Evaluation of initial CD4+ T cell counts in individuals with newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection, by sex and race, in urban settings.
The CD4+ T cell count is an important determinant of disease stage and prognosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. This study evaluated the CD4+ T cell counts in individuals at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection at 4 community clinics in large urban settings with relatively high frequencies of HIV infection. Of 2223 individuals, 57% and 36% had CD4+ T cell counts < 350 and < 200 cells/mm(3), respectively, at the time of diagnosis. There were no clear differences by sex or race. Enhanced educational efforts regarding the importance of HIV testing for at-risk individuals across sex and race strata in community settings may be important for early identification of individuals with HIV infection. This in turn could impact efforts to reduce transmission, and it could impact the prognosis for patients who receive antiretroviral therapy.
Dybul
Mark
M
Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10 Rm. 11B-13, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. MDybul@niaid.nih.gov
Bolan
Robert
R
Condoluci
David
D
Cox-Iyamu
Roxane
R
Redfield
Robert
R
Hallahan
Claire W
CW
Folino
Marlene
M
Sathasivam
Kunthavi
K
Weisberg
Monica
M
Andrews
Maryann
M
Hidalgo
Bertha
B
Vasquez
Joshua
J
Fauci
Anthony S
AS
D001741:Black or African American; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006266:Health Education; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014504:Urban Health; D044465:White People