. Anemia also comprises a significant
proportion of the adverse events secondary to antiretroviral
therapy (ART) [6,7]. Hematologic abnormalities have been
documented as strong independent predictors of morbidity and
mortality in HIV-infected patients [8]. A large epidemiological
study of 32,867 HIV-infected adults and adolescents in USA found
that the risk of death was 170% greater for persons with persistent
anemia compared with those whose anemia had resolved [9]. This
study showed that anemia, particularly anemia that does not
resolve, is associated with shorter survival of HIV-infected patients
[9]. Anemia is also one of the strongest predictors of HIV
mortality and poor responses to ART [8]. Reduction of anemia is
thus one of the key components of medical care for HIV-infected
patients.