| Popis: |
Both Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) andPlasmodium falciparum(P. falciparum) infection are associated with production of several cytokines such as type I Interferons which may be beneficial to the host during acute infection. The plasma level of type I interferons could vary among HIV patients co-infected withP. falciparum. This study therefore, aims to quantify the level of IFN-α, a type 1 interferon, among HIV patients exposed toP. falciparuminfection in selected Hospitals in Niger State, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected from 300 HIV patients for blood film microscopy using Giemsa staining technique and CD4count using flow cytometer. Of these, 65 were selected for IFN-α analysis (22 controls and 43 HIV/P. falciparumpatients) determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (Chi-square test, P < 0.05). Higher levels of IFN-α were observed in patients with mildP. falciparuminfection and in those with low CD4below 200 cells/µL. Conclusively, mildP. falciparuminfection in HIV patients is characterized by up-regulated IFN-α activity. |
