Relationship between Red blood cell parameters and immune status in HIV infected females

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Original Article

Author Details : Vanisri HR, Vadiraja N

Volume : 3, Issue : 2, Year : 2016

Article Page : 255-259

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Abstract

Background & Objectives: The Hematologic changes in Human immuno­deficiency virus (HIV) infection are well established as the most important complication of the disease. These abnormalities are clinically important in many patients. Hemoglobin levels reveal rapidity of disease development rates and independently predict prognosis. Significance of Red cell distribution width lies in establishing the differential diagnosis of anemia. The intention of this study was to explore red blood cell parameters and immune status and to estimate the relationship between RBC indices and immune status.
Methods: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between RBC parameters and immune status in HIV patients. Subjects for the study were the reports of hundred HIV patients who are not on anti retroviral therapy, registered in the ART centre. RBC parameters and CD4 cell counts were studied.
Results: Among the 52 HIV infected female patients, the CD4 count was significant and positively correlated with MCV, MCH, MCHC, Hemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (PCV) values. However, insignificant but negative association could be seen between RDW and RBC. Sample median CD4 was 495cells/cmm. However, minimum was 20cells/cmm and maximum was 1300cells/cmm. These two extreme points had an influence on the median. Majority, i.e. 35 females had less than the median CD4 count. The range was 1280cells/cmm indicated that the variability was too high.
Conclusion: It is well known that HIV infection is frequently associated with hematologic manifestations, thus affecting the RBC parameters. Anemia influences the natural history of HIV by increasing the disease progression rate and mortality. Majority of the females affected are in their reproductive age group. Untreated anemia may lead to multisystem disabling symptoms and fatigue, exhaustion, increased risk of HIV dementia and poor quality of life. On the other hand, endurance time in HIV-infected persons may be improved after recovery from anemia. There is significant association with reduced CD4 cell count and altered RBC parameters. Therefore it is important to evaluate the RBC parameters to improve the health and survival potential of HIV infected persons.

Key words: HIV, CD4 cells, Hemoglobin, RDW, MCV

How to cite : Vanisri Hr, Vadiraja N, Relationship between Red blood cell parameters and immune status in HIV infected females. Indian J Pathol Oncol 2016;3(2):255-259

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