title: Clinical and immunological status of a newly diagnosed HIV positive population, in Marrakech, Morocco.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical and the immune status of newly HIV diagnosed patients, in Marrakech city and its neighboring area, in Morocco.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study on 235 patients who have been previously confirmed for HIV infection, and underwent a CD4 T cells using flow cytometry (FacsCount, Becton Dickinson®).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 34,3 ± 8,4 years (range: 14-55), with a male predominance (sex-ratio M/F=1.4). On basis of clinical data of the patients, 62% (n=146) of them were categorized as "category C", 18.4% (n=43) as "category B", and 19.6% (n=46) as "category A" according to CDC (Center for Disease Control) HIV classification. Among all of them, 60.4% (n=142) had less than 200 CD4T cells, 26% (n=61) had between 200 and 499 CD4T cells, and only 13.6% (n=32) showed a number of CD4T cells less or equal to 500/mm(3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study reflect a significant delay in the diagnosis of HIV infected patients. Therefore, this delay may compromise timely management of HIV infected individuals and enhances propagation of the epidemic in our country. These data confirm the need for intensifying prevention efforts among high-risk population. Moreover, continuing education in HIV/AIDS among healthcare providers should be reinforced.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Analysis, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cadi Ayad University, Marrakech, Morocco. b.admou@fmpm.ucam.ac.ma
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Admou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elharti
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oumzil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Addebbous
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amine
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zahlane
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soraa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zougaghi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haouach
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tassi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aajly
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chabaa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El Aouad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult