Abstract
Background: A prospective study assessing the levels of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels, CD4, CD8 and other haematological parameters in a heterogeneous group of HIV sero-positive adults with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria was carried out in Benin City, Nigeria.
Methods: IL-2, IFN-γ were determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, CD4 and CD8 cells were counted using the Dynabeads T4-T8 Quantification protocol while haematological parameters was estimated using standard haematological techniques.
Results: Serum levels of IFN-γ were significantly reduced in HIV⁄malaria and HIV infected individuals (P<0.05). Also, a significant reduction in CD4 and CD8 cells was observed in HIV⁄Malaria and HIV infected individuals (P<0.05), while monocyte count was significantly higher in HIV⁄Malaria, HIV, and Malaria infected individuals (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The depletion in CD4, CD8 and other haematological cells may be associated with lowered serum levels of immunological mediators a direct outcome of which could be the poor immune response observed in HIV co- infected and HIV- infected individuals.
