Assessment of Leucocytes and CD4+ T-cells in HIV Seronegative Tuberculosis Patients

¹ Redeemer's University Health Services, Osun State, Nigeria

² Department of Microbiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

³ University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author

Onaiwu T. OHIENGBOMWAN

Department of Health Services,

Redeemer's University,

Osun State,

Nigeria.

Email: royalesteemplc@yahoo.com

Phone: +2348039143133

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a major global health problem associated with large mortality. The burden of tuberculosis is particularly high for the African region, mainly due to the high prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. While several studies have focused on the immunological responses of human host to HIV seropositive tuberculosis infection, this study aims to determine the immunological responses (CD4+ and leucocyte cell counts) of human host to HIV seronegative tuberculosis infection. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design for population that consisted of 100 study subjects who presented with HIV seronegative tuberculosis infection at diagnosis as well as 40 apparently healthy volunteers who were HIV and tuberculosis negative as control in Central Hospital, Benin City. Results: The result indicated a statistically significant CD4+ lymphocytopaenia, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis. Lymphocyte count was not statistically significant despite lymphocytopaenia observed in 28% of the study subjects. It was observed that 25 (96.2%) of leucocytosis, 19 (100%) of neutrophilia, 26 (92.9%) of lymphocytopaenia and 26 (92.9%) of monocytosis were patients having CD4+ lymphocytopaenia. The feminine gender had the highest prevalence rate of CD4+ lymphocytopaenia, leucocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytopaenia and monocytosis. Furthermore, disease severity, age and gender seemed to play important role in determining the cellular immunity of tuberculosis patients. Conclusion: CD4+ lymphocytopaenia, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis were statistically significant in the study. Interestingly, females appear to be more prone to having CD4+ lymphocytopaenia, leucocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytopaenia and monocytosis while these conditions could be occurring in ascending order of age groups.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, HIV Seronegative, Leucocytes, CD4+ T-Cells

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