Clinical characteristics and survival of patients with HIV/AIDS and pulmonary tuberculosis / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and pulmonary tuberculosis, and investigate their survival and influencing factors of survival. Methods A total of 107 patients with HIV/AIDS and pulmonary tuberculosis were selected. The relationships of clinical symptoms, CT findings and CD4 cell count with positive laboratory tests were analyzed. Th survival of patients was investigated, and independent risk factors for death were analyzed. Results Most the 107 patients had symptoms such as cough, chest pain and fatigue. CT findings mainly included patchy shadow (75.70%), tree-in-bud sign (46.73%), nodular shadow (35.51%) and pulmonary hilar or mediastinal lymph node enlargement (86.92%). The proportion of lesions ≥ 3 pulmonary fields (47.66%) was higher. The positive rates of purified protein derivative (PPD), acid-fast bacilli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were significantly higher in the CD4 cell count > 200/µL group than in the ≤200/µL group (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in body mass index (BMI), baseline CD4 cell count, multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and standard anti-tuberculosis treatment between the survival group and the death group (P<0.05). Baseline CD4 cell count ≤200/µL, MDR-TB, and no standard anti-tuberculosis treatment were independent risk factors for death of patients with HIV/AIDS and pulmonary tuberculosis (P<0.05). Conclusion The clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations of patients with HIV/AIDS and pulmonary tuberculosis are complex and diverse, but characteristic. Baseline CD4 cell count ≤200/µL, MDR-TB and no standard anti-tuberculosis treatment are main risk factors for death of the patients.

Relationship between C-reactive protein, ferritin serum and cluster of differentiation 4 cell count with pulmonary tuberculosis in naive HIV patient in Bali

Background:Diagnostic of Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remain challenging. Evaluation based on clinical symptoms, inflammation biomarkers, and immunodeficiency status, can provide a feature of PTB disease in HIV patient. The aim of thestudy was to analyze the relationship between acute phase reactant and immunodeficiency status with PTB in patients with na飗e HIV infection.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in Sanglah General Hospital and Kuta Selatan Public Health Service on February-June 2021. C-reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin serum levels, and CD-4 cell count were obtained from patient's serum. Data were collected by questionnaire. Bivariate analysis using Chi square test or Kolmogorov Smirnovtest, and multivariate analysis using logistic regression.Results:A total of 60 participants were included in this study, and 58.3% had pulmonary tuberculosis (38.3% bacteriologically confirmed, 20% clinically confirmed). Fifty five percent participants had CRP level ?10 mg/l, 83% had ferritin serum level ?260ng/ml, and 83% had CD4 cell count<200 cell/ml. Multivariate analysis showed that the most influential factor for PTB in HIV patients was CRP level?10 mg/l (adjusted prevalence ratio/APR=4.9; 95%CI=7.81-2327,04,p=0.001) and ferritin serum level ?260 ng/ml(APR=3.32,95%CI=1.752-433.65,p=0.018).Conclusions:High CRP and ferritin serum levels were significantly related with PTB in naive HIV patients. No relationship was found between low CD4 cell count and PTB in naive HIV patients

Current Scenario of Oppoutunistic Fungal Infections other than the Candida and Aspergillus Species, their correlation and Outcome with the CD4+T Cell Counts among Various Respiratory Samples in Immuno Competent and Immunocomporomised Individuals in Aligarh Region, A North India Town

