba histolytica.
Follow up appointments will be performed 8-12 weeks after treatment and will include repeated blood and stool sample collection.
The study team anticipates enrollment of 120 patients in a period of 8-12 weeks. With an estimated intestinal parasite prevalence of 30%, the study team predicts 30 cases and 70 controls will be enrolled. Participants found to be positive at both the initial and follow up visit will be considered reinfected rather than treatment failure. These will be included in the analysis of prevalence, but the change in markers of immune activation will not be measured in this group since parasite clearance not established. Using Student's unpaired t-test to compare mean values of biomarkers between study groups, there will be 80% power to detect a difference of 0.434 x106 pg/ml, 0.56 mg/l, and 598 pg/ml between groups for biomarkers sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP, respectively with effect sizes within the range of prior studies. Using paired t-tests to compare pre- and post-treatment biomarker levels, there will be 80% power to detect post-treatment changes of 0.317 x106/ml, 0.41 mg/l, and 435 pg/ml in sCD14, CD163, and I-FABP respectively.
Clinical variables including age, sex, and most recent CD4 count will be recorded. Clinical predictors of parasitic infection (eg CD4%) will be determined using multivariable logistical regression. Univariable linear regression will be used to determine associations between markers of immune activation (continuous outcome variable) and predictors including the clinical variables above as well as presence of multiple parasitic infections.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This trial is closest to a parallel trial, but different from most clinical trials in that the participants will not be randomized by the study team. The two groups will be determined based on the results of the initial sample collection. Those with a result positive for intestinal parasitic infection (by either stool microscopy or stool PCR) will be in the "parasite-positive" group for the remainder of the study. Those negative for all of these will be in the "parasite-negative" group. The markers sCD14, sCD163, and I-FABP will be compared between the two groups. Additionally a comparison will be made between the pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of the "parasite-positive" participants.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Parasite-positive arm | Active comparator | Drug: Antiparasitic medicationParticipants will be evaluated for intestinal parasitic infection by stool microscopy or stool PCR. If positive by either of these, the participant will be treated for the detected parasitic infection. The biomarker levels of this parasite-positive group will be compared to the parasite-negative group. Additionally the parasite-positive pre-treatment biomarker levels will be compared to the parasite-positive post-treatment levels. |
| Parasite-negative arm | No intervention | –Participants will be evaluated for intestinal parasitic infection by stool microscopy or stool PCR. If negative by all of these tests on the initial sample collection, the participants will not receive treatment and will be in the "parasite-negative"/no intervention arm. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age ≥ 18 years
- currently living in Malawi
- HIV-1 infection
- on ART ≥ 1 year with undetectable HIV RNA level at the last evaluation
- willingness to be treated with anti-parasitic therapy if infection with intestinal parasite is identified.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Use of antibiotics other than prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole within 60 days of screening
- Use of antiparasitic medication (ex- albendazole, praziquantel, metronidazole) in the last year
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Gastrointestinal tract malignancy
- Major intestinal surgery during prior 2 years
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Antiparasitic medicationAlso: Albendazole, Praziquantel, MetronidazoleParticipants in the "parasite-positive" group (based on positive result of either stool microscopy or stool PCR) will be administered antiparasitic treatment. Antiparasitic medication administered will be targeted to treat the parasite identified. See detailed description of protocol for medication, dose, and frequency that will be given for each parasitic infection identified. Participants with negative stool microscopy and negative stool PCR will not be administered treatment, thus will serve as controls. | Drug | Parasite-positive arm |
Primary outcome
Number of Participants With and Without Intestinal Parasitic Infection
Time frame: Baseline
The number of participants with and without parasitic infection was determined based on diagnostic tests utilized. Participants with a positive result by either stool microscopy or stool PCR were considered "parasite-positive". Participants negative by both diagnostic tests were considered "parasite-negative".
Mean Soluble CD14 (sCD14) Levels
Time frame: Baseline
The level of sCD14 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of sCD14 of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of sCD14 of the parasite-negative group (µg/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Mean Soluble CD163 (sCD163) Levels
Time frame: Baseline
The level of sCD163 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of sCD163 of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of sCD163 of the parasite-negative group (ng/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Mean Intestinal Fatty-acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) Levels
Time frame: Baseline
The level of I-FABP detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the baseline visit. The mean level of I-FABP of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the mean level of I-FABP of the parasite-negative group (ng/mL) using Student's unpaired t-test.
Percent Change of sCD14 Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
The level of sCD14 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (µg/mL). The percent change of sCD14 from pre-treatment to post-treatment levels of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of sCD14 from pre- to post-treatment levels of the parasite-negative participants.
Percent Change of sCD163 Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
The level of sCD163 detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (ng/mL). The percent change of sCD163 from pre-treatment to post-treatment levels of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of sCD163 from pre- to post-treatment levels of the parasite-negative participants.
Percent Change of I-FABP Levels Pre- and Post-treatment
Time frame: Baseline, 6 months after baseline visit
The level of I-FABP detected in plasma will be measured in all patients at the initial visit and the follow-up visit (ng/mL). The percent change of I-FABP levels from pre-treatment to post-treatment of the parasite-positive group will be compared to the percent change of I-FABP levels pre- and post-treatment of the parasite-negative participants.
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jul 2025.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 21252259Sandler NG, Wand H, Roque A, Law M, Nason MC, Nixon DE, Pedersen C, Ruxrungtham K, Lewin SR, Emery S, Neaton JD, Brenchley JM, Deeks SG, Sereti I, Douek DC; INSIGHT SMART Study Group. Plasma levels of soluble CD14 independently predict mortality in HIV infection. J Infect Dis. 2011 Mar 15;203(6):780-90. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiq118. Epub 2011 Jan 20.
- Background: PubMed 27354366Knudsen TB, Ertner G, Petersen J, Moller HJ, Moestrup SK, Eugen-Olsen J, Kronborg G, Benfield T. Plasma Soluble CD163 Level Independently Predicts All-Cause Mortality in HIV-1-Infected Individuals. J Infect Dis. 2016 Oct 15;214(8):1198-204. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiw263. Epub 2016 Jun 28.
- Background: PubMed 30515430Cheru LT, Park EA, Saylor CF, Burdo TH, Fitch KV, Looby S, Weiner J, Robinson JA, Hubbard J, Torriani M, Lo J. I-FABP Is Higher in People With Chronic HIV Than Elite Controllers, Related to Sugar and Fatty Acid Intake and Inversely Related to Body Fat in People With HIV. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018 Nov 5;5(11):ofy288. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofy288. eCollection 2018 Nov.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
Related trials for HIV Coinfection
RecruitingPhase 2
A Phase 2 Study of Foscenvivint in Liver Cirrhosis Patients Caused by HIV/HCV Co-infection With Hemophilia
Liver Cirrhosis
Not yet recruitingPhase 2
A Trial of Stratified Patient-Centered Treatment Regimens for Active TB (SPECTRA-TB)
Tuberculosis
Recruiting
Secondary Cervical Cancer Prevention of Vulnerable Women With HPV and HIV Co-infection in India
Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection
Active, not recruiting
Closing -TB GAPs - for People Living With HIV: TB Guidance for Adaptable Patient-Centered Service
Tuberculosis, HIV Coinfection
RecruitingObservational study
Hep Mec Cohort in Zambia
Hepatitis B, HIV
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Melissa Reimer-McAtee, MD principal investigator
University of North Carolina
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Antiparasitic medication in people with HIV Coinfection, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in Malawi.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Malawi. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 16 Jul 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of Participants With and Without Intestinal Parasitic Infection (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05323396, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jul 2025.