The association of falciparum malaria and HIV/AIDS infection in relation to parasitaemia and anti malarial treatment outcome as seen at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of HIV infection on falciparum malaria parasitaemia based on a study conducted at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. One hundred consenting patients with malaria were recruited into the study, malaria parasitaemia levels, HIV status and CD4 counts were determined for each patient, and the outcome of anti malarial drug treatment with quinine or artemisinin derivative drugs observed. Malaria parasitaemia was monitored for each patient after antimalarial drug administration, for up to 7 days. Of the 100 patients recruited with falciparum malaria, 60% were children (<18 years) and 40% were adults. Of the total admitted subjects to study, 17% (5 children and 12 adults) were HIV positive. Malaria parasitaemia levels were higher in HIV positive patients than in HIV negative individuals.and that HIV-negative individuals had a better parasitaemia clearance outcome by day seven (pday7) compared to HIV-positive ones whose parasitaemia clearance went beyond seven-day treatment period. This study strongly recommends investigative work to be done in view of the recent Kenya Government launch of ACT as a first line course of treatment for uncomplicated malaria