Malaria infection in HIV/AIDS patients and its correlation with packed cell volume (PCV)

Background & objectives: The study was designed: (i) to determine the prevalence of malariaparasites; (ii) to determine the relationship between parasitaemia and age/sex; (iii) to correlate thePCV levels with parasitaemia; and (iv) to determine the influence of protection against naturaltransmission on the prevalence of malaria.Methods: Participants were recruited at the Plateau State Human Virology Research Laboratory(PLASVIREC), Robert Gallo House at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos and grouped into:(i) Malaria and HIV co-infection group (n = 64); and (ii) HIV infected group without concurrentmalaria infection (n = 136). Standard laboratory procedures were used for the HIV and Plasmodiumparasites screening, malaria parasite density, and packed cell volume.Results: The results showed a significant difference (p <0.05) among the sexes and age groups.About 64 (32%) of the individuals had Plasmodium infection (30% Plasmodium falciparum,0.5% P. malariae, and 1.5% mixed infections of P. falciparum and P. malariae). Malaria parasiteswere more common among the rural dwellers and in the age group of 21–30 yr. Regression analysisshowed a negative association of malaria parasitaemia and PCV among the malaria–HIV positiveand malaria-HIV negative (r2 = 0.529; p <0.001).Interpretation & conclusion: In the present study, PCV might be of useful indicator and if notmonitored could lead to AIDS establishment especially where high malaria parasitaemia is noted.The findings further suggest that the defined stage of HIV infection in the study, malaria coinfectionmay moderate the impact of HIV infection on PCV.