PREVELENCE OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS IN RELATION TO CD4 COUNT

Abstract

The study was conducted at GGH Guntur from January 1st to March 15th, 2011. Every patient at ICTC (formerly known as VCTC) received counselling and had their HIV status assessed. Using FACS CALIBRE, around 50 patients who were HIV Positive and exhibiting symptoms of one or more opportunistic infections were found.All pertinent information was collected and documented throughout the conversation, including their place of residence (rural or urban), economic situation, educational attainment, and health status. Less CD4 cells in the 50 specimens from HIV individuals in my study group indicate a higher risk of HIV infection. HIV is a retrovirus that is known to target CD4+ T cells.In individuals with chronic HIV infection not on treatment with antiretroviral agents, as the CD4+ count drops they are vulnerable to a multitude of infections which rarely occur in an immune-competent host, hence the term opportunistic infections (OIs). The presence of an AIDS-defining illness or CD4+ less than 200 cells/mm³ is necessary for defining AIDS and the literature describes potentially fatal opportunistic infections in these patients which are often challenging to treat. These individuals are prone to a wide variety of bacterial, viral, fungal and Protozoan infections Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex viruses in the development of Opportunistic infections.