Our programme has three specific aims:

1. to investigate the effects of maternal helminths and their treatment, and childhood helminths and their treatment on :

(i) the response to childhood immunisations (BCG, tetanus and measles)
(ii) the incidence of infectious and atopic diseases in childhood

2. to examine the impact of the trial interventions on additional outcomes of importance for public health, through the opportunity provided by the cohort:
(i) anaemia and growth
(ii) cognitive development

3. to inform public health policy on de-worming in pregnancy and early childhood

Completed Research

The impact of helminths on the response to immunisation and on the incidence of infection and disease in childhood in Uganda: a randomised controlled trial

Principal investigator: Alison Elliott

Co-principal investigator:  Moses Muwanga

Co-investigators: Juliet Ndibazza, Harriet Mpairwe, Maggie Nampijja, Patrice Mawa, Dennison Kizito, Robert Tweyongyere, Moses Kizza, Emily Webb

Collaborating institutions: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Danish Bilharzia Laboratories, Colorado State University (Colorado, USA), MRC Laboratories The Gambia, University of Lancaster, University of Nottingham, Vector Control Programme (Ministry of Health), Entebbe Hospital, Wellcome Trust Research Unit (Kilifi, Kenya)

Funding: Wellcome Trust

Background: Mammalian immune systems co-evolved with chronic, parasitic helminth infection,more