title: The Potentials of Fas Receptors and Ligands in Monitoring HIV-1 Disease in Children in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
abstract: Difficulties in systematically monitoring HIV viral load in resource-limited settings prompt the search for alternate approaches. The authors aimed at assessing the correlation between the plasma levels of soluble forms of Fas receptors (Fas) and Fas ligands (FasL) with standard indicators of HIV disease progression in children.
  
  
  
  Twenty-two HIV-1-positive children were enrolled in Yaounde. CD4 counts, CD4% counts, plasma levels of Fas, FasL, and HIV-1 RNA levels were assayed.
  
  
  
  The correlation coefficients (P values) between FasL levels and each of HIV-1 viral load, CD4 counts, and CD4% were, respectively, .56 (.01), -.29 (.18), and .30 (.18). On the other hand, the respective correlation coefficients (P values) with Fas levels were .12 (.60), -.30 (.18), and -.29 (.19).
  
  
  
  The significant correlation between levels of HIV-1 viral load and FasL suggests that the latter needs to be further studied as a potential biomarker to monitor HIV-1 disease progression in children in resource-limited setting.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon gikomey@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ikomey
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: M-C Okomo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Assoumou
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atashili
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mesembe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mukwele
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lyonga
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eyoh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kafando
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde, Cameroon Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ndumbe
mesh_terms: D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D019014:fas Receptor
keywords: Cameroon; Fas; HIV; children; monitoring