All HIV-1 positive subgroups with some evidence of helminth exposure (egg+IgEhi, egg+IgElo and egg-IgEhi subgroups) had higher Ki67 responses to mitogen challenge when compared to the egg-IgElo group (without helminth infection), implying that their cells were viable and retained their capacity to proliferate in response to non-specific stimulation. The gene discussed is MKI67; the disease is helminthiasis.