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

The study was designed: (i) to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites; (ii) to determine the relationship between parasitaemia and age/sex; (iii) to correlate the PCV levels with parasitaemia; and (iv) to determine the influence of protection against natural transmission on the prevalence of malaria.

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 concurrent malaria infection (n = 136). Standard laboratory procedures were used for the HIV and Plasmodium parasites screening, malaria parasite density, and packed cell volume.

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 parasites were more common among the rural dwellers and in the age group of 21-30 yr. Regression analysis showed a negative association of malaria parasitaemia and PCV among the malaria-HIV positive and malaria-HIV negative (r2 = 0.529; p <0.001).

In the present study, PCV might be of useful indicator and if not monitored 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 coinfection may moderate the impact of HIV infection on PCV.