Журнал клинической иммунологии и исследований

Immunophenotypic Characterization of ART- naive, HIV Infected Adults in Kombewa Sub-county, Kisumu: A Cross Sectional Study of Rural Population in Western Kenya

Jew Ochola, Jackson C. Korir, Walter Otieno, Julie Ake, Christina Polyak and David H. Mulama

Reliable information on clinical immunophenotypic biomarkers is critical in the management of Hepatitis B and C infections especially in ART naive HIV positive adults. CD4 cell counts and the level of liver function bio-molecules can be monitored to assess the body status and treatment response to interventions. This was a cross sectional laboratory investigation study aimed at investigating the immunological phenotypes in HIV positive adults from Kisumu West Sub-county, so that overall patient care, participation of individuals in clinical trials and evaluation of adverse events can be improved. Median ALT values in Hepatitis C positive HIV positive ART Naive participants were higher than in the Hepatitis C negative participants (p=0.0494). The study underscores the need for monitoring liver enzymes levels in ART naive HIV positive patients as well, screening for viral hepatitis before initiation of Anti-Retro Viral therapy as these diseases pathologically alters the body’s immune biomarkers.