A Review of CD4 Positive T Lymphocytes Counts among HIV Positive Patients Attending a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To determine the baseline CD4 positive T lymphocytes count of HIV/AIDS treatment naive adults clients presenting for the first time treatment in Benue State University Teaching Hospital. Subjects and Methods: A total of 700 subjects age between 18 years to 70 years, were recruited for the study, comprising 600 HIV sero-positive patients and 100 healthy controls in Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi from 2013 to 2014. The CD4 counts of the subjects were evaluated using a Partec flow cytometer. Results: CD4 count of 200-299 cells/μl peaked with 25% (n=150/600) [control; 0% (n= 0/100)]. The study also showed that 44% (266/600) of HIV subjects had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as defined by low CD4 counts below 200 cells/μl. Seventy-five per cent (n=451/600) of our patients would require to be placed on antiretroviral therapy with CD4 count below 350 cells/μl. At CD4 350 baseline criterion, age group 20-29 years had the highest demand 35% (160/451) for ARV followed by age groups 30-39 and 40-49 years with 28% (128/451) and 22% (98/451) respectively. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among the young Original Research Article Nwadioha et al.; BMRJ, 9(6): 1-7, 2015; Article no.BMRJ.19294 2 active productive age group as defined by CD4 counts below 200 cells/μl. The strict adopting of the ART WHO 2010 scaleup criteria doubles the number of the HIV clients that would qualify for ART with its attendant health benefits on the long run.