Association between Red blood cell parameters and immune status in HIV infected males

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hematologic changes have been accepted as a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. It has been demonstrated that severe anemia is linked with faster rate of HIV disease progression. HIV infection affects hematological indices like MCV (Mean corpuscular volume), MCH (Mean corpuscular haemoglobin) and MCHC (Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) of patients regardless of age, sex and ART. The rationale of this study was to recognize the association between RBC parameters and immune status in male HIV infected patients. Methods: The objective of this study was to consider red blood cell parameters and immune status and to contemplate the relationship between RBC indices and immune status. Results: Among the 48 HIV infected male patients, the CD4 count was significant and positively correlated with the Hemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (PCV) values. RDW and MCHC were negatively associated but insignificant with CD4 cell count. RBC, MCV and MCH were positively associated but insignificant. CD4 cell count had a wide range with 1376 cells /cmm because of the impact of one patient whose CD4 count was 1435cells/cmm. However, the median was 290 cells /cmm indicating 50% of patients showed deteriorating CD4 cell counts. Conclusion: HIV infection affects the RBC parameters. Anemia is a significant predictor of HIV progression to AIDS. Hemoglobin concentration could be used as a consistent biomarker of the prognosis in HIV-infected patients, and that a therapeutic approach is vital for patients with anemia. There is significant association with reduced CD4 cell count and altered hemoglobin and hematocrit. Evaluation of these parameters certainly improves the condition and endurance of HIV infected patients. Keywords: HIV, CD4 cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Anemia