Pattern Of Blood Pressure, Cd4+ T Cells Count And Some Cardiac Enzymes In Hiv Seropositive Subjects

Abstract

HIV/AIDS infection is a global pandemic, which is becoming a security problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria inclusive. The present study was designed to investigate the pattern of blood pressure, CD4 + T cells count and some cardiac enzymes in HIV seropositive subjects in Nnewi and its environment because HIV infection results into a lot of clinical manifestations such as cardiovascular disorders. A total number of one hundred and fifty seropositive subjects on and without antiretroviral therapy ARVT were investigated. The results showed that total creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB and total aspartate aminotransferases (AST) were significantly increased (P<0.05) in those on ARVT compared to those without ARVT while there was no significant increase in the mean Systolic BP, Diastolic BP and Total lactate dehydrogenase. However there was a significant increase in the mean levels of the CD4 + T cells count and total CK of the HIV seropositive subjects without ARVT when the subjects were classified based on CD4 + T cells count. Also the CD4 count increased significantly in the HIV seropositive subjects on ARVT when classified based on their CD4 + T cells. The study observed the need to monitor these parameters to prevent sudden cardiovascular complications of HIV infection.

Keywords: HIV seropositive, antiretroviral therapy (ARVT), cardiac enzymes, Blood pressure, CD4 + T cells.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 4 (2) 2006 pp. 37-41