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections other than theCandida species and Aspergillus species are becomingcommon in the nosocomial setting particularly among theimmunocompromised patients but there is a hinderance intheir accurate diagnosis. Aim of our study was to know theprevalence of rare fungal species and to know the patientsoutcome in our region. Aim of our study is to know theprevalence of rare fungal species and to know the patientsoutcome in our region.Material amd Methods: The present study was carried outon the patients attending outpatient department and inpatientdepartment of T.B. and Respiratory Diseases, along with thoseattending antiretroviral treatment clinic and ICTC (Departmentof Microbiology), in J. N. Medical College, AMU during theperiod of January 2015 to October 2016.Results: Majority of the cases i.e., 47 (31.3%) were between31-40 years with a mean age of 32.5 years. Of 65 isolates,Cryptococcus neoformans and Pneumocystis jiroveciirepresented 2 (6.1%) isolates each, all of which were foundin HIV positive cases. 1 (3.1%) isolate of Mucor from adiabetic patient and 1 (3.1%) isolate of Penicillium marneffeifrom an HIV positive patient as detected. Cryptococcus andPneumocystis jirovecii were isolated from both patients withCD4 count< 200. and 114(+19.9) respectively.Conclusions: Invasive fungal infections other than thecandidia species and aspergillus species are becoming verycommon now a days.

Pattern of Maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Colonization in Relation to CD4 Count among HIV Positive Women in Jos

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of GBS colonization among HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women in relation to CD4 cell counts.Materials and Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study of 200 pregnant women (100 HIV positive and 100 HIV negative) and 100non-pregnant women (50 HIVpositive and 50 HIV negative) obtaining health care at the Jos University Teaching Hospital betweenJuly 2017 and November 2017. Systematic sampling technique and written informed consent were used in recruiting subjects for this study. High vaginal and anorectal swabs were collected from each subject after filling a structured questionnaire. CD4 cell count was also done for all the HIV positive patients at Aids Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The results from the laboratory analysis of the specimens were computed using SPSS version 21.Results: A colonization rate of 7.3% was observed in HIV positive patients compare to 5.3% in HIV negative. The different in colonization rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (X2 = 0.507; P = 0.477) (Table 1). In pregnant women living with HIV, colonization rate was 8.0% compare to 5.0% observed in non-pregnant women living with HIV. This however, was not statistically significant (Table 2) (χ2 = 0.013; P = 0.908). HIV positive subjects with low CD4 counts (<200cells/μl) were observed to have highcolonization rate (20.0%) than patients with high CD4 counts (≥500 cells/μl). Those with CD4 counts between 200-499 cells/μl had 8.1% colonization rate. These findings, though not statistically significant (Table 4) (χ2 = 1.3814; P = 0.2399), the increased colonization rate in low CD4 cell counts may be due to inability of the patient to mount immune response against the organism.Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in GBS colonization among HIV positive patients. A higher colonization rate was observed in HIV patients among the age group 21-25 years; ager was not significantly risk factor for GBS colonization in HIV patients. CD4 cell counts seem not to play any significant role in GBS colonization rate. Although, it was observed to be higher in patients with low CD4 cell counts; the different was not statistically significant

Correlations between clinical features and CD4 cell count in HIV patients with tuberculosis

Background: The correlation between tuberculosis and HIV is evident from the higher incidents of tuberculosis estimated 5-8% per year among HIV infected person with lesser CD4cell count. The high seroprevalence with tuberculosis in occurrence among AIDS patients.Methods: 100 HIV positive patients with tuberculosis who were admitted to medicine department and who visited to ARTS center were taken up for study for period of two years from December 2014 to 2016. Type of study is a observational comparative cross sectional study The investigation for HIV and TB were done as per NACO and WHO recommendation ELISA test CD4 cell counts AFB staining chest X-ray FNAC Mountoux test pleural fluid analysis Ascitic fluid analysis CSF fluid analysis USG of thorax CT scan of thorax.Results: It is seen that the maximum number of patients belong to the age group 31-40 years male 40 (40%) and female 4(4%) the common occupation in the study group was driver 36 (36%) the common constitutional symptom was weight loss physical examination reveal underweight (BMI <16-18.5) 54 (54%) among the study extra-pulmonary TB 63 (63%) X-ray chest finding pleural effusion found in 21% of patients CD4 cell counts 200-500 /µl was seen maximum number of patients.Conclusions: The CD4cell counts is important investigation in HIV and TB patients it is main investigation to know prognosis of HIV also important for initiation of ARV drugs.it is evident from this study the decrease the CD4cell counts there is increase the incidence of tuberculosis.

