CD4+T Cells and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Subjects Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding Author

Dr A.O Oluboyo

Department of Medical Laboratory Science

College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State

Nigeria

Phone Number: +2348062549343

Email: oluboyoao@abuad.edu.ng

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a global pandemic disease with incidence in every country of the world. People living with HIV are prone to developing inflammatory diseases. Thus, the study aimed to assess the level of CD4+ T cells and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in HIV subjects relative to control. A total of 92 subjects (46 HIV positive subjects and 46 apparently healthy subjects without HIV) between the ages of 30-75 years were investigated. The subjects were grouped based on age, antiretroviral therapy and gender. CD4+ T cells were estimated using flow cytometer and TNF-α was estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The results obtained showed that there was significant decrease in the levels of CD4+ T cells (p<0.001) and TNF-α (p<0.05) of HIV subjects compared with apparently healthy subjects (control). The study concluded that the decreased level of CD4+ T cells in HIV seropositive subjects could create an opportunity for opportunistic infections which could cause inflammation and in turn raise the level of TNF-α in the body. Therefore, there is need to monitor these parameters during HIV infection.

Keywords:TNF-α, CD4, HIV, ART

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