Levels of serum HIV-1 RNA viral load in tuberculosis patients with or without intestinal parasites during treatment of tuberculosis in Gondar, Ethiopia
Background: HIV-1 RNA viral load is a powerful predictor of risk for disease progression in subjects infected with HIV. However, studies assessing VL in co-infected patients are very scarce. This study was, therefore, aimed at determining VL in tuberculosis (TB) and HIV-1 co-infected patients with or without intestinal parasites and also to assess its variation with treatment.
Methods: TB was diagnosed following standard clinical, bacteriological, radiological and histological procedures. HIV serostatus was checked by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. One hundred nineteen TB/HIV-1 co-infected patients were includedas a baseline and 22 were re-examined at the end of intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy. Stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites by conventional microscopy and serum viral load was determined using an Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor RTPCR assay.
Results: Forty-five (37.8%) patients were found infected with one or more species of intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis were the most frequently detected species. The mean (±SD) serum viral load (log10 RNA copies/ ml) of patients at baseline was 4.82 (±0.66) without a significant difference by status of intestinal parasitoses. In patients with follow up treatment the viral load declined from 4.84 (±0.45) to 4.52 (±0.66) at the end of the intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy (P=0.07). In five patients who were also treated for intestinal parasites, viral load declined from 5.02 (±0.38) to 4.47 (±0.66) (P<0.05). A mean increase of 0.58 (±0.33) was seen in seven patients (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The lack of significant decline in viral load at the end of the intensive phase of anti-TB treatment may indicate increased morbidity in the patients. Intervention measures such as provision of anti-retroviral and anti-parasite therapy may help to reduce morbidity.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2008 The Author(s)
Similar Articles
- Dessie Tegegne, Aschalew Gelaw, Demeke Endalamaw, Getachew Ferede, Baye Gelaw, The association between ABO blood groups and norovirus infections among patients suffering from diarrheal disease in Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024)
- Getu Degu Alene, Harmful Traditional Health Practices: A Cross – Sectional Survey among Under-Five Children in Dembia District, North-West Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)
- Andinet Dessalegn, Bernard B Anderson, Cancer of the Anus: A Five Year Review of Cases at Gondar University Hospital and a Thirty-Five Year Experience of a Single Surgeon , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012)
- Lemma Derseh, Belaynew Wasie, Melkie Edris, Unsafe Sexual Practice among Cross-Border Commercial Sex Workers in Mettema Yohannis, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012)
- Bahiru Tenaw, Abebe Muche, Engidaw Fentahun , Abyot Endale , An Evaluation of Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity of Methanolic Root Extract Of Myricasalicifolia A. Rich (Myricaceae) On the Histopathology of the Liver, the Kidney and Some Blood Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Zeki Abdurahman, Mohammed Kedir, Chronic Sigmoid Volvulus , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Meseret Mulu, Alem Getaneh, Worku Ferede, Aschalew Gelaw, Nasal Carriage Rate Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern And Associated Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women At The University Of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2021)
- Shumet Mussa, Desie Kasew, Yitayih Wondimeneh, Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among medical waste handlers, Northeast Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2022)
- Bayeh Abera, Yeshambel Belyhun, Fantahun Biadegelgen, The Bacteriology of Rhinosinusitis at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)
- Binyam Tilahun, Assegid Samuel, Alemayehu Teklu, Binyam Kefyalew, Adane Nigussie, Marta Feletto, Embedded Implementation Research on Compassionate and Respectful Care Services in the Ethiopian Health System , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 1 (2022)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Teshome Fetene, Netsanet Worku, Kahsay Huruy, Effect of N-P Fertilizers and Cow Dung on the Larval Development of Mosquitoes in Simulated Field in Alagae, Central Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009)
- Mebrate Dufera, Beyene Petros, Tekola Endeshaw, Hussien Mohammed, Afework Kassu, Opportunistic Intestinal Protozoan Parasites among HIV Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at Nekemte Hospital, West Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)
- Ermias Diro, Situs Inversus Totalis with Aortopulmonary Shunt: A Case Report in an Ethiopian , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009)