Submicroscopic Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults living in Gabon (Central Africa)-a pilot study

Epidemiology of malaria among HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Malaria related HIV morbidity and death is a concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the epidemiology of malaria among people living with HIV is vital for adequate intervention. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of malaria in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched PubMed, AJOL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. The overall pooled prevalence and pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using the random-effects model and potential causes of heterogeneity in prevalence estimates were investigated using subgroup and meta-regression analysis. 58 studies, including 23,911 HIV patients, were identified between January 1990 and October 2020. The overall pooled prevalence of malaria in HIV patients was 22.7% (95% CI 18.0; 28.1). The Prevalence of malaria among HIV/AIDS patients was 33.1%, 30.2%, 15.3%, and 12.6% in Southern, Western, Central, and Eastern regions of SSA respectively. Prevalence of malaria in the central and western was higher [26.7% (95% CI 20.6; 33.9)] than 13.6% reported in the southern and eastern regions (95% CI 8.8; 20.5). There was a significant decrease in malaria prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients in the Eastern and Southern SSA regions from 21.9% (95% CI 15.5; 30.0) in the 2000-2010 period to 9.7% (95% CI 5.5-16.4) in the post-2010 period compared to the central and western regions. HIV infected patients with low CD4 + T cell count (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) were 2.19 times more likely to become infected with malaria than those with high CD4 + T cell count (CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3) (pooled odds ratio (POR): 2.19 (95%CI 1.20;3.98), while patients on antiretroviral therapy (POR): 0.37 (0.23; 0.59), and in WHO clinical stages I and II (POR): 0.64 (0.28; 1.46), had a lower odds of been infected with malaria. Our review suggests that due consideration should be given to malaria among HIV/AIDS patients in SSA. In particular, the assessment and improvement of preventive measures for malaria/HIV co-infection in high-prevalence regions is important. For the treatment of both diseases, prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole and antiretroviral therapy should also be encouraged.

Increased Frequency of Pfdhps A581G Mutation in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Gabonese HIV-Infected Individuals

BACKGROUND

Studying malaria parasites cross resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole, CTX) is necessary in areas coendemic for malaria and HIV. Polymorphism and frequency of drug resistance molecular markers, Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes have been assessed in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from HIV-infected adults, in Gabon.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in three HIV care and treatment centers, at Libreville, the capital city of Gabon and at Oyem and Koulamoutou, two rural cities between March 2015 and June 2016. P. falciparum-infected HIV adults were selected. Analysis of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes was performed using high resolution melting (HRM) technique.

RESULTS

Pfdhps A581G mutation was found in 23.5% (8/34) of the isolates. Triple Pfdhfr mutation (51I-59R-108N) was predominant (29.4%; n=10) while 17.6% (n=6) of the isolates carried a quadruple mutation (Pfdhfr 51I-59R-108N + Pfdhps 437G; Pfdhfr 51I-108N + Pfdhps 437G-Pfdhps581G; Pfdhfr 51I-59R-108N + Pfdhps 581G). Highly resistant genotype was detected in around 10% (n=3) of the isolates. The quintuple mutation (triple Pfdhfr 51I-59R-108N and double Pfdhps437-581) was only found in isolates from two patients who did not use CTX. The most frequent haplotypes were those with a single mutation (NCNIAKA) (36%) and a quadruple mutation (NCIIGKG, NRIIGKA, and NRIIAKG). Mixed unknown genotypes were found at codon 164 in three isolates. Mixed genotypes were more frequent at codons 51 (23.5%; n=8) and 59 (20.5%; n=7) (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Pfdhps A581G mutation as well as new combination of quintuple mutations is found for the first time in isolates from HIV-infected patients in Gabon in comparison to a previous study. The detection of these genotypes at a nonnegligible frequency underlines the need of a regular surveillance of antifolates drug resistance.