Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus antibodies and CD4 level among HIV/AIDS patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is member is a member of the family Herpesviridae. It establishes latent state following primary infection, reactivating when there are changes in immune status. It is a virus of paradoxes and can be a potential killer or a silent lifelong companion. CMV infection is a common opportunistic viral infection among HIV/AIDS patients.
Aim: This study therefore aimed at Studying “Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (IgG, IgM) antibodies and CD4 level among HIV Positive Patients Attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.
Methodology: A total of 90 HIV patients and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled. Blood was collected and the samples were screened serologically for IgG, IgM, IgG/IgM antibodies and CD4 levels were estimated. 
Results: The results showed that out of 90 HIV patients, 15(16.6%) were IgG reactive, 6(7.1%) IgM reactive and 5(5.88%) were IgG/IgM reactive. For the Controls out of 30, 3(10%) IgG positive, 3(10%) IgM and2 (6.6%) IgG/IgM positive with p=0.358, 0.689, 0.824 respectively. This shows that there no statistically significant difference between CMV infection in HIV patients and Healthy individuals. The CD4 level was estimated for test and control, Mean 514.92±202.36 and 997.84±145 respectively. P value is 0.000 which shows that there is statistically significant difference between CD4 level in the test and control. Similarly, the association between CD4 level and CMV antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM) was obtained using Chi square and the p values were 0.057, 0.968 and 0.464. This indicated that there is no statistically significant association between CD4 level and CMV infections.
Conclusion: Although, the study indicated that CMV infection among HIV positive cases is statistically not significant, but the case study reveals the need of further investigation to highlight the severity of the problem. It will help in better management of the HIV cases with early diagnosis of CMV antibodies in the patients.