Classification of Absolute Cd4+ T Lymphocytes Count in Immunological, Virological and Erythropoietic Growth Factor among HIV Infected Patients

Abstract

Background: HIV-infection resulted in CD4+ T-cell depletion which is accompanied by an increase in CD8+ T-cells resulting in an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. Low CD4/CD8 ratio has been identified as a hallmark of inmmunosenescence and a surrogate of mortality in HIV infected patients especially in ART-naïve patients Aim: Classification of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes count in immunological, virological and erythropoietic growth factor among HIV infected patients Methodology: One hundred samples each was collected from HIV positive subjects on ART and HIV positive subjects ART naïve. Six milliliters of whole blood was collected from each consented subject, 3ml was dispensed into 5ml K2EDTA bottle for immediate analysis of absolute CD4 count, CD8 count, total white cell count and HIV screening. The remaining 3ml of blood was dispensed into plain bottle; serum was extracted for the analysis of erythropoietin and viral load Results: Mean values of CD8, CD4/CD8, EPO and TWBC in CD4 <200 were significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to CD4 >500 and CD4 200-499. Mean values of VL in CD4 <200 were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to CD4 >500 and CD4 200-499 among HIV subjects on ART and ART-naïve Conclusion: Immunological and erythropoetic growth factor assessed in this study were decline while viral load was increasing as HIV infection progresses with depletion in absolute CD4 count, this study shows the efficacy of ART on the treated subjects. However, based on this study, absolute CD8 T cells count, CD4/CD8 ratio and erythropoietin can be used as surrogate makers to ascertain pathogenesis in HIV-infected subjects.