In a recent study in pregnant women in Zimbabwe, HIV-infection was a negative predictor of serum folate, and the authors suggested this may be because of reduced intake and absorption, and increased catabolism in HIV-infected pregnant women. Because HIV-seropositive women as a group may have a different folic acid status (and a potential different reaction to folic acid supplementation) than HIV-seronegative women, it is important to assess HIV-status in study participants. It is also important to confirm that no difference exists between HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women in efficacy of SP for clearance of peripheral parasitemia.