CD4 COUNTS IN HIV POSITIVE SUBJECTS BEFORE AND DURING ANTI-RETRO VIRALTHERAPY

Abstract

This study was designed io assess the impact of three drugs used in anti-retroviral therapy (ART), on the CD4’T cell count and weight of the HIV seropositive participants. For this study, 50 Symptomatic HIV seropositive participants on combination anti-retroviral therapy (ART) of Starudine, Lamivudine & Nevirapine were recruited for the study. Similarly, 15 HIV seronegative subjects were recruited and they served as Control Subjects. Blood sample collected from the participants were used to determine CD4’T cell counts by magnetic field method while the weight of the participants were determined using weighing scale. The result showed that the mean (±SD) blood CD4’T cell count before ART was 192:109 while 2 months after commencing the therapy was 259±108. However, the mean CD4’T cell count in Control subjects was 844±133. This showed that the CD4’T cell count was significantly reduced in the HIV seropositive participants before and after 2 months ART compared with the control value (P<0.05 in each case). Amongst the HIV seropositive subjects, 92% had improved CD4’T cell count, 6% had no difference in their CD4’T cell count; while 2% had decreased CD4’T cell count between pre and 2 months post ART. There was a significant reduction in weight of HIV seropositive participants compared with that of Control participants (P<0.05). 90% of the  HIV infected participants gained weight, 6% lost weight while 4% had no difference in weight within the period under study. The finding in the present study showed the impact of HIV infection on both CD4’T cell count and weight. An appreciation in both CD4’T cell count and weight in this HIV seropositive subjects within 2 months of ART portends possible good prognosis. However, the failure of appreciation in some relevant percentage of studied participants calls for attention.