Efficacy of Antifolates Against Malaria in HIV-infected Pregnant Women and the Emergence of Induced Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum

Ascertainment of HIV serological status has become a prerequisite for better prevention of malaria. Studies reported that cotrimoxazole reduces malaria episodes in adults (other than pregnant women), and in children. Furthermore, several studies showed a good clinical and parasitological response to cotrimoxazole in treated children. Therefore, preventive treatment with SP for all HIV+ patients (including pregnant women) who are receiving treatment containing cotrimoxazole is superfluous and is even contraindicated because of the increase risk of severe adverse reactions. Few studies, however, have described the efficacy of cotrimoxazole in the prevention of malaria in pregnant women, particularly in an area where the frequency of therapeutic failures with SP in cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria is increasing.

The emergence and augmentation of the frequency of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to SP, which has already been observed in numerous countries of sub-Saharan Africa and in the Central African Republic, challenges the short-term usefulness of this drug combination in the prevention of malaria in pregnant women. The resistance is due to accumulation of point mutations at various sites on the genes coding for dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps). The number of mutations correlates with the extent of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to SP in vitro. In studies carried out in Bangui, the prevalence of therapeutic failure was estimated to be 23.8% after 14 days of follow-up among children with uncomplicated malaria, while the resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to pyrimethamine in vitro was reported to be 38.3%. The frequency of mutations in dhfr and dhps alleles is correlated with in vitro response of Plasmodium falciparum strains to SP.

Pregnancy and HIV infection increase the risk for emergence of mutated strains that are resistant to SP, because a wide variety of types and clones are found in parasitaemia in pregnant women (genetic diversity). Furthermore, some studies raised concern about the possible development of cross-resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to both cotrimoxazole and SP because of the similarity of their mode of action, although this hypothesis has not been proven.

The national malaria programme in the Central African Republic recommends the use of IPT-SP since 2006.

The investigators' main hypothesis is based on the premise that cotrimoxazole is more effective than SP for placental parasitaemia. This might be due to the higher plasma concentration of cotrimoxazole attained with daily doses. If this hypothesis is proven, cotrimoxazole could be recommended as prophylaxis for HIV+ pregnant women, whatever their CD4+ cell count. In this study, the investigators will also test the hypothesis that the strains of Plasmodium falciparum isolated from HIV+ positive pregnant women express more dhfr and dhps resistance markers.

Inclusion criteria

• age ≥ 18 years
• HIV positivity
• gestational age between 16 and 28 weeks
• CD4+ count > 350 cells/mm3 and no sign of WHO stage 2, 3 or 4;
• agreement to attend all the antenatal consultations for the study
• willingness to adhere to all requirements of the study (including HIV-1 voluntary counseling and testing)
• signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• psychological instability that could interfere with compliance;
• hypersensitivity to sulfamides or dermatological disease(eczema, pemphigoid exanthema) that would increase the risk for severe reactions to the drugs being tested
• severe anaemia (Hb<7 g/dl)and any other severe disease
• known hepatic cardiac or renal disease