Effects of Malaria and HIV Infection on Anemia and T-cells Levels in Children in Douala City, Cameroon

Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and malaria are priority health issues for sub-Saharan Africa. Both diseases worsen each other through their effect on the immune and hematological systems. This study aimed to determine the effects of HIV infection and asymptomatic malaria on anemia and T-cells counts in children in the city of Douala in the republic of Cameroon. Method From May to November 2016, 197 HIV infected and 98 HIV-free non-febrile children up to 19 years old (128 male and 167 female) participated in the study. All HIV-infected children were receiving antiretroviral treatment and co-trimoxazole. Malaria diagnosis was performed using Giemsa-stained thick blood film; immunological and hematological parameters were assessed through a flow cytometer and an automated analyzer respectively. Chi-squared or Fischer's exact tests was used to compare the proportions, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests were used for the means. Statistical significance was set at p˂0.05. Results The prevalence of malaria was 8.8%, and that of anemia was 40.7%. CD4(+)-T cells were higher in malaria-infected children, both in HIV positive and negative (p=0.049). No significant association was found between malaria parasitemia and CD8(+)-T cell levels, both in HIV-positive and negative children (p=0.41). Anemia was higher in HIV-positive children (p=0.019), especially in those with severe immunosuppression (p=0.001) and in younger children (p=0.0083). Children on HIV treatment presented lower malaria prevalence (8.6% versus 10.10%), though the difference was not significant (p=0.7068). Malaria infection was associated with lower hemoglobin levels (10.5±1.7 versus 11.2±1.4; p=0.016). Conclusion Malaria infection may enhance CD4(+)-T cells. Both malaria and HIV infection lead to a drop in hemoglobin levels. The HIV treatment protocol may reduce malaria prevalence.