STUDY OF HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS WITH CORRELATION TO CD4 CELL COUNT

Abstract

Background:  HIV infection is a multisystem disease, with haematological abnormalities among the most common clinicopathological manifestations involving all the lineages of blood cells. In the present study spectrum of hematological manifestations in patients with HIV/AIDS have been studied and correlated with the CD4 cell count. Method: The study was conducted on 100 HIV positive patients, which were divided in two groups according to their CD4 count, those having low CD4 (?200/ul) (77% patients) and those having high CD4 (>200/ul), (23% patients). Complete hematologic profile was recorded. Relationship between CD4 counts and various hematologic parameters was analyzed. Results: The most common hematologic abnormality was anemia, seen in 89% (n=89) of the patients. Normocytic normochromic anemia was seen in 49 patients, which was the most common type. A strong association between anemia and CD4 counts was observed. Leucopenia was seen in 40 cases (40%) which had significant correlation with CD4 count while thrombocytopenia was seen in 31 cases (31%) and had no significant relationship with CD4 counts. The frequency and severity of these hematological manifestations increased with decline in CD4 count. Conclusion: Haematologic manifestations of HIV infection are common and more frequent with progression of disease. Therefore all HIV patients should be investigated for hematological abnormalities and treated accordingly to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: HIV, Haematological, CD4 count, Correlation, Anemia, Leucopenia, Thrombocytopenia