%0 Journal Article
%T Immunological, Virological, Parasitic and Biological Profile of Malaria/HIV Co-Infection in 18 Years Old and Above Patients in Lubumbashi (DR Congo)
%A Christian Kakisingi
%A Olivier Mukuku
%A Michel Manika
%A Augustin Mutombo
%A Eric Kasamba
%A Beya Tshikuluila
%A Paul Mawaw
%A Claude Mwamba
%A Oscar Luboya
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 3
%N 5
%P 1-7
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2016
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1102647
%X 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 ¦Ěl (67.9%), a parasitic
density <10,000 trophozoites/¦Ěl (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/¦Ěl. Thus, both national programs must promote an
early testing for HIV infected patients and reinforce preventive measures in
the management of malaria.
%K Malaria/HIV Co-Infection
%K CD4
%K Viral Load
%K Parasite Density
%K Haemoglobin
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/5266318