To estimate the host response during co-infection between H. kunzii and S. aureus, we carried out qRT-PCRs on six representative host defense genes of nematodes after infection by H. kunzii and S. aureus alone or in co-infection: hlh-30 (the key transcriptional factor-encoded gene for S. aureus host defense), lys-5 and clec-7 (antimicrobial-encoded genes), cyp-37B1 and sodh-1 (cytoprotective and detoxification-encoded genes) and lgg-1 (autophagy-encoded gene). Here, AASDHPPT is linked to infection.