Abstract
Aim: To assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on CD4 + cell count and liver enzymes in HIV-infected patients six months post-therapy based on age and sex distribution. Methods: A cohort of 200 (66 males, 134 females) consenting HAART naïve patients, aged between 16 and 65 years with confirmed cases of HIV infection (by Western blot method) at Lokoja, Nigeria having a baseline CD4 + cell counts ≤350 cells/µL were initiated on HAART for six months. Two blood samples were collected, one at pre-HAART (baseline) and the other at post-HAART (follow-up) phase. CD4 + cells were counted and liver enzymes levels were evaluated using the Partec® Cyflow Counter and Reflotron® Plus Auto-Analyzer, respectively. Results: The immunological outcome of 6 months HAART shows that there was slight increase (statistically, considered not significant, P>0.05) in the post-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count in the different age and sex strata investigated, when comparison was made with the pre-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count. Also, the post HAART liver function test show that the liver enzymes levels were not significantly (P>0.05) elevated when compared to the baseline values. Conclusion: Six months of HAART repleted CD4 + cell counts of HIV-infected patients of different age and sex strata, with no risk of liver damage. Keywords: HIV, HAART, Immune response, CD4 + cell, Liver enzymes
Highlights
The introduction and widespread access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs has revolutionized the management and treatment of HIV/AIDS resulting in a dramatic improved clinical course and survival in infected patients (Hogg et al, 1999)
Current treatment guidelines recommend that HIV-infected patients who have stage I or II clinical disease with a CD4+ cell count
12.1±2.9U/L), respectively, when comparison was made with their pre-HAART mean±SEM
Summary
The introduction and widespread access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs has revolutionized the management and treatment of HIV/AIDS resulting in a dramatic improved clinical course and survival in infected patients (Hogg et al, 1999). Current treatment guidelines recommend the use of a combination of at least 3 ARV drugs which include: 2 Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) combined with 1 medication from either of the 2 remaining classes; the Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) or the Protease Inhibitors (PIs). When such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as highly active antiretroviral therapy – HAART (Hogg et al, 1999; Miller et al, 1999). Since progressive clinical and immunological deterioration of ITODO ET AL
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