Prospective study of opportunistic infections among HIV infected patients in VSS Institute of Medical Science and Research, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha, India

Background: HIV destroys the CD4+T cells progressively thus making the HIV infected persons susceptible to a number of opportunistic infections (OIs).Methods: The study was conducted in the Medicine Department and ART Centre, VIMSAR. It is a prospective study from July 2016 to September 2017.Results: 86 patients register, detail history, clinical examination and investigation were done and then the data is complying in detail. Most of the patients were male (72%) male female ratio is 2.6:1. The majority of patients presented with fever, weight loss and anorexia seen in more than 73% of the study population.Conclusions: (42%) cases belonged to the CD4+T cell count range of 101-200/µl with aCD4+T cell count of 183/µl, so there is increased chance of hospitalization in patients having CD4+T cell count below 200/µl. The most common OI was tuberculosis (51%) with pleural effusion as its commonest manifestation. The second most common OI was candidiasis (43%) with most cases suffering from oral candidiasis was seen to occur at higher CD4+T cell counts than tuberculosis.

Prospective study of tubercular co-infection in HIV infected patients in VIMSAR, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha, India

Background: Puerperium is of 6 weeks after delivery, when body reverts back to its original non pregnant state. This period holds its own set of medical issues with frequent occurrence of gynaecological complaints like hematoma, bleeding, painful discharge and many medical issues like pyrexia, mastalgia, coagulation disorders and depression. The management of all these problems is further complicated by consideration of lactation which prohibits use of many drugs. There are many studies available in international communities that analysed women in puerperium but the data from Indian subpopulation where most deliveries are conducted in government funded institutes is lacking. The current study was an observational single center study carried out at gynaecology department along with medicine and surgery department of a tertiary care hospital associated with a medical teaching institute for defining the epidemiological parameters of the puerperal maladies.Methods: 150 randomly selected pregnant subjects with otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies, both booked at our institute or referred at the time of delivery between January to July 2016 were included in the study. Both normal vaginal or assisted deliveries were considered irrespective of booking status. Patient not willing for consent, and patients reporting beyond 2 weeks of delivery were excluded. All patients were observed while in hospital and weekly thereafter till 6th week and detailed gynaecological, medical and psychiatric evaluation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team. Detailed evaluation of cause was carried out in all cases of pyrexia, pain or other objective symptoms and analysis of depression was done. All data were collected and analysed by spss 22.0 at the end of 6 weeks.Results: Of the 150 patients studied, 40% had caesarean delivery while 60% had normal vaginal delivery with or without episiotomy. The most common complications noted during puerperium were wound discharge (10.67%), perineal pain (10%), fever (15%) and Mastalgia & Mastitis (13%). Depression was diagnosed in 6% of the studied cases. Cause of fever was mastitis/breast abscess in 30%, Urinary tract infection in 24%, Malaria in 7% and puerperal sepsis in 12% cases, in rest of the cases the cause of fever could not be found. The puerperal complication rate was more in LSCS 22.95% as compared with vaginal deliveries 14.6%.Conclusions: Puerperium remains an important aspect of pregnancy where the nature of complications differs totally from those seen during antenatal period. Our study suggests that most important complications in puerperium are purulent discharge, perineal pain and pyrexia. Depression is a frequent occurrence in post-partum period and its early identification can benefit both maternal and child health. Fever in puerperium is fairly common Perineal infection, Breast infection, Urinary tract infection and Malaria being common causes. A vigilant multidisciplinary approach is required to optimally manage all these complications.

