Correlation of Whole Blood Zinc Levels, CD4 Cell Count, Disease Stage, and Dermatologic Manifestations Among HIV Patients: A Single Center Experience in Philippines

Objective: Zinc deficiency is the most common micronutrient abnormality seen in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Depletion of CD4 cells is a hallmark of HIV infection. The study aims to determine the association between whole blood zinc levels and CD4 cell count and stage of HIV infection among patients in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Methods: Sixty-five newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients of the institution were recruited. Demographic profile, whole blood zinc levels, CD4 cell count level, HIV disease stage, and presence of any dermatologic manifestations were noted. Prevalence of zinc deficiency and correlation between whole blood zinc levels and CD4 cell count were determined. The data were analyzed by chi-square and pearson correlation analysis. Results: Among the 65 patients, overall zinc deficiency was noted at 33.8%. Low CD4 count and HIV disease stage IV participants had the highest percentage of zinc deficiency at 54.6% and 50%, respectively. A correlation coefficient at r = 0.3364 was noted between whole blood zinc levels and CD4 cell count (P = 0.006). Twenty-nine patients presented with dermatologic manifestations, with 10 patients being zinc deficient. Conclusion: A weak positive correlation was seen between zinc levels and CD4 count. There is an increasing frequency of zinc level deficiency with a higher HIV disease stage. Dermatologic manifestations of HIV may be present in both patients with normal and deficient zinc levels.