title: Improvement in CD 4 counts in HIV positive patients treated with HAART and antitubercular drugs: an observational study from North India.
abstract: A decrease in CD4 counts in HIV positive patients with concomitant tuberculosis leads to an increase in the morbidity and mortality. Little data exists about the use of antiretroviral drugs along with antitubercular drugs on the improvement in CD4 counts from this part of country. The records of 119 HIV and TB positive patients were obtained from immunodeficiency clinic of tertiary care centre of North India who were on drug treatment for both the diseases and were analysed for demographic profile and effects on CD4 counts. There was a statistically significant improvement in the CD4 counts of the patients as compared to their baseline values mean (SD) as 120.03 (124.1) at visit one to 270.2 (141.3) at visit two (p < 0.01) and 320.9 (184.3) at visit three (p < 0.05). Six patients died during the period of evaluation. Concomitant use of antitubercular drugs with antiretroviral drugs has resulted in a significant improvement in the CD4 counts which is a marker of delay in disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. amansharma74@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Aman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wanchu
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Surjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Subhash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000995:Antitubercular Agents