Abstract
Background: Monitoring and evaluation (M & E) of anti-malarial treatment among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is very important to assess the response and change in malaria parasite biomass in an endemic area. Published data have shown that HIV-related immunosuppression correlates with increased malaria biomass, treatment failure and complicated outcome despite an individual's immune status. We evaluated blood samples from PLWHA based on malaria parasite biomass and haematological changes during anti-malarial treatment
 Aim: To evaluate Plasmodium falciparum biomass and haematological changes during antimalarial treatment of PLWHA.
 Settings and Designs: Cross-sectional and descriptive study design
 Subjects and Methods: A randomized antimalarial treatment involving 126 subjects was carried out in a hospital setup in Western Kenya. Blood samples were collected and analysed to determine malaria parasitaemia, changes in parasite biomass and haemoglobin levels in 28 days among PLWHA following treatment with Quinine and Coartem® antimalarial drugs. Descriptive and chi-square tests were used to determine the association of parasitaemia with gender and relevant haematological changes during treatment.
 Results: A significant difference between females and males of those with parasitaemia on day-3 was noticed (p - 0.031). Quinine and Coartem® arms recorded a 100% parasite deletion/clearance by day-14 but showed recurrence on day-21 of 6.3% and 3.1% of day-14 respectively. On day-28 the Quinine arm had higher parasitaemia (306.3%). Mean Hb improved from 11.0 gm/dL to 11.6 gm/dL by day-28.
 Conclusion: Recurrence of malaria parasite biomass was noticeable from day-21 to day-28 with Quinine arm of recipients and by day-28 haematological parameters had improved indicating recovery. Routine M &E of malaria cases and haematinic agent dosages to correct anaemia among PLWHA are recommended.
Highlights
According to World Health Organization (WHO), the combined infection of malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause more than 2 million deaths each year globally and given the considerable geographical overlap between the two, a substantial number of co-infections do occur [1].The goal of malaria case management is to rid infected individuals of parasitaemia and reduce chances of possible built-up of plasmodia resistance to the commonly used anti-malarial drugs
People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), tend to exhibit a prolonged and high malaria parasite biomass owing to their immunosuppression status
We evaluated blood samples from people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) based on changes in malaria parasites biomass following administration of two routinely used antimalarials to assess their response, which could guide decisions in the management of malaria cases in this region
Summary
According to WHO, the combined infection of malaria and HIV cause more than 2 million deaths each year globally and given the considerable geographical overlap between the two, a substantial number of co-infections do occur [1].The goal of malaria case management is to rid infected individuals of parasitaemia and reduce chances of possible built-up of plasmodia resistance to the commonly used anti-malarial drugs. Interactions involving human host and plasmodium parasite often result in a host mounting an immune response to counteract an invading parasite [3]. This may not be achieved in certain individuals/patients, especially those with co-infections. Monitoring and evaluation (M & E) of anti-malarial treatment among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is very important to assess the response and change in malaria parasite biomass in an endemic area. Kirinyet and Mulambalah; IJTDH, 42(3): 1-11, 2021; Article no.IJTDH.66190 malaria parasitaemia, changes in parasite biomass and haemoglobin levels in 28 days among PLWHA following treatment with Quinine and Coartem® antimalarial drugs. Routine M &E of malaria cases and haematinic agent dosages to correct anaemia among PLWHA are recommended
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
