The cause of elevated glycosylated haemoglobin concentrations in AIDS

HIV Infection Does Not Explain Elevation of Glycated Hemoglobin among Non-Diabetic Patients in Gabon

“…Hemoglobins C and S, more prevalent in Africa, are only known to lower the results (2). HbA 1 elevation among HIV-infected subjects correlates with serum ferritin (6) and human hemoglobin attaches up to 4-10 times more glucose when incubated in vitro with Fe 2+ ions (7). So, high HbA 1c levels in HIVpositive individuals is thought to be associated with storage of iron in macrophages as an effect of phagocytic activation in subjects with heavy load of various infectious agents (6).…”

“…HbA 1 elevation among HIV-infected subjects correlates with serum ferritin (6) and human hemoglobin attaches up to 4-10 times more glucose when incubated in vitro with Fe 2+ ions (7). So, high HbA 1c levels in HIVpositive individuals is thought to be associated with storage of iron in macrophages as an effect of phagocytic activation in subjects with heavy load of various infectious agents (6). In Africa, populations are exposed to numerous parasitic, bacterial and viral agents; therefore that mechanism could explain some cases of elevation of HbA 1 without a background of HIV infection.…”