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
