Evaluation of CD4+ T Lymphocytes and Renal Function Status of Naïve Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Premenopausal Females

There is no known cure for HIV infection. However, effective preventive interventions are available that will enhance the sustainability and overall wellbeing of the patients as well as prevent vertical transmission from mother to child. This study was aimed at evaluating the renal function status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – infected pre-menopausal females relative to the matched control group. The subjects used in the study were 80 HIV- positive females aged between twenty to thirty five years at the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), HIV clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. Samples from 80 apparently healthy non-HIV positive age-matched female volunteers served as the control group. The blood samples were collected using standard methods. HIV re-screening and confirmation were carried out using WHO HIV test algorithm. Automated method using Flow cytometry was used for the enumeration of CD4+ T Lymphocytes while renal function parameters of the test subjects and the control group were carried out using standard methods. There was a significant increase P < 0.05 in the mean serum protein amongst the test subjects and their various groups as CD4+ T lymphocyte count decreased compared with the control. The Mean serum albumin (g/L) of the overall patients/test subjects and their various sub- groups showed marked decrease P < 0.05 as the HIV progressed. There was a marked increase of serum urea (mmol/L) concentration p < 0.05 among the overall patients and their sub-groups when compared with their control counterparts. Mean serum creatinine (mmol/L) of the patients were significantly higher p < 0.05 than that of the control group. This study revealed a progressive renal function impairment as there was serious alterations in renal function parameters as the CD4+ T lymphocytes count of the test subject decreased to 200 cells/µl and below.