Background: HIV-infection resulted in CD4+ T-cell depletion which is accompanied by an increase in CD8+ T-cells resulting in an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. Low CD4/CD8 ratio has been identified as a hallmark of inmmunosenescence and a surrogate of mortality in HIV infected patients especially in ART-naïve patients Aim: Classification of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes count in immunological, virological and erythropoietic growth factor among HIV infected patients Methodology: One hundred samples each was collected from HIV positive subjects on ART and HIV positive subjects ART naïve. Six milliliters of whole blood was collected from each consented subject, 3ml was dispensed into 5ml K2EDTA bottle for immediate analysis of absolute CD4 count, CD8 count, total white cell count and HIV screening. The remaining 3ml of blood was dispensed into plain bottle; serum was extracted for the analysis of erythropoietin and viral load Results: Mean values of CD8, CD4/CD8, EPO and TWBC in CD4 <200 were significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to CD4 >500 and CD4 200-499. Mean values of VL in CD4 <200 were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to CD4 >500 and CD4 200-499 among HIV subjects on ART and ART-naïve Conclusion: Immunological and erythropoetic growth factor assessed in this study were decline while viral load was increasing as HIV infection progresses with depletion in absolute CD4 count, this study shows the efficacy of ART on the treated subjects. However, based on this study, absolute CD8 T cells count, CD4/CD8 ratio and erythropoietin can be used as surrogate makers to ascertain pathogenesis in HIV-infected subjects.

Background: In reality, fear of being infected at work has led to stigmatization and discriminatory treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. The consequence of such negative attitude is poor management of people with HIV/AIDS who need most care, treatment, and support. Aim: To evaluate attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals toward HIV/AIDS patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. 250 healthcare professionals were selected randomly, Participants completed a well-structured, self-administered questionnaire delivered to them at their workplace. Data obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS software version 9. Results: A total of 250 healthcare professionals participated in the study, 148(59.2%) were males and 102 (40.8%) were females. 153(61.2%) of them had been working between 0- 10 years with prevalence age group 30-40 years. Majority of Healthcare professionals (HCPs) in this study demonstrated positive attitude and behaviour toward HIV/AIDS patients. However, minority of HCPs had negative attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients by agreed to the statements that HCPs should not share office with HIV patients, beds of HIV patients should be marked and HCPs should allow relation to marry HIV patients. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should have access to up-to-date information on all aspects of HIV/AIDS through effective training on the modes of HIV transmission, prevention, counselling, guidelines for safe practice and the rights of PLWHIV, this would reduce discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHIV and also improve patients' care and access to quality healthcare services.