European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by retrovirus
known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which breaks down the body’s
immune system. Two known types of this virus include the HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV
infects CD4+T lymphocytes mainly replicates within them and lyses the cells as the
replicated virions are released extracellular to infect other CD4+ T cells2. The CD4+T
cells count is a useful tool for the initiation and the follow up of the anti-retroviral
therapy response.
Materials And Methods: Observational study conducted over a period of one year, a
total of 181 HIV positive patients were studied. Patients were tested for CD+T
lymphocyte by BD BIOSCIENCE FACS CALIBUR machine.
Results: Out of 181 HIV positive patients, majority of the patients were between 26 and
35 years of age-group 29.3% , 125(69.1%) male and 55 (30.4%) females.
50.8% had primary level of education In present study 22% participants were nonagriculture
laborer’s.Major route of transmission of HIV in study participants was
through heterosexual contact 97.8%.
Conclusion: The immunological status of HIV positive individuals at the time of
diagnosis plays a vital role in the success of treatment. Our finding suggests most of the
newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals were late presenter with CD4+ T lymphocyte
count less than 350 cells/mm3. Our results show that lower educational levels, migrant
labourers and unsafe sexual practices (without barrier methods, multiple sex partners,
commercial sex workers) are the major risk factors for the acquisition of HIV.