Cytokine profiles among HIV and malaria co-infected pregnant mothers and their babies post delivery

Abstract

Malaria and HIV co-infected mothers have an increased risk of poor birth outcome, spontaneous abortion, malaria infection and early progression of HIV to AIDS. This study examines the impact of HIV and malaria on the levels of cytokines in peripheral blood from mothers and their new borns. 149 pregnant mothers and 30 babies born to 63 HIV infected mothers were engaged in longitudinal study for 18 months in the endemic area of Saki and Ibadan. Blood samples collected from mothers and babies’ cord blood were tested for HIV and malaria parasite. ELISA was used to determine the plasma concentration of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-γ and statistical tests were considered significant at P< 0.05. There was no correlation between HIV status and the profiles of anti-inflammatory cytokines but a direct relationship exists between cytokine levels and malaria infection. The increased levels of IL-10 in HIV-infected mothers could worsen the incidence of falciparum malaria.