HUMAN T HELPER CELLS IN HIV-1INFECTED INDIVIDUALS ON GENERIC HAART IN UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

One hundred patients who were on highly active antiretroviral treatment
(HAART) were examined. CD4+ cell counts, using manual dynabeads
method, were performed.

The patient’s age group range was between 20-60 years and were
randomly selected, 53 were females while 47 were males. Initial
testing was at entry i.e. before commencement of HAART and the
rest were at 4- monthly intervals for one year.

There was a statistically significant increase in CD4+ cell count (P =
0.001) at 16 weeks and 32 weeks over the baseline CD4+cell count.
However, 6 patients at 32 weeks did not show any statistically
significant increase ( P = 0.7) in the CD4+cell count at 16 weeks. It
is possible these patients may have attained their normal CD4+cell
counts. There was also a corresponding increase in weight of
patients over the same period of study.

These results of 94% increase in CD4+ cell count is an indication of
the efficacy of HAART in these patients.

HUMAN T HELPER CELLS IN HIV-1INFECTED INDIVIDUALS ON GENERIC HAART IN UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL