Impact of Malaria on Hematological Parameters in People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundPeople living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) frequently have abnormal blood counts including anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. The role of infection with plasmodia on these hematological parameters in PLWHA is not well known. In this study we compared selected hematological parameters between malaria positive and negative PLWHA.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of PLWHA attending the Douala Laquintinie hospital. After obtaining consent, demographic and clinical data were obtained via a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples collected for hematological assays were run using an automated full blood counter. Malaria parasitaemia was determined by blood smear microscopy.ResultsA total of 238 adult PLWHA were enrolled, 48.3% of who were on antiretroviral therapy and 24.8% of whom had malaria parasitaemia. The respective mean (±SD) of hemoglobin level, RBC count, WBC count, platelet count, lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell counts in malaria co-infected patients versus non-infected patients were: 10.8(±1.9) g/dl versus 11.4(±2.0)g/dl; 3,745,254(±793,353) cells/µl versus 3,888,966(±648,195) cells/µl; 4,403(±1,534) cells/µl versus 4,920(±1,922) cells/µl; 216,051(±93,884) cells/µl versus 226,792(±98,664) cells/µl; 1,846(±711) cells/µl versus 2,052(±845) cells/µl and 245(±195) cells/µl versus 301(±211) cells/µl. All these means were not statistically significantly different from each other.ConclusionThere was no significant difference in studied hematological parameters between malaria positive and negative PLWHA. These data suggest little or no impact of malaria infection. Hematological anomalies in PLWHA in this area need not be necessarily attributed to malaria. These need to be further investigated to identify and treat other potential causes.

Prevalence ofPlasmodium falciparumParasitaemia and Its Correlation with Haematological Parameters among HIV-Positive Individuals in Nigeria

“…Contrary to our observation, many studies have reported that malaria coinfection with HIV decreases CD4+ T cells counts [6, 28]. Although it has also been reported by other authors that malaria appears not to have any direct impact on the level of depletion of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the HIV-infected subjects [29, 30]. Many other factors like nutrition and intake of nutrients could contribute to haematological parameters of HIV individuals [29, 31].…”

“…Although it has also been reported by other authors that malaria appears not to have any direct impact on the level of depletion of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the HIV-infected subjects [29, 30]. Many other factors like nutrition and intake of nutrients could contribute to haematological parameters of HIV individuals [29, 31]. However, studies have shown that rates of malaria episode in HIV-infected individuals increase with falling CD4 T-cell count.…”

Haematological indices of malaria patients coinfected with HIV in Umuahia

“…The study contradicts the work of Tchinda et al [12] which showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in all the haematological parameters studied by them. This could be related to geographical location and life style of the subjects.…”

Influência da infecção por Plasmodium vivax nos marcadores hematológicos e hepáticos em pacientes de um município da Região Amazônica brasileira

“…Dados da literatura descreveram a redução no quantitativo de GB em pacientes com malária 30,31 . No entanto, em indivíduos com malária grave infectados com P. vivax, foi observado aumento no número de leucócitos 26 .…”