This was a cross sectional study designed to evaluate the cluster of differentiation 4(CD4) count and hematological indices in HIV serodiscordant partners in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 20 Serodiscordant HIV couples (40 patients) and 20 non HIV couples (40 controls) aged between 18 and 49 years were included in the study. Each participant provided a 5ml venous blood sample that was collected into EDTA containers for the analysis of the CD4 count and hematological indices. The following blood parameters were measured using a three pack full blood count autoanalyzer: white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit/packed cell volume (HCT/PCV), hemoglobin (HB), platelet count (PLT), lymphocyte, neutrophil, and mixed cell (NUE/NAC) count. The CD4+-T cell was measured using flow cytometry. The results showed that the mean RBC count, platelet count, mixed cell count (Nue/Nac), HCT/PCV and HB levels, as well as the CD4-T cell count, were all significantly lower while the mean age was higher in the HIV serodiscordant test group compared to control group (p<0.05) respectively. The mean neutrophil, lymphocyte, and WBC counts in the HIV serodiscordant test group did not statistically differ from those in the control group (p>0.05). The HB, HCT/PCV, RBC, lymphocyte, and CD4 counts in the female HIV serodiscordant test group were statistically significantly lower than those in the female control group (p-value=0.008; 0.002; 0.000, 0.008, 0.000), respectively. The male HIV serodiscordant test group had statistically significantly lower mean neutrophil and CD4 counts than in the male control (p-value=0.000; 0.012) respectively. The female HIV seropositives had a statistically significantly lower mean RBC count, Hb, PCV, and CD4 count (p-value =0.000; 0.037, 0.005 and 0.000) than in female control respectively. Also, the female HIV exposed seronegatives had statistically significantly lower mean CD4 count (p-value =0.000) and Hb (p-value =0.037) levels than in female control while the male HIV seropositives had statistically significantly lower CD4 count compared to male control (p-value =0.000). This study has revealed significant changes in CD4-T cell count and hematological indices in HIV serodiscordant couples, which calls for an urgent interventional strategy to prevent the potential anemia, leucocytopenia, and weakened immunity that may result in both HIV seropositives and seronegative exposed couples.

This study evaluated the microalbumin, cystatin C, creatinine and uric acid levels in HIV patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH). A total of one hundred (100) male and female HIV positive and control participants who were aged between 18 and 60 years attending the voluntary counseling and testing unit (VCT) and antiretroviral therapy unit (ART) of NAUTH were randomly recruited for the study and grouped thus: Group A (HIV positive symptomatic participants on long term ART (HPSPLTART) (n= 25); Group B (HIV positive symptomatic participants on short term ART (HPSPSTART) (n= 25); Group C: Asymptomatic HIV positive participants NOT on ART (AHPPNART) (n=25) and Group D: control (n=25).6mls of blood sample and 10mls of freshly voided urine samples were collected from each of the participants for the evaluation of biochemical parameters using standard laboratory methods. Results showed significantly higher BMI and SBP in HPSPSTART than in control (p=0.04; 0.02). SBP was significantly higher in HPSPLTART than in AHPPNART and Control (p=0.00). DBP was significantly higher in HPSPLTART than in HPSPSTART and control respectively (p=0.00). There were significantly higher plasma creatinine and Cys-C levels in both male HIV positives and male HIV positive participants on ART than in both females respectively (p0.00; 0.02). Also, BMI, creatinine, uric acid and Cystatin C levels were significantly higher in male HIV negative participants than in female HIV negative participants (p=0.00; 0.04; 0.02; 0.01). This study has revealed greater risk for renal disease among the HIV participants studied.

This was a cross sectional study designed to determine the pattern of lipid profile levels in HIV serodiscordant couples in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 20 discordant HIV couples (40 patients) and 20 controls (40 non HIV couples) aged between 18 and 49 years were included in the study. 5ml of fasting venous blood sample was collected from each participant into plain containers for the evaluation of lipid profile. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were assayed using standard methods. The results showed that HIV discordant test group had significantly higher mean serum TG, VLDL-C, and LDL-C levels whereas HDL-C values were significantly lower than in the control (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in TC levels in groups when compared to the control (p>0.05). The male HIV discordant test group had higher TG and VLDL-C values (p=0.001; 0.002) and lower HDL-C (p=0.000) than in the male control group (p=0.001) while the female HIV discordant test group had significantly higher LDL-C and lower HDL-C levels (p=0.001; 0.000) than in female control group. Male HIV-exposed seronegative partners had significantly higher TG and VLDL-C with lower HDL-C levels (p<0.05) compared to male control while female exposed seronegatives had significantly lower HDL-C level (p=0.000) than in the female control. Furthermore, female HIV positives had significantly higher LDL-C and lower HDL-C levels than in the female control (p<0.05). This study revealed significant alterations in lipid profile levels in the HIV serodiscordant couples which warrant further studies.