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07:39
An In vitro Co-infection Model to Study Plasmodium falciparum-HIV-1 Interactions in Human Primary Monocyte-derived Immune Cells
Published on: August 15, 2012
Is there an interaction between human immunodeficiency virus and Plasmodium falciparum?
D Chandramohan1, B M Greenwood
1Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
International Journal of Epidemiology
|May 29, 1998
Summary
There is limited evidence of an interaction between malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Further research is needed to confirm potential links, especially regarding placental malaria and HIV transmission.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection present complex health challenges.
- HIV may compromise immunity to malaria, increasing infection frequency and severity.
- Malaria may accelerate HIV progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing studies on the interaction between malaria and HIV.
- To assess the biological plausibility and statistical evidence for such interactions.
Main Methods:
- MEDLINE search to identify relevant studies.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of reported data.
- Abstraction and recalculation of measures of association.
Main Results:
- Prevalence ratios for parasitemia varied, with limited statistically significant differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals.
- A rate ratio of 1.4 (95% CI: 0.99-2.0) for non-severe malaria in HIV-positive children was observed.
- Placental malaria may increase perinatal HIV transmission; immune responses to P. falciparum in HIV-positive individuals were variable.
Conclusions:
- No definitive evidence for a malaria-HIV interaction, except possibly for placental malaria.
- Many studies suffered from bias or small sample sizes.
- Further well-designed research is required to clarify severe malaria mortality, vertical HIV transmission, and HIV progression risks.
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