Estimating the time period between infection and diagnosis based on CD4+ counts at first diagnosis among HIV-1 antiretroviral naïve patients in Nigeria
Introduction: CD4+ T-cell levels are an important criterion for categorizing HIV-related clinical conditions. Late diagnosis of infection contributes to poor medical outcomes and the continuation of viral transmission. This population-based cohort study in north central Nigeria reports the initial...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
2010-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection in Developing Countries |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/1015 |
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| Summary: | Introduction: CD4+ T-cell levels are an important criterion for categorizing HIV-related clinical conditions. Late diagnosis of infection contributes to poor medical outcomes and the continuation of viral transmission. This population-based cohort study in north central Nigeria reports the initial CD4+ lymphocyte counts at the time of first HIV diagnosis and determines the approximate time interval when HIV infection was acquired..
Methodology: Confirmed HIV-1 infected individuals (n = 588) for whom the dates of first HIV diagnosis were known were enrolled in this study. CD4+ lymphocyte counts were measured using a Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) platform that automatically quantifies CD4+ lymphocytes as absolute numbers of lymphocytes per μL of blood. The estimated time interval between HIV infection and time of first HIV diagnosis was determined as a function of the CD4+ lymphocytes' decay rate per calendar year.
Results: The results showed that 22.1% and 49.7% of HIV-infected individuals present late with advanced (CD4+: 200-349 cells/mL) and severe (CD4+: < 200 cells/mL) immunosuppression respectively, while only 12.1% present with CD4+ 500 cells/mL and 16.2%with CD4+ between 350-499 cells/mL. Mean CD4+ counts for females were higher when compared to those of males (p > 0.05), The time interval between HIV infection and first diagnosis was approximately 6.1 years for males and 7.3 years for females.
Conclusion: The majority of HIV-infected individuals in this study accessed health care at late stages of infection, suggesting many HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria are unaware of their HIV status. More efficient programs for early diagnosis of HIV to prevent transmission are urgently required.
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| ISSN: | 1972-2680 |