Assessment of Antiphospholipid Antibodies, CD4 Count and Some Haematological Parameters in HIV Patients attending a Tertiary Health Institution in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are the serological markers used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). HIV infection has been associated with an elevated aPls level, but its link to the APS with clinical thrombosis is still been investigated. This study is designed to determine and correlate serum level of antiphospholipid antibodies with CD4 count and some haematological parameters of HIV seropositive subjects in comparison to those of healthy controls and also to compare these parameters between antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve and treated patients. Methodology: A cohort of 110 patients which consist of 90 HIV positive Patients (22 males and 68 females) and 20 HIV negative patients (10 males and 10 females) which serve as control attending Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria were recruited for the cross-sectional study. HIV antibodies were detected using 3 rapid diagnostic kits (Determine, Unigold and Stat Pak). CD4+ cells were counted using Partec® Cyflow Counter (Germany). The Full Blood Count was analyzed using the Sysmex® Automated Haematology Analyzer (Kobe-Japan). Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were assayed using the Human Anti-Phospholipid Screen IgG/IgM ELISA kit (Alpha Diagnostic International, Texas, USA). Results: The present study showed that the mean serum antiphospholipid antibody level was significantly (P<0.001) higher in HIV positive Patients (11.83±7.36u/ml) compared to the control group (7.30±3.95u/ml). While on one hand, there was a strong positive correlation between serum aPLs level and PLT (r= 0.044), MCHC (r= 0.084) and LYM (r= 0.105) in HIV infection; on the other hand, there was a strong negative correlation with CD4 count (r= -0.094), PCV (r= -0.099), Hb (r= -0.072), RBC (r= -0.003), WBC (r= -0.063), MNO (r= -0.213), GRA (r= -0.003), MCV (r= -0.023) and MCH (r= -0.005). Also, there was no significant differences (P>0.05) between the aPLs level of HIV group on ART (11.44±7.74 u/ml) and those not on ART (12.00±7.24 u/ml). Some haematological parameters like PLT, PCV, Hb, RBC and red cell indices of the HIV group on ART did not differ significantly from those not on ART. However, the CD4 count (638.89±119.56 cell/?L), WBC (5.38±1.49X103/?L), LYM (51.43±7.99%) and GRA (46.30±10.18%) of the HIV group on ART were significant higher than those not on ART (465.30±145.92 cell/?L, 4.55±1.57X103/?L, 42.23±10.96% and 39.10±7.81%, respectively). Conclusion: Significant elevated aPLs level is present in HIV infection; however, the information obtained is not sufficient to indicate the occurrence of anti-phospholipid syndrome in HIV infection. There was no strong relationship between aPLs level and indicators of immunohaematological abnormalities in HIV infection. This finding is plausible and would therefore require further investigation.

The Usefulness of Hematological Parameters for Assessing Disease Progression in Patients with HIV Infection

BACKGROUND: In patients with HIV, CD4+ T cell count and viral load are the main laboratory tests performed to assess clinical management. However, they require extensive resources. In this study, we aimed to determine whether hematological parameters measured using a hematology analyzer are useful as surrogate markers of CD4+ T cell count and viral load in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 14 HIV-naïve, 105 HIV-treated, and 103 uninfected individuals. Hematological parameters were measured using the ADVIA 2120i hematology analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, USA). RESULTS: In HIV-naïve and -treated patients, the percentage of large unstained cells (%LUCs) was 2.5±1.6% and 1.9±0.7%, respectively, compared to 1.6±0.5% in HIV-uninfected controls. The %LUCs was higher in HIV patients with low CD4⁺ T cell count below 200/μL (2.4±1.0%) or high viral load ≥200 copies/mL (2.4±0.8%) than in other infected groups. Significant differences in lymphocyte count were observed between the HIV-naïve (1.5±0.6×10⁹/L) and uninfected (2.0±0.6×10⁹/L) groups as well as between HIV patients with CD4⁺ T cells ≥500/μL (2.5±0.6×10⁹/L) and other infected groups. Neutrophil count varied between high viral load (3.0±1.4×10⁹/L) and low viral load (3.7±1.3×10⁹/L) groups. The CD4⁺ T cell count correlated with lymphocyte count (r=0.642, P<0.0001) and %LUCs (r=-0.287, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: %LUCs, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil count are probable surrogate markers of CD4⁺ T cells and viral load.

