title: Interactions between malaria and HIV infections in pregnant women: a first report of the magnitude, clinical and laboratory features, and predictive factors in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV and malaria are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy in Africa. However, data from Congolese pregnant women are lacking. The aim of the study was to determine the magnitude, predictive factors, clinical, biologic and anthropometric consequences of malaria infection, HIV infection, and interactions between malaria and HIV infections in pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women admitted and followed up at Camp Kokolo Military Hospital from 2009 to 2012 in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Differences in means between malaria-positive and malaria-negative cases or between HIV-positive and HIV-negative cases were compared using the Student's t-test or a non-parametric test, if appropriate. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, if appropriate. Backward multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the potential risk factors of malaria and HIV infections. The odds ratios with their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated to measure the strengths of the associations. Analyses resulting in values of P < 0.05 were considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A malaria infection was detected in 246/332 (74.1%) pregnant women, and 31.9% were anaemic. Overall, 7.5% (25/332) of mothers were infected by HIV, with a median CD4 count of 375 (191; 669) cells/μL. The mean (±SD) birth weight was 2,613 ± 227 g, with 35.7% of newborns weighing less than 2,500 g (low birth weight). Low birth weight, parity and occupation were significantly different between malaria-infected and uninfected women in adjusted models. However, fever, anemia, placenta previa, marital status and district of residence were significantly associated to HIV infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of malaria infection was high in pregnant women attending the antenatal facilities or hospitalized and increased when associated with HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology, University Clinic of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo. rogerwumba@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Roger D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wumba
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology, University Clinic of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo. zanga.josue@sacids.org.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zanga
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshas, Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. michelaloni2003@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Michel N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Aloni
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology, University Clinic of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo. mbanzulu.kennedy@sacids.org.
authors.forename: Kennedy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mbanzulu
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Parasitology, University Clinic of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo. aimkahindo@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Aimé
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kahindo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. mandinamad@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Madone N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mandina
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Kinshasa, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. ekila_bothale@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Mathilde B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ekila
authors.affiliation: Centre Nationale de Référence du Paludisme, AP-HP, CHU Pitie Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651, Paris, Cedex 13, France. omouri3@gmail.com.|Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Assistance-Hospitals of Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, France. omouri3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oussama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mouri
authors.affiliation: Centre Nationale de Référence du Paludisme, AP-HP, CHU Pitie Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651, Paris, Cedex 13, France. eric.kendjo@psl.aphp.fr.|Laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Public Assistance-Hospitals of Paris, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris, France. eric.kendjo@psl.aphp.fr.|Department of Parasitology, Mycology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Libreville, Gabon. eric.kendjo@psl.aphp.fr.|Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany. eric.kendjo@psl.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kendjo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult