Haemorheologic and fibrinolytic activity in Nigerian HIV infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, especially those on antiretrovirals are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The haemorheologic and fibrinolgtic activity of treatment naïve Nigerian HIV-infected patients were investigated.


METHODS
Blood was collected from 50 newly diagnosed treatment naïve HIV-infected patients and 50 apparently healthy HIV seronegative individuals that served as controls. Haematocrit values, plasma and serum viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and euglobin lysis time were determined.


RESULTS
The mean +/- standard deviation of haematocrit value of HIV infected patients (31.70 +/- 6.33%) was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than those of controls (39.50 +/- 2.43%). The plasma serum viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and euglobin lysis time of HIV-infected patients were significantly higher compared with those of controls (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment naive Nigerian HIV-infected patients have a defective blood flow and fibrinolytic system, which may predispose them to CVD.
Omoregie
Richard
R
Department Of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin Teaching Hospital P.M.B. 1111, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. richyomos@yahoo.com
Adeghe
Judith E
JE
Ogefere
Helen O
HO
Omokaro
Evelyn U
EU
Ekeh
Chinedu C
CC
D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006400:Hematocrit; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology
D012712:Serum Globulins; D005340:Fibrinogen