CD4 and coinfection: Taking into account that the effectiveness of the immune response against mycobacterial infection depends on the Th1/Th17 response, it is possible that helminth co-infection may facilitate M. leprae or M. lepromatosis growth and dissemination through the upregulation of Th2 cytokines or CD4 + CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) [15, 16].