Renal ultrasonographic findings relative to CD4+ cell count in HIV positive adults in South Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the renal sonographic changes in HIV positive patients in Port-Harcourt, south south Nigeria; to determine the relationship, if any, to CD4+ cell count in the study population.
Design: A prospective descriptive study.
Setting: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Results: There were 260 patients (80 males and 180 females), aged 22 to 75 years with a mean age of 36.0 ± 8.7years. Females had significantly higher CD4+ cell count than males (427±304 cells/mm³ vs. 344.7±266.8 cells/mm³ , p=0.036). Renal sonographic abnormalities were commoner in patients with very low CD4+ cell counts (<200 cells/mm3 ). Loss of corticomedullary echo differentiation was commoner with reducing CD4+ cell count.
Conclusion: Renal sonographic features in HIV patients in the study area are characterized by increased renal parenchymal echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary differentiation and increased right renal cortical thickness with decreasing CD4+ cell count. Thus, the use of renal ultrasound in
evaluation of HIV positive patients is advocated as early detection and management of renal abnormalities will reduce renal morbidity associated
with HIV/AIDS.