title: HIV and parasitic infection and the effect of treatment among adult outpatients in Malawi.
abstract: We measured enteric parasitic infection prevalence and the effect of treatment on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels to assess their importance to HIV primary care in resource-limited settings. Adults in Lilongwe, Malawi, were evaluated, treated, and followed-up for parasitic and HIV infections. Of 389 patients, 266 (68%) were HIV infected. Helminth infections were more common in HIV-uninfected than in HIV-infected patients (39% vs. 17%). Among HIV-infected patients, helminth infections were associated with higher CD4 cell counts but not with higher HIV RNA levels. Successful treatment of parasitic infections had no effect on HIV RNA levels. Although common, parasitic infections did not impact HIV RNA levels.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina Project, Lilongwe, Malawi. Mina_Hosseinipour@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Mina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hosseinipour
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Napravnik
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joaki
authors.forename: Syze
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gama
authors.forename: Nyanyiwe
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mbeye
authors.forename: Blessings
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banda
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinson
authors.forename: Irving
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Myron S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000652:urine; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019562:Viral Load; D017201:Virus Shedding
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D008795:Metronidazole; D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole