Immunological, Virological, Parasitic and Biological Profile of Malaria/HIV Co-Infection in 18 Years Old and Above Patients in Lubumbashi (DR Congo)

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria infection and HIV infection are major public health issues in several parts of the world. Together they have caused more than a million deaths per year. Africa, and Sub-Saharan in particular are the most affected. Our study objective is to determine the prevalence of Malaria/HIV co-infection and describe its immunological, virological, parasitic and biological characteristics. Methodology: This is a descriptive, transversal and multi centric study done on 18 years old and above HIV positive patients, for a period extending from December 2008 to October 2009 in 5 different HIV treatment centres. Parameters studied were gender, age, CD4 count, viral load, parasite density and haemoglobin level. The HIV diagnosis was made according to the AIDS National Program and malaria according to the Malaria National Program. Statistic analyses were done using Epi Info 7 software and the Yates corrected Chi Square test or the Fischer Exact test (when recommended) was used to check any link between different parameters studied. Statistical significance was fixed at <0.05. Results: 405 HIV seropositive patients were compiled. The malaria prevalence in these patients was 6.9%. Majority of co-infected patients were aged between 26 and 49 years (67.9%), and had a CD4 count <200 μl (67.9%), a parasitic density <10,000 trophozoites/μl (75%) and an Hb level <11 g/dl. With regards to correlations between co-infected patients parasitic density and the CD4 count, viral load and Hb level, none of the studied parameters showed any statistic significance difference. Conclusion: A prevalence of 6.9% among HIV/malaria co-infected patients and 67.7% of these patients had a CD4 count less than 200 cells/μl. Thus, both national programs must promote an early testing for HIV infected patients and reinforce preventive measures in the management of malaria.