Multiple facets of HIV-associated renal disease

HIV infection has a broad spectrum of renal manifestations. This study examined the clinical and histological manifestations of HIV-associated renal disease, and predictors of renal outcomes. Sixty-one (64% male, mean age 45 years) HIV patients were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical presentation and renal histopathology were assessed, as well as CD4 T-cell count and viral load. The predictive value of histological lesion, baseline CD4 cell count and viral load for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death were determined using the Cox regression model. The outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and ESRD or death were evaluated by baseline CD4 cell count. The percent distribution at initial clinical presentation was non-nephrotic proteinuria (54%), acute kidney injury (28%), nephrotic syndrome (23%), and chronic kidney disease (22%). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (28%), mainly the collapsing form (HIVAN), acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) (26%), and immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN) (25%) were the predominant renal histology. Baseline CD4 cell count ≥200 cells/mm3 was a protective factor against CKD (hazard ratio=0.997; 95%CI=0.994-0.999; P=0.012). At last follow-up, 64% of patients with baseline CD4 ≥200 cells/mm3 had eGFR >60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 compared to the other 35% of patients who presented with CD4 <200 cells/mm3 (log rank=9.043, P=0.003). In conclusion, the main histological lesion of HIV-associated renal disease was HIVAN, followed by AIN and ICGN. These findings reinforce the need to biopsy HIV patients with kidney impairment and/or proteinuria. Baseline CD4 cell count ≥200 cells/mm3 was associated with better renal function after 2 years of follow-up.

Evaluation of late presentation for HIV treatment in a reference center in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, from 2008 to 2010

Introduction: Since 1996 Brazil has provided universal access to free antiretroviral therapy, and as a consequence, HIV/AIDS patients' survival rate has improved dramatically. However, according to scientific reports, a significant number of patients are still late presenting for HIV treatment, which leads to consequences both for the individual and society. Clinical and immunological characteristics of HIV patients newly diagnosed were accessed and factors associated with late presentation for treatment were evaluated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in an HIV/AIDS reference center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, in Southeastern Brazil from 2008 to 2010. Operationally, patients with late presentation (LP) for treatment were those whose first CD4 cell count was less than 350 cells/mm3 or presented an AIDS defining opportunistic infection. Patients with late presentation with advanced disease (LPAD) were those whose first CD4 cell count was less than 200 cells/mm3 or presented an AIDS defining opportunistic infection. LP and LPAD associated risk factors were evaluated using logistic regression methods. Results: Five hundred and twenty patients were included in the analysis. The median CD4 cell count was 336 cells/mm3 (IQR: 130-531). Two hundred and seventy-nine patients (53.7%) were classified as LP and 193 (37.1%) as LPAD. On average, 75% of the patients presented with a viral load (VL) >10,000 copies/ml. In multivariate logistic regression analysis the factors associated with LP and LPAD were age, being symptomatic at first visit and VL. Race was a factor associated with LP but not with LPAD. Conclusion: The proportion of patients who were late attending a clinic for HIV treatment is still high, and effective strategies to improve early HIV detection with a special focus on the vulnerable population are urgently needed. .

