Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

Study of the Toxicity of “Spirulina Plus” in HIV1 Infected Patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Barry Mamoudou, Guissou Inocent Pierre, Nikiéma Jean Baptiste, Drabo Issouf. Joseph, Yameogo Sibiri, Sawadogo Abdoulaye and Da Heri

Spirulina is often used in patients being treated with antiretroviral (ART) because of its nutritional and immunostimulatory properties despite the absence of data on the possible consequences of its association with ARTs. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the safety and toxicity of Spirulina enriched with selenium and zinc (“spirulina plus”) in patients treated with ARTs. From 15 April 2010 to 15 April 2012, a randomized clinical test compared four groups of patients infected with HIV- 1 and treated with different diets: a group of patients taking only placebo, a second group treated only with “Spiruline plus”, a third group taking ARTs and placebo, the fourth group taking ARTs and “Spiruline plus”. Anthropometric, clinical and biological data were collected during the inclusion and during the follow-up (3 and 6 months after the inclusion). One hundred and thirteen (113) patients infected with HIV-1 were shadowed from the inclusion to six months; almost two thirds of whom (63.7%) were taking ARTs. Neither a difference of intolerance nor toxicity was observed between the four groups of treatment. There were no significant changes, biological parameters between the four groups of treatment. The few undesirable side effects reported in the ART group and “Spiruline plus” were classified as having low intensity. “Spiruline plus” results in neither more undesirable side effects nor in toxicity in persons with HIV taking ARTs. It is tolerated with ARTs.