CD4 count, viral load and parasite density of HIV positive individuals undergoing malaria treatment with dihydroartemisinin in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria.

Background & Objectives: A prospective study on 72 HIV infected and 33 HIV negative individuals undergoing malaria treatment with dihydroartemisinin (Cotecxin) was undertaken to compare CD4 cells count, viral load and parasite density at two time-points, a baseline visit and a 9-day post-treatment visit.

Methods: CD4 count and viral load of the subjects were estimated using Dynabeads T4-T8 Quantification Protocol (Dyneal Biotech, Norway) and Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor Test respectively (Roche, United Kingdom).

Results: There was a significant decrease in CD4 count at 9-day post-treatment when compared with baseline value (p < 0.