Prevalence of Disseminated Cryptococcosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients in Benin City, Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of disseminated cryptococcosis among symptomatic HIVinfected patients, attending the Antiretroviral Treatment Clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria, between September 2010 and August 2011. Methodology: Five hundred consecutive symptomatic HIV-infected patients, on ART were enrolled into this cross-sectional study (266 males, 234 females, age range 18-81 years, mean age, 40.08 years). A blood sample collected from each participant was screened for serum cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) using the cryptococcal Latex agglutination test. The viral load and CD4+ T -cell count were also determined in parallel. A structured questionnaire was used to gather Information on socio demographic characteristics, medical and treatment history of participants. Data collected and the results of laboratory tests were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 22.0. Results: The prevalence of serum cryptococcal antigen was 9.8%. Majority (66.8%) of the participants had a CD4+ T-cell count of less than 100 cells/μl. The association between serum CRAG and CD4+ T-cell was found to be significant (P < .001). Viral load done for only 90 of the participants was high in 51.1%. The association between serum CRAG and viral load was found to be significant (P < .001). Conclusion: The prevalence of serum CRAG was high among symptomatic HIV- infected patients on ART, in Benin city, Nigeria, despite ART implementation. There is need therefore for a routine cryptococcal antigen test for all symptomatic HIV-infected patients on ART, while further microbiological investigations for those with positive result are recommended for appropriate medical intervention.

What is New in HIV Infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and treatment updates include screening recommendations, fourthgeneration testing, preexposure prophylaxis, and a paradigm shift; treatment is prevention. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine HIV screening in persons 15 to 65 years of age, regardless of risk. Fourth-generation testing is replacing the Western blot and can identify those with acute HIV infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test; however, there are concerns about reduced sensitivity, possible misinterpretation of results, potential for less effective counseling, and possible cost barriers. Preexposure prophylaxis (effective in select high-risk adult populations) is the combination of safer sex practices and continuous primary care prevention services, plus combination antiretroviral therapy. Concerns for preexposure prophylaxis include the necessity of strict medication adherence, limited use among high-risk populations, and community misconceptions of appropriate use. Evidence supports combination antiretroviral therapy as prevention for acute HIV infection, thus lowering community viral loads. Evidence has increased supporting combination antiretroviral therapy for treatment at any CD4 cell count. Resistance testing should guide therapy in all patients on entry into care. Within two weeks of diagnosis of most opportunistic infections, combination antiretroviral therapy should be started; patients with tuberculosis and cryptococcal meningitis require special considerations.

Variation of CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Counts and Transaminases in HIV and HIV/HBV Co-infected Patients on Therapy at Nylon Hospital Douala, Cameroon.

Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B and associated risk factors such as CD4+ counts variation and liver enzymes among HIV co– infected patients and those with HIV mono-infections only. Design and Methods: Three hundred and fourteen (314) HIV patients took part in this cross sectional case control study. Socio-demographic information and history of exposure to risk factors such as scarification, blood transfusion, and unprotected sexual intercourse and alcohol consumption, were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire. Serological tests were done to determine the presence of Hepatitis B (HB) surface Antigen, liver enzymes’ activities were estimated and CD4+ cell counts evaluated using standard laboratory methods. Results: Out of the 314 HIV patients, 20 (6.4%) tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) while 294 (93.6%) were negative. Most HIV patients co–infected with HBV were in the age group 31 to 45 years. There was no significant variation when co-infection and mono-infection groups were compared based on age and sex (p=0.7405 and p=0.3361). More males, 7 (2.23%) against 2 (0.64%) females (P=0.02) co–infected with HBsAg had a CD4+ cell counts in the range 201-350cells/µL. No significant difference of liver transaminases (SGPT and SGOT) levels between mono and co-infection groups (P>0.05) was observed. No association of HBsAg with observed risk factors among HIV patients was noted. Conclusion: The study concluded that the prevalence of hepatitis B among HIV patients was 6.4% with majority of the patients having CD4+ cell counts within 201-350. The liver function parameters (transaminases) were not affected with HIV/HBV co-infection.

HIV Prevalence and the Correlation of Different Opportunistic Infection with CD4 Cell Count.

