The search for a predictor of CD4 cell count continues: total lymphocyte count is not a substitute for CD4 cell count in the management of HIV-infected individuals in a resource-limited setting.
Total lymphocyte count (TLC) has been recommended as a substitute for CD4 cell count for the management of HIV-infected individuals living in resource-limited settings. To confirm this, 151 TLCs and CD4 cell counts were obtained from 109 patients who had not yet started treatment and analyzed. CD4 cell counts of <200 cells/mm3 were found in 42 cases (37.8%) with TLCs of > or =1200 cells/mm3. Thus, 1 in 3 individuals would have been deprived of needed treatment. Therefore, in this setting, TLC is not a reliable predictor of CD4 cell count in HIV-infected individuals.
Akinola
N O
NO
Department of Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. nakinola@oauife.edu.ng
Olasode
O
O
Adediran
I A
IA
Onayemi
O
O
Murainah
A
A
Irinoye
O
O
Elujoba
A A
AA
Durosinmi
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors