Absolute Lymphocyte Count Is Not a Suitable Alternative to CD4 Count for Determining Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Fiji
Joint Authors
Graham, Stephen M.
Ram, Sharan
Bissell, Karen
Balak, Dashika A.
Roseveare, Christine
Devi, Rachel R.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-10-23
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Introduction.
An absolute lymphocyte count is commonly used as an alternative to a CD4 count to determine initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected individuals in Fiji when a CD4 count is unavailable.
Methods.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of laboratory results of HIV-infected individuals registered at all HIV clinics in Fiji.
Results.
Paired absolute lymphocyte and CD4 counts were available for 101 HIV-infected individuals, and 96% had a CD4 count of ≤500 cells/mm3.
Correlation between the counts in individuals was poor (Spearman rank correlation r = 0.5 ).
No absolute lymphocyte count could be determined in this population as a suitable surrogate for a CD4 count of either 350 cells/mm3 or 500 cells/mm3.
The currently used absolute lymphocyte count of ≤2300 cells/μL had a positive predictive value of 87% but a negative predictive value of only 17% for a CD4 of ≤350 cells/mm3 and if used as a surrogate for a CD4 of ≤500 cells/mm3 it would result in all HIV-infected individuals receiving ART including those not yet eligible.
Weight, CD4 count, and absolute lymphocyte count increased significantly at 3 months following ART initiation.
Conclusions.
Our findings do not support the use of absolute lymphocyte count to determine antiretroviral therapy initiation in Fiji.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Balak, Dashika A.& Bissell, Karen& Roseveare, Christine& Ram, Sharan& Devi, Rachel R.& Graham, Stephen M.. 2014. Absolute Lymphocyte Count Is Not a Suitable Alternative to CD4 Count for Determining Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Fiji. Journal of Tropical Medicine،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1043243
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Balak, Dashika A.…[et al.]. Absolute Lymphocyte Count Is Not a Suitable Alternative to CD4 Count for Determining Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Fiji. Journal of Tropical Medicine No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1043243
American Medical Association (AMA)
Balak, Dashika A.& Bissell, Karen& Roseveare, Christine& Ram, Sharan& Devi, Rachel R.& Graham, Stephen M.. Absolute Lymphocyte Count Is Not a Suitable Alternative to CD4 Count for Determining Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Fiji. Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1043243
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1043243