HIV and Malaria co-infection and the impact of viral load and HAART usage on the development of Plasmodium falciparum Artemisinin and Lumefantrine resistant genes in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria co-infection poses a serious health threat in sub-Saharan Africa and other endemic countries. Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is currently used to suppress viral loads. Methods: Blood samples collected from 400 participants comprising 200 HIV sero-positive and 200 sero-negative individuals was added to EDTA sample containers. Malaria parasitemia was evaluated using standard parasitological techniques followed by PCR techniques using the Quick Load One Taq One Step Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for characterization of species of Plasmodium and resistant studies using specific primers. HIV viral load estimation was done using COBAS® TaqMan® Analyzer. Results: Malaria has prevalent rate of 22.75% in the study population, while the prevalence of malaria infection among the HIV sero-positive and sero-negative is 77.0% and 23% respectively. Socio-demographic factors had no significant association with the development of resistant genes. HAART exposed individuals had prevalence of PfK13 (6.9%) and Pfmdr-1 (20.8%). Viral load was significantly related with the development of resistant genes (100%) and (86.1%) for PfK13 and Pfmdr-1 respectively. Conclusion: Unsuppressed viral load in HIV sero-positive individuals heightens the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia and increases the chances of possible emergence and spread of PfK13 and Pfmdr-1 genes.

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Viral and immunological markers of HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma recurrence

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254177 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254177

Author(s):

Owen Ngalamika ◽

Marie Claire Mukasine ◽

Musonda Kawimbe ◽

Faheema Vally

Keyword(s):

Kaposi Sarcoma ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sustained Remission ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Viral Loads ◽

Cytokines And Chemokines ◽

Immunological Markers ◽

Sub Saharan

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining angio-proliferative malignancy highly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with recurrence of HIV-associated KS. We recruited a cohort of individuals on antiretroviral therapy who were in remission for HIV-associated KS after undergoing cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy. Collected variables included sociodemographic and clinical parameters, cytokines and chemokines, HIV viral loads, and CD4 counts. Compared to individuals who had KS recurrence, IL-5 was significantly higher at time of follow-up in individuals who had sustained remission (22.7pg/ml vs. 2.4pg/ml; p = 0.02); IL-6 was significantly higher at baseline and time of follow-up in individuals who had sustained remission, (18.4pg/ml vs. 0pg/ml; p = 0.01) and (18.0pg/ml vs. 0.18pg/ml; p = 0.03) respectively; IP-10 was significantly lower at baseline and at time of follow-up in individuals who had sustained remission, (534pg/ml vs. 920pg/ml; p = 0.04) and (446pg/ml vs.1098pg/ml; p = 0.01) respectively; while HIV viral load was significantly lower at baseline and at time of follow-up in individuals who had sustained remission, (0copies/ml vs. 113copies/ml; p = 0.004) and (0copies/ml vs. 152copies/ml; p = 0.025) respectively. Plasma levels of IL-5, IL-6, and IP-10 are associated with recurrence of HIV-associated KS, while persistently detectable HIV viral loads increase the risk of KS recurrence.

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Access to HIV Viral Load Testing and Antiretroviral Therapy Switch Practices: A Multicountry Prospective Cohort Study in Sub-Saharan Africa

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses ◽

10.1089/aid.2020.0049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (11) ◽

pp. 918-926

Author(s):

Pascale Ondoa ◽

Andrea A. Kim ◽

T. Sonia Boender ◽

Guoqing Zhang ◽

Stefanie Kroeze ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Viral Load ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Load Testing ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Therapy Switch

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HIV Viral Load Monitoring Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy — Eight Sub-Saharan Africa Countries, 2013–2018

MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ◽

10.15585/mmwr.mm7021a2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (21) ◽

pp. 775-778

Author(s):

Shirley Lee Lecher ◽

Peter Fonjungo ◽

Dennis Ellenberger ◽

Christiane Adje Toure ◽

George Alemnji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Viral Load Monitoring ◽

Load Monitoring ◽

Sub Saharan

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Associations between highly active antiretroviral therapy and the presence of HPV, premalignant and malignant cervical lesions in sub-Saharan Africa, a systematic review: current evidence and directions for future research

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015123 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (8) ◽

pp. e015123 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sonia Menon ◽

Rodolfo Rossi ◽

Natasha Zdraveska ◽

Mbabazi Kariisa ◽

Sushama D Acharya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Invasive Cervical Cancer ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Cervical Lesions ◽

