Assessment of Serum Copper and Zinc Status in Patients Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in A Tertiary Health Institution in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The poor prognosis and mortality in HIV infection has been associated with deficiency of micronutrients such as zinc and copper. This study aimed to investigate the level and deficiency of some trace elements in HIV-seropositive subjects receiving HAART treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected hundred and fifty adults with a confirmatory diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and currently receiving HAART at the clinic. Questionnaires were administered to subjects after signing a written informed consent. The concentration of serum levels of zinc and copper after sample collection was analyzed using the spectrometric method and CD4+T-cell count using a flow cytometer. Prevalence was obtained using simple percentages. Mann Whitney U nonparametric test and Chi-square test of independence were used to explore the relationship between Zinc, Copper deficiencies, and CD4 and viral load. Results: The prevalence of copper and zinc deficiency among subjects was 59% and 16.7% respectively. While CD4 count and Viral load did not differ by copper level among subjects, a significant difference in median CD4 count and Viral load was observed across Zinc levels, p-value < 0.05. Further, zinc level was associated with immune suppression among subjects, p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: This study showed that the HAART treatment does not complement micronutrients status rather than the CD4+T-cell count levels. HAART treatment centers on boosting the immune system, while the subjects may still suffer micronutrients deficiency amid improved CD4+T-cell count.