Plasmodium falciparum infection in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Benin City, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum infection is endemic in most tropical countries and will definitely infect Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients living in this region at one time or the other during the course of their infection. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria infection in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Benin City, Nigeria. METHODS A total of 285 (84 males and 201 females) adults attending the hospital were enrolled in this study between July 2010 and June 2011. Blood specimens were collected from each participant and processed for CD4 counts, P. falciparum detection and hemoglobin concentration using standard procedures. The software INSTAT (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA) was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS A total of 6 (2.11%) out of 285 HIV infected patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment had malaria and anemia. CD4 count < 200 cells/microl was significantly associated with P. falciparum infection with odd ratio estimate of 11.61 (95% CI: 2.06, 65.48; P < 0.004). Anemia was significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria infection among HIV patients on HAART with an odd ratio of 16.47 (95%: CI: 0.919, 295.5; P = 0.021). CONCLUSION The study reveals a low prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among HIV patients on HAART. Measures to reduce malaria infection and anemia among HIV patients on HAART are advocated.