In India, an opportunistic infection with HIV and associated complications accounts for considerable proportion of mortality. There exists definite CD4 cell count correlation with opportunistic infection in HIV patients. Objectives: To document the prevalence of HIV with correlation of different opportunistic infection with CD4 cell count. Material and Method: A total of 174 HIV positive patients either hospitalised or ART POD were studied for finding the spectrum of opportunistic infection and for HIV prevalence. Various samples were collected as per symptoms and clinical presentation. Result: Among opportunistic infection, most common were bacterial infection with 72.5%, followed by fungal infection 42.1% and parasitic infection with 25.8%. TB in 21 patients and candidacies in 5 patients were found in CD4 cell count <500 cell/μl followed by chronic diarrhoea with CD4 cell count <200 cell / μl. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV infection in persons attending ICTC is 11.3%. TB is the most common opportunistic infection followed by candidacies and diarrhoea.

CD4+ cell count analysis on 1 056 cases of HIV/AIDS treated with TCM for half a year / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To Analyze CD4+ cell count which embodies curative effect in HIV and patients with AIDS, who have treated with TCM for half a year. Methods According to CD4+cell count, the patients were divided into 4 phases. Their CD4+cell count were analyzed before and after the treatment. Results 1.Rank sun test showed that CD4+cell count were significantly improved in people who used TCM treatment. On the whole, CD4+cell count was(317.76±175.61) in 1 cu mm before treatment, which was(350.60±175.92) in 1 cu mm after treatment, P<0.01. 2. Ridit showed that patients whose CD4+cell count more than 500 were in phase I. Their R=0.614, and the 95%confidence interval was 0.5702 to 0.6579. Patients whose CD4+cell count more than 350 and less than 500 were in phase II. Their R=0.575, and the 95%confidence interval was 0.5439 to 0.6062. Patients whose CD4+cell count more than 200 and less than 350 were inphase III. Their R=0.460 and the 95%confidence interval was 0.4347 to 0.4849. Patients whose CD4+cell count less than 200 were in phase IV. Their R=0.428, and the 95%confidence interval was 0.3971 to 0.4589. There was no overlap between phase III, phase IV and phase I, phase II in 95% confidence interval. Conclusion TCM has the advantages in strengthening vital qi, but that is worse than western medicine in effort of expelling pathogen.

CD4 and CD8 cells in gastric mucosa from AIDS patients with gastritis infected by Helicobacter pylori / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship among Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori),CD4 positive cells and CD8 positive cells in gastric mucosa of the AIDS patients with gastritis.Methods Fiftyeight AIDS patients with upper abdominal pain were diagnosed with chronic gastritis through gastroscopy.The gastric biopsies from them were used for H.pylori detection with rapid urease test and Giemsa staining,pathology examination with HE staining,and immunohistochemistry analysis for CD4,CD8 positive cells in Gastric mucosa.And the application of flow cytometry was for the detection of peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes from the patients.Results H.pylori was positive in 26 cases,and negative was in 32 cases.CD8 cell expression in gastric mucosa of the AIDS patients with H.pylori positive was significantly higher than H.pylori negative patients(P＜0.05).There is no difference CD4 cell expression in gastric mucosa between the AIDS patients with H.pylori positive and H.pylori negative patients.Moreover,CD8 positive lymphocytes in gastric mucosa of those patients with H.pyloriinfection were significantly stronger than the CD4 positive lymphocytes.However,the peripheral blood CD4 lymphocytes from the patients with H.pylori infection were more than those from H.pylorinegative patients significantly(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression level of CD8 cells in gastric mucosal tissues of AIDS patients with H.pylori infection were higher than those without H.pylori infection.The CD4 lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of the patients with H.pylori infection were more than those without H.pylori negative patients.

Genital mycoplasma & Chlamydia trachomatis infections in treatment naïve HIV-1 infected adults.

