Abstract :
Introduction: Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus leading to profound immunosuppression and its consequences. Depletion of CD4 T cells is a hallmark of AIDS apart from anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Monitoring of CD4 count is crucial for an effective treatment. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) less than 1000/ml i.e. lymphopenia correlates with lower CD4 counts as per various studies and recommendation by the WHO. Detection of lymphopenia and measurement of ALC are routinely obtained parameters using a basic haematology analyser. This study was done to evaluate the role of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) as an alternative to CD4 count in HIV positive patients.
Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted for the period of two years in the department of Pathology of a tertiary care hospital in western India. 110 HIV positive patients consenting to be the part of the study were included. Complete blood counts (CBC), CD4 and CD8 counts were done for all patients following stringent quality control protocols. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the correlation between various parameters.
Results: 65.5% cases had lymphopenia with an absolute CD4 count
Conclusion : ALC can be considered as a cost effective alternative to absolute CD4 counts in the monitoring of HIV positive patients.
Keyword :
Complete blood count, Absolute lymphocyte count, CD4 count, Flow cytometry.