Some haematological parameters in plasmodial parasitized HIV-infected Nigerians.
BACKGROUND
Nigeria is highly burdened by malaria and HIV-infection, yet researchers know little about the impact of this co-infection on the haematological profile of HIV-infected adult Nigerians. This case control study is an attempt to investigate the effect that HIV/malaria co-infection has on some haematological parameters of HIV-infected Nigerians.


METHODS
Complete blood count (CBC) of 30 plasmodium parasitized HIV-infected subjects and 70 non-parasitized controls were studied.


RESULTS
Of the 30 parasitized subjects, 28 (93.3%) were positive for falciparum malaria and 2 (6.7%) for vivax malaria. The incidence of anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and leucopenia were significantly higher in parasitized subjects compared to non-parasitized controls 66.7%, 60%, 36.7% and 63.3% versus 32.9%, 42.9%, 24.3% and 24.3% respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the haemoglobin, platelet count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of parasitized and non- parasitized individuals (p < 0.05) respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between the level of parasitaemia and anaemia (r = 0.37, p < 0.04) in parasitized subjects. The incidence of anaemia was two times higher in parasitized subjects compared to non-parasitized controls (66.7% versus 32.9%). Red cell morphology showed a normocytic and normochromic picture in 40% and 67.1% of parasitized and non- parasitized individuals respectively. Microcytic, hypochromic picture was observed in 60% and 23% respectively in parasitized and non- parasitized individuals. Striking eosinophilia was seen in 5 (16.7%) of parasitized and 3 (4.3%) of non-parasitized individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of cytopenia appear significantly higher in parasitized subjects compared to non-parasitized control and bring to bare the need for regular anti-malaria prophylaxis for HIV-infected patients particularly in Nigeria.
Erhabor
O
O
Departments of Haematology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Babatunde
S
S
Uko
K E
KE
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood*