AbstractBackgroundChemokines have been reported to play an important role in granulomatous inflammation duringSchistosoma mansoniinfection. However there is less information on their role inSchistosoma haematobiuminfection, or on the effect of concurrent HIV-1 infection, as a potential modifying influence.MethodsTo determine levels of MIP-1α/CCL3 chemokine in plasma ofS. haematobiumand HIV-1 co-infected and uninfected individuals in a rural black Zimbabwean community.A cohort was established of HIV-1 and schistosomiasis infection and co-infection comprising 379 participants. Outcome measures consisted of HIV-1 and schistosomiasis status and levels of MIP-1α/CCL3 in plasma at baseline and three months post treatment. An association was established between MIP-1α/CCL3 plasma levels with HIV-1 andS. haematobiuminfections.ResultsA total of 379 adults formed the established cohort comprising 76 (20%) men and 303 (80%) women. Mean age was 33.25, range 17 - 62 years. The median MIP-1α/CCL3 plasma concentration was significantly higher inS. haematobiuminfected compared with uninfected individuals (p = 0.029). In contrast, there was no difference in the median MIP-1α/CCL3 levels between HIV-1 positive and negative individuals (p = 0.631). MIP-1α/CCL3 concentration in plasma was significantly reduced at three months after treatment with praziquantel (p = 000).ConclusionThe results of our study show that the MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were positively associated withS. haematobiumegg counts at baseline but not with HIV-1 infection status. MIP-1α/CCL3 levels were significantly reduced at three months post treatment with praziquantel. We therefore conclude that MIP-1α/CCL3 is produced during infection withS haematobium.S. haematobiuminfection is associated with increased MIP-1α/CCL3 levels in an egg intensity-dependent manner and treatment ofS. haematobiumis associated with a reduction in MIP-1α/CCL3.