Pattern of CD4 Count and Hematological Indices in HIV Serodiscordant Partners in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

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.