Authors: Javaid M.I , Nawaz R , Natiq M , Haider S , Mazhar S , Ghazanfar M. , Ahmad R , Anwar A

Abstract

Background and Objective: CD4+ cell counts and viral loads are the parameters which are used to monitor the health status in individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Viral load affects CD4+ counts, as high levels of virus in blood causes reduction in CD4+ counts leading to symptomatic disease in future. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between CD4+ cell count and viral load in HIV patients.
Methods: One hundred six (106) HIV positive patients presenting at the Pathology laboratory of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan were enrolled for the study. CD4+ counts and viral loads were measured. Association between two parameters was calculated by applying statistical tests. A P value of less than or equal to 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Of the total 106 patients, there were 83 (78.3%) male 17 (16%) female patients and 6 (5.7%) transgenders. Majority of the study population 50/106 (47.2%) had CD4+ lymphocyte count ≥ 500/µl, 38/ 106 (35.8%) cases had CD4+ lymphocyte count in the range of 200 – 499/µl, while CD4+ lymphocyte count < 200/µl was seen in 18/106 (17%) cases. Reciprocal relationship was observed between CD4+ count and viral loads. Statistically significant difference was observed (P = 0.012).
Conclusion: CD4+ cell count and viral load are utilized as predictors of progression and severity of HIV infection.

Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, CD4+ cell count, Viral load