TITLE:
Prevalence of Malaria Infection among People Living with HIV in Kinshasa
AUTHORS:
Erick Ntambwe Kamangu, Hypolite Mavoko Muhindo, Carole Weba Wapa-Kamangu, Hippolyte Nani-Tuma Situakibanza
KEYWORDS:
HIV, Malaria, Co-Infection, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.2,
February
12,
2015
ABSTRACT:
Background: Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and
malaria are two infectious diseases which are among the leading causes of
morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa and each a major public health
problem. Data on malaria infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV) are
poorly defined in Kinshasa as there are very few studies available on the
subject. Objective: To determine the rate of co-infection HIV/malaria in
Kinshasa to improve the care of PLHIV, this study was initiated to update the
data. Methodology: This study was a prospective cohort. 123 volunteers
participated in this study in the third month. 114 patients completed the 6- month
visit. Malaria diagnosis by microscopy was performed at the two medical visits.
A sample of 5 ml of blood was also drawn in a tube with EDTA for the
determination of viral load and measuring the level of CD4 T cells. Results: In
the third month of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), we had 123 PLHIV (78 women and 45 men). Viral loads (VL) ranged from 390.79
copies/ml (2.59 log10) and 38546691.53 copies/ml (6.59 log10).
The CD4 ranged between 90 and 547 cells/mm3. 25 patients (20.33%)
were positive for malaria. At 6th month of ART, there were 114 patients (75
women and 39 men). The CV of the population ranged from 0 copies/ml and 2693671.54
copies/ml (6.43 log10). The CD4 at 6th month were in the range
between 421 and 984 cells/mm3. 20 patients (17.54%) presented
positive thick smear for malaria. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of HIV/ malaria
co-infection varies between 17.54% and 20.33% in Kinshasa.