Highly Active ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesIn sub-Saharan Africa, substantial international funding along with evidence-based clinical practice have resulted in an unparalleled scale-up of access to antiretroviral treatment at a higher CD4 count. The role and timing of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in mediating cervical disease remains unclear. The aim of this article is to systematically review all evidence pertaining to Africa and identify research gaps regarding the epidemiological association between HAART use and the presence of premalignant/malignant cervical lesions.MethodFive databases were searched until January 2017 to retrieve relevant literature from sub-Saharan Africa. Publications were included if they addressed prevalence, incidence or clearance of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women undergoing HAART as well as cytological or histological neoplastic abnormalities.Results22 studies were included, of which seven were prospective studies. Women receiving HAART are less likely to develop squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). There is evidence that duration of HAART along with the CD4 count may reduce the prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV), suggesting that without HAART, severe immunosuppression increases the risk of becoming or remaining infected with HR-HPV. Furthermore, according to existent literature, the CD4 count, rather than HAART coverage or its duration, plays a central role in the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and CIN 3.ConclusionOur findings suggest a positive impact of HAART duration, in conjunction and interaction with CD4 count, on reducing the prevalence of HR-HPV. The greatest treatment effect might be seen among women starting at the lowest CD4 count, which may have a more instrumental role in cervical oncogenesis than either HAART use or the treatment duration on the prevalence of CIN 2 and CIN 3. There is still insufficient evidence to show a clear association between HAART coverage and the incidence of invasive cervical cancer. Enhanced surveillance on the impact of HAART treatment is crucial.

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Comparison of guidelines for HIV viral load monitoring among pregnant and breastfeeding women in sub-Saharan Africa

AIDS ◽

10.1097/qad.0000000000002400 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 311-315 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maia Lesosky ◽

Janet M. Raboud ◽

Tracy Glass ◽

Sean S. Brummel ◽

Andrea L. Ciaranello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Viral Load Monitoring ◽

Load Monitoring ◽

Sub Saharan

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Age-dependent inequalities in HIV/STI burden and care receipt among men and transgender persons who have sex with men in Nairobi

10.1101/2021.06.23.21259373 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adrian Smith ◽

Elizabeth Fearon ◽

Rhoda Kibuti ◽

Erastus Irungu ◽

Mary Kungu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Self Report ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

African Countries ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Transgender Persons ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Sex With Men

Background Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender persons (TP) bear high burdens of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub-Saharan Africa, yet evidence of HIV care coverage for these groups is sparse from the region despite prevailing stigma and discrimination towards these groups. Methods 618 GBMSM/TP were recruited in Nairobi between May to December 2017 using respondent-driven sampling. Participants reported recent sexual behaviour, HIV testing and care receipt, and symptoms of STIs. Participants tested for HIV using Kenyan testing algorithms and GeneXpert methods, syphilis, viral hepatitis and ano-genital gonorrhoea and chlamydia. We assessed associations with HIV status and detectable HIV viral load using multivariable robust Poisson regression models. Findings 26.4% (286/618) were HIV positive of whom 76.5% were status aware, 65.3% were on ART, and 47.4% were virally suppressed (<50 copies/ml). Participants 18-22 years old were less likely to be status aware, be receiving ART or to have achieved viral suppression. Mean log viral load was 3.14 log higher in 18-22 year olds compared to older participants. Bacterial STIs were frequently detected at both urethral and rectal sites and a majority of infections at both sites were asymptomatic by self-report (rectal 82.2%, urethral 90.8%). Interpretation Engagement in the HIV diagnosis and care cascade among GBMSM/TP in Kenya is markedly better than in most sub-Saharan African countries. However it falls short of achievements among the general population in the country and cascades achieved in GBMSM in high income settings. Young men and transgender persons who have sex with men are least well served by the current configuration of adult key population services, and programmes should identify and address the sexual, social and developmental needs of adolescent and young key populations

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Conflicts in Biafra, Katanga and Cabinda as a result of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism

OOO Zhurnal Voprosy Istorii ◽

10.31166/voprosyistorii202010statyi60 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 (10-3) ◽

pp. 238-246

Author(s):

Olga Dzhenchakova

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Colonial Period ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Post Colonial ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Republic ◽

The Impact

The article considers the impact of the colonial past of some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and its effect on their development during the post-colonial period. The negative consequences of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism are shown on the example of three countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Angola, expressed in the emergence of conflicts in these countries based on ethno-cultural, religious and socio-economic contradictions. At the same time, the focus is made on the economic factor and the consequences of the consumer policy of the former metropolises pursuing their mercantile interests were mixed.

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