TITLE:
The Pattern of Haematological Changes in the Baseline Blood Cell Counts and the CD4⁺ T Lymphocyte Levels among Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve Adult HIV Positive Patients in a Nigerian Hospital
AUTHORS:
Taiwo Modupe Balogun, Abiola Omosalewa Alao, Olawunmi Femi Olaosebikan, Adewunmi James Aremu, Oladunni Olajumoke Adegbite
KEYWORDS:
Haematology, Complications, HIV Infection, Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.10 No.3,
August
17,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Haematological abnormalities are strong independent predictors of
morbidity and mortality in HIV infection. Objectives of the Study: This study was carried out to assess the pattern of the changes in the
baseline peripheral blood cell counts among adult HIV positive patients. To
also determine the CD4+ T cell levels and its correlation with the changes in the baseline cell
counts of the patients using HIV negative blood donors as controls. Methods: This was a case controlled prospective study. The
subjects were antiretroviral therapy naive adult HIV positive patients and HIV
negative blood donor controls. Five milliliters (5 mls) of
venous blood was collected from the cubitus of every consecutive consenting
subject. Blood sample was analysed for baseline complete blood cell counts and
the CD4+ T
lymphocyte levels using Sysmex and Cyflow R Counter autoanalysers respectively.
Obtained data was analysed with the statistical package for the social
scientist (SPSS version 20.0). The Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of subjects
was measured by the manual standard Westergreen method. Results: Of 300
subjects, there were 139 (46.3%) males and 161 (53.7%) females in the study.
Anaemia was found in 72 (29.2%), leucopenia in 20 (8%)
and thrombocytopenia in 6 (2.4%) of the patients. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rates of the
subjects were 81.88 mm/hr and 9.46 mm/hr (p = 0.000) for the patients and the controls respectively. The
mean CD4+ T lymphocyte cell counts were 293 cells/μl
and 750 cells/μl (p = 0.000) for the patients and controls respectively. Conclusion: Anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were more
prevalent among the studied HIV positive patients.