Background & objectives: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) enhance the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Thus, screening for STIs is a routine component of primary HIV care. There are limited data for selective screening guidelines for genital mycoplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis in HIV-infected adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of genital infections with Ureaplasma spp., Mycoplasma hominis, M. genitalium and C. trachomatis in treatment naïve asymptomatic HIV-1 - infected adults and study their association with CD4+ T-cell count. Methods: First-void urine samples were collected from 100 treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected adults and 50 healthy volunteers. C. trachomatis and M. genitalium were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis were detected by both culture and PCR. Circulating CD4+ cell counts of HIV-1-infected patients were determined from peripheral blood by flow-cytometry. Results: C. trachomatis was detected in 7 per cent of HIV-1-infected adults compared to none in control population. Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis showed infection rates of 6 and 1 per cent in the HIV group and 2 and 0 per cent in the control group, respectively. None of the individuals from the patient and control groups was tested positive for M. genitalium. A significant association was found between CD4 cell count and detection of C. trachomatis in HIV-infected adults (P = 0.01). Interpretation & conclusions: Screening of HIV-infected individuals for C. trachomatis infection could be recommended as a routine component of HIV care. The role of mycoplasmas as co-pathogens of the genitourinary tract in HIV-1 infected patients seems to be unlikely. Further longitudinal studies need to be done to confirm these findings.

Absolute lymphocyte count: A cost-effective method of monitoring HIV-infected individuals.

Aim: Depletion of CD4 cell count is a hallmark of disease progression in AIDS. CD4 cell count is essential for physicians to decide about the timing of initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and for prophylaxis of opportunistic infections. WHO has recommended that, absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) of ≤1200/μL can substitute CD4 cell count of ≤200/μL in resource-constrained countries throughout the world. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken to know whether there is a correlation between CD4 cell count and ALC in HIV-infected individuals. A single sample of blood was withdrawn for ALC and CD4 cell count. The samples received from December 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 were analyzed. Results: A total of 196 samples were collected from 185 patients. After exclusion, a total of 182 samples were analyzed. Results revealed that male:female ratio was 126:56 and their age ranged from 13 to 67 years. The median ALC was 1747 cells/μL, whereas the CD4 cell count ranged from 5 to 2848. The correlation coefficient between ALC and CD4 cell count was significant (0.714). There were 49 patients with an ALC of ≤1200/μL of whom 77.6% patients had CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL (true positive) and 22.4% had CD4 cell count > 200/μL (false positive). There were 133 patients with an ALC of >1200/μL of whom 84.2% had CD4 cell count > 200/μL (true negative) and 15.8% had CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL (false negative). Taking ALC of ≤1200/μL as a predictor of CD4 cell count ≤ 200/μL ,the sensitivity of the test was 64.4% and specificity was 91.1%. The positive predictive value was 77.6%, negative predictive value was 84.2%, and accuracy was 82.4%. Conclusion: We found that an ALC of ≤ 1520/μL has higher sensitivity (78%) for a CD4 cell count of ≤ 200/μL. The ALC was found to be significantly cost-effective in our setup but chances of missing out patients requiring ART was 1 in 5 using the WHO guidelines.

IL-21 level in Chinese HIV infected individuals and its dynamics undergoing HAART / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate the dynamics of interleukin-21 (IL-21) cytokine in the Chinese HIV patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAAPT).Methods A total of 25 adults with chronic HIV infections,responding to combined highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) guideline criteria were enrolled for a 1-year follow-up.After signing an informed consent,20 mL blood was collected from each patient at the base line,6 month and 12 month,respectively.CD4 and CD8 cell count was quantified by flux cytometry,serum HIV RNA quantified by real time PCR and IL-21 concentrations by ELISA.Results IL-21 levels increased gradually during the follow-up but did not reach the healthy levels.IL-21 correlated positively with the CD4 cells but not with CD8 T cells.HIV RNA correlated negatively with CD4 cell count but did not show any relationship with the CD8 cells.Conclusion IL-21 has potential role in the immunopathogenesis of HIV,and might be an important factor in immune construction during HAART.