Impact of Malaria on HIV-1 Viral Loads in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Kiyingi Herbert Samuel, Egwang Thomas Gordon, Nannyonga Maria
Primary Institution: St. Raphael of St. Francis Nsambya Hospital/Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Collaboration
Hypothesis
P. falciparum infections increase HIV-1 viral loads in children living with AIDS.
Conclusion
Malaria is associated with increased HIV-1 viral loads in children, with some levels remaining elevated weeks after treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- Malaria increased HIV-1 viral load significantly in children living with AIDS.
- Low parasitemia transiently increased viral load by 0.42 log.
- Higher parasitemia resulted in a mean increase in viral load of 0.53 log.
- Viral loads returned to baseline levels after treatment in most cases.
- Children with high parasitemia had significantly elevated viral loads even after treatment.
Takeaway
When kids with HIV get malaria, their HIV levels can go up a lot, even after they get treated for malaria.
Methodology
135 HIV-1 positive children were followed for one year to measure HIV-1 viral loads at three time points: baseline, during malaria, and post-malaria.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to exclusion of children with other infections and the variability in age among participants.
Limitations
The study was limited by the use of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, potential non-compliance with treatment, and the inability to assess subclinical malaria.
Participant Demographics
135 HIV-1 positive children aged 1.5 to 12 years, with 60% female and 45% under 5 years old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0002
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.29-0.78
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
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