Alterations in some coagulation biomarkers of pulmonary tuberculosis subjects in the settings of human immunodeficiency virus infection: as seen in Maiduguri North-eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Synergistic association between Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) infection has resulted in variable haematological manifestations including coagulopathies; these accelerated the morbidity and mortality burden of HIV/PTB co-infection. Objectives: Based on this preposition, we prospectively evaluated some coagulation biomarkers in a case-controlled study of 102 HIV sero-positive subjects consistent with WHO clinical stages I and II, 56 HIV/PTB co-infected subjects; both groups were therapy naive. Also 104 HIV sero-negative healthy blood donors were recruited as control subjects. Method: All participants were tested for platelet count (PLT), Plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC), Protein C (PC), prothrombin time (PT) and Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). Results: In HIV/PTB co- morbidity PT, APTT were prolonged (P<0.001); PLT and PFC were also elevated (P< 0.001), while PC % activity was down-regulated (P<0.01) all in comparison to the HIV groupand the controls. Conclusion: We asserted that alterations occur in some coagulation indices of PTB/HIV coinfected individuals found in our environment. Clinical findings are however, needed to shed more light on thesefindings to aid patient's management.