Enumeration of CD4 + T lymphocytes Count among Healthy HIV Seronegative Individuals & People Living with HIV in Manipur

Abstract

Introduction: The CD4+ T lymphocytes are the primary target cells for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The enumeration of CD4+ T cells is the most important marker for HIV disease progression. The estimation of CD4+ T cell counts is used to decide the initiation of anti retroviral therapy (ART), to monitor the efficacy and to start treatment for opportunistic infections (OIs). Hence it is important to establish the reference ranges for the CD4+ T cell counts in the target population to understand the immune dysfunction.Objectives: To determine the reference range of CD4 + T cell counts in healthy HIV seronegative individuals and its comparison with those people living with HIV in Manipur.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out between August 2013 to June 2015 in the Dept. Of Microbiology, RIMS, Imphal, Manipur. Blood samples from 334 HIV seronegative volunteers comprising group I (188 males and 146 females) and 1058 HIV-positive patients comprising group II (525 males and 533 females) in the age group of 17-60 years, were analyzed for enumeration of CD4+ T cell counts by fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) counter (Becton Dickinson).Results: In group I mean CD4 levels were 741 180.349 cells/l. In normal healthy males CD4 levels were 656.99 122.73 cells/l and 849.36 185.190 cells/l among healthy females. In group II mean CD4 levels were 341.43 301.885 cells/l. Among the HIV positive males CD4 levels were 300.35 200.634 cells/l while among the females CD4 levels were 381.89 371.638 cells/l.Conclusion: As there is heterogeneity in baseline CD4 + T cell counts, our findings on T-cell subset reference ranges of normal healthy seronegative people in Manipur validate the utility of determination of CD4 cell count.