HIV, Malaria Interaction Increases Prevalence of Both Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, Study Says
December 8, 2006
The interaction between HIV and malaria is increasing the prevalence of both diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the journal Science, the Washington Post reports (Washington Post, 12/8). Laith Abu-Raddad of the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and colleagues using a mathematical model examined HIV and malaria coinfection data gathered in Malawi by James Kublin, a study co-author from FHCRC, Reuters reports. The model enabled the researchers to quantify the "synergy" between HIV and malaria, which kills more than 1 million people annually, in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Reuters (Dunham, Reuters, 12/7). According to the AP/Houston Chronicle, HIV transmission occurs most easily when a person has high viral load. The study -- funded in part by the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD and FHCRC -- found that malaria causes a sevenfold increase in viral load that lasts six to eight weeks. In addition, the study found that HIV-positive people are more susceptible to malaria because their immune systems are weakened. In regions where both diseases are common, HIV might be responsible for almost 10% of malaria cases, and malaria might be responsible for about 5% of HIV cases, according to Abu-Raddad. The researchers focused their work in Kisumu, Kenya, where they applied the mathematical model to determine that 8,500 additional HIV cases and 980,000 extra malaria cases during a 20-year period were the result of coinfection, Abu-Raddad said (Neergaard, AP/Houston Chronicle, 12/7).
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This article was provided by Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. It is a part of the publication Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report. Visit the Kaiser Family Foundation's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.