Inter-relationship of viral load and CD4+ cells in patients suffering from acquired immuno deficiency syndrome [AIDS]: update from Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Purpose of current study was to evaluate the effect of antiretroviral drugs [Three regimen] Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Efavirenz to HIV patients presented in D.G. Khan Zone in regard to CD4 level and viral loads before start of drugs and after one year treatment. Comparative study. This study was carried out at the Institute of molecular biology and biotechnology [IMBB], and Centre for research in molecular medicine [CRiMM], The University of Lahore-Pakistan during May 2013 to Feb. 2014. Seventy five [75] patients suffering from HIV and twelve [12] control individuals were selected for the study from Dera Ghazi Khan during 2013-2014. Rapid testing and ELISA screening were performed for identification of presence/absence of virus and antibodies respectively. Viral load and CD4+ absolute count were also evaluated by PCR and Multiset software respectively. All the analytical work was performed at the Institute of molecular biology and biotechnology [IMBB], and Centre for research in molecular medicine [CRiMM], The University of Lahore-Pakistan. Statistically highly significant difference [P=.000] was observed regarding viral load before and after the treatment in HIV patients receiving combination therapy, ART [antiretroviral therapy]. The viral load in control and HIV patients before and after the treatment was [0.00, 3.22x10[4]] and [0.00, 1.61x10[2]] respectively. The CD4+ cells levels in control and HIV patients before and after the treatment was [330.67, 186.29] and [171.92, 372.64] respectively. Inverse correlation was also recorded between viral loads [After] and CD4+ levels [After], [Viral Load Vs CD4+, r=-.328**]. It is concluded that from one year antiviral therapy in AIDS patients the viral load decrease from 3.22x10[4] to 1.61x10[2] and CD4+ count increased from 186.29 to 372.64 with no significant complications hence improve the AIDS patients' lives and minimize the spread of infection