The present study was designed to assess the PCV and serum iron in HIV-malaria co-infected subjects in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. 207 participants aged between 16-72 (44 ± 28) years were recruited and classified as follows based on standard screening and WHO criteria: (i) Asymptomatic HIV stage I subjects with or without malaria. (ii) Symptomatic HIV stage II subjects with or without malaria and not on (ART). (iii) HIV/AIDS subjects with or without malaria and on ART. (vi) HIV seronegative control subjects with or without malaria. Blood sample from these participants were analyzed for HIV seroreactivity, Plasmodium falciparum antigen, parasite density, serum iron concentrations and PCV using Standard Laboratory methods. The result showed that serum iron and PCV were significantly reduced amongst all the groups studied when compared with the control (p<0.01, <0.05, <0.01) respectively. No significant difference was observed in malaria parasite densities amongst all the groups studied. The present study shows that serum iron could possibly be one of the most significant predictors of anaemia in subjects presenting with HIV-malaria coinfection, other factors not withstanding. Effective antimalarial drugs in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy could go a long-way in reducing the incidence of anaemia associated with HIV/Malaria co-infection

The study was designed to evaluate CD4 + T-cells count in subjects with HIV-malaria co-infection in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria and to assess the effects any changes in CD4 + counts has on the prevalence and or severity of both illness. Two hundred and eighty-five participants aged between 16 and 72 years were recruited for the study and grouped as symptomatic HIV subjects, asymptomatic HIV subjects, HIV/AIDS subjects on ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) and HIV-seronegative subjects. HIV and malaria parasite screening, CD4 + T-cell count and parasite density were determined using standard laboratory methods. The result showed that the prevalence of malaria infection was 75% in symptomatic HIV, 46.7% in asymptomatic HIV and 59.6% in HIV/AIDS subjects on ART respectively as opposed to 26.9% observed in the control (P<0.001). The CD4 + T-cell count was significantly lower in both symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-malaria infected subjects when compared with the malaria-infected control subjects (238 ± 176, 312 ± 144, P<0.01) respectively. CD4 + T-cells count was also significantly lower in malaria-infected HIV/AIDS on ART when compared to the malaria-infected control subjects (315 ± 195, P<0.01). The study concludes that malaria prevalence is increased in subjects with HIV/malaria co-infection and is accompanied by a significant reduction in CD4 + T-cell counts, which might worsen the severity and prognosis in these subjects. Other public health implications are discussed.

This study was designed to assess the serum hormonal levels (Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol) in symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART. A total of 411 participants aged between 17 and 58 (43 ±10) years were randomly recruited for the study. The participants were staged and grouped as follows: symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART (n= 139), symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects not on ART (n= 136) and HIV seronegative subjects (n= 136). Blood samples were collected from the participants for the determination of HIV status by immunochromatography and HIV confirmation by Western Blot. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay for FSH, LH, Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol levels. Their results showed significant rise in FSH, LH in HIV seropositive participants on ART compared respectively to those not on ART and the HIV seropositive subjects (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol were all raised in symptomatic HIV seropositive participants not on ART compared respectively to the symptomatic HIV seroposive on ART and the HIV seronegative groups (p< 0.05). The testosterone levels significantly decreased in both symptomatic HIV infected subjects on ART and those not on ART compared with the HIV seronegative controls (p< 0.05). The relevance of HIV infection on the serum hormonal status is that HIV infection causes hypogonadism as well as primary testicular failure in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART. Also, HIV infection causes hyperprolactinaemia, hyperprogesteronaemia and hypercortisolism in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART.

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