Selected Inflammatory and Thrombotic Indicators Among Persons Living with HIV Infection In Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Although viremia has been greatly addressed in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by the advancement in antiretroviral therapy, not all HIV-associated morbidities have been resolved. Observations of increased cardiovascular risk in relation to antiretroviral therapy have been reported. Full blood count continues to be useful in disease management, and efforts are directed towards optimising its utility in medical practice. Derivatives of blood cell counts have in recent times proved to be informative with regards to the inflammatory-thrombotic cycle. The utility of these derived parameters in HIV within the study locality is worth exploring.

Methods: This single-site study was carried out at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. White blood cell and platelet counts were carried out by automation, while blood cell ratios were calculated. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS 22.0. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to infer a statistically significant difference.

Results: Significant reductions of white blood cell parameters were recorded in HIV, particularly among infected persons on antiretroviral therapy.  Platelet count and plateletcrit were significantly lower, while mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width were higher in newly diagnosed persons compared to HIV-infected subjects on therapy and control subjects. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher among subjects on therapy compared to the rest of the groups.

Conclusion: Increase in platelet count following antiretroviral therapy could be posing a risk of platelet-driven morbidities as typified in the observed elevated thrombotic marker.