Patterns of CD4+ T-lymphocytes and liver enzymes in adult HIV seropositive cases -

Abstract

Objectives: HIV/AIDS is a rapidly growing epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV is a retrovirus that primarily infects components of the human immune system such as CD4+ T-cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. This study is therefore designed to evaluate the CD4+ T-cell count and liver enzymes of adult HIV seropositive subjects receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and those yet to be started on HAART as well as HIV seronegative control subjects. Methods: Serum levels of CD4+ counts of subjects were determined using flow cytometry while their serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined using enzymatic spectrophotometric method. Results: Serum ALT was found to be significantly increased in the HAART group as compared with those of the two other groups. In addition, serum ALP was significantly increased in the HAART group as compared with the control subjects, while serum AST was higher in the HAART group as compared with the HAART naive group. Conclusion: HAART is associated with hepatotoxicity, thus, it is recommended that liver enzymes should be measured before and periodically after antiretroviral therapy is initiated and/or when HAART regimen is switched, as this will serve a good index for disease monitoring and/or progression.