[procaare] Re: Malaria linked to catastrophic spread of AIDS in Africa (1)

["D.M Owili" <dmowili@africaonline.co.ke>]

Re: Malaria linked to catastrophic spread of AIDS in Africa (1)
- D.M Owili, Kenya
*************

I don't fully agree with the Nairobi researchers that Malaria is linked to catastrophic spread of AIDS in Africa. As a clinician who has been looking after patients with HIV/ AIDS  since 1986,  we know that  there are many predisposing factors which can reduce  immune status and increase viremia in AIDS patients. These include many opportunistic  other co-infections and mulnutrition.   I do agree with Sharif's statement that  malaria increases the viral load in AIDS patients but with or without malaria infection, the HIV virus  would still be transmissable.

While I respect the Nairobi research finding, it should not appear to give
wrong impression to the public that the spread of AIDS in Africa is due
malaria.

Dr. D.M. Owili
Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
Email: dmowili@africaonline.co.ke