Malaria infection and its effects on HIV positive and negative patients of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Trauma Center Oba, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Interactions between malaria and HIV infections due to the overlap of their geographic distribution pose major public health problems. Malaria and HIV co-infection among the poor and youth will affect the economy adversely. What are the effects of malaria infection in HIV individuals? Methods and materials: Nine hundred and seventy two patients who were referred to the Teaching Hospital from other hospitals for HIV screening and who gave their consent were involved in the study. Demographic data was obtained from each subject. Determine- Tm HIV kit was used to screen the patients while Chembio HIV 1/2 Stat-Pak assay kit was used for confirmatory tests. Giemsa stained, thick blood film was used for malaria parasite determination. Microhaematocrit and cyamethaemoglobin method were used for packed cell volume (PVC) and haemoglobin (Hb) determination respectively. Partec flow cytometry instrument was used for CD4 count. Results: Of the 972 patients, 400 (41.2%) were HIV positive while 572 (58.8%) were negative. A total malaria prevalence of 64%, mean intensity of 2.3 x 103 parasite/μL and that of 54.7% and 1.2 x 103/μL were recorded among HIV positive patients and negative patients respectively, though not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Among the HIV positive patients, the age group 18-28 years had the highest malaria prevalence (78.1%) and mean parasite load (2.6 x 103/μL). Low mean values, PVC (0.32), Hb (10.67) and CD4 count (343.24) were found among malaria positive/HIV positive patients while higher values, PVC (0.42), Hb (14.0) and CD4 count (754.42) were recorded among malaria positive/HIV negative patients and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results from the haematological parameters of malaria positive HIV group showed that they were anaemic when compared with the malaria positive HIV negative group. Both malaria and HIV combined effect may have resulted in lowering the observed values. Given the sheer numbers of people living with HIV in Nigeria, an area where malaria transmission is common, there is concern for a significant public health threat. There is therefore greater need for malaria prevention and treatment among HIV infected people.