POSSIBLE IMPACT OF CO-INFECTIONS OF TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA ON THE CD4+ CELL COUNTS OF HIV PATIENTS IN NIGERIA

Background: This study focused on evaluating the possible impact of co-infections of tuberculosis and malaria on the CD4+ cell counts in HIV infected subjects. Methods: This is a cross sectional study. The subjects were drawn from three hospitals and a blood bank in Lagos State. After due consent, blood samples were obtained from 69 subjects with single infections (HIV, TB, and Malaria), 34 subjects with multiple infections (HIV/Malaria, HIV/TB, Malaria/TB, HIV/TB/Malaria) and 24 blood donors (controls). The CD4+ cell counts of all the 127 blood samples were estimated using a FACS count. Results: Data obtained were analysed and a comparison of the results showed that the median CD4+ counts in all groups of subjects with HIV infections (whether single or co-infection) were similar and significantly lower than the median counts for the healthy control group as well as groups without HIV infection (malaria, TB and malaria/TB). Conclusion: Overall data further confirmed the progressive depletion of CD4+ cells in HIV infection while co-infections with TB and malaria did not have any impact on the CD4+ cells of HIV infected subjects. A larger prospective study is needed.