Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) disease progression and viral activity: a seroepidemiological and molecular study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency and epidemiological characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, HIV disease progression, immune status and viral activity.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Microbiology, University of the Punjab and Institute of Public Health, Lahore, from September 2005 to August 2008.

METHODOLOGY

The study enrolled samples from general population, high risk groups and spouses of HIV+ deport workers with criteria; positive double enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and positive western blot. Immune status and viral activity was determined by cluster determinants (CD4+ and CD8+) cell count, ratio of CD4+/CD8+ on flow cytometer, and HIV RNA viral load on polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

A total of 116 HIV+ untreated subjects enrolled after screening of 2260 blood samples. The seroprevalence rate in general population, high risk individuals and spouses of HIV+ deport workers was found 0%, 0.4% and 26% respectively. The CD4+ cell count was found 533/mm3 (range 12-1800/mm3) and plasma viral load 27,122 copies/ml (range 00-40,621). The CD4+/CD8+ ratios < 0.5, < 1, < 1.5 and < 2 appeared as 17.2%, 30.2%, 51.7% and 0.9% respectively. Significant correlation was observed between plasma viral load, CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p = 0.001). CD4+ T-cell counts < 200 cells/mm3 was found in 23 HIV+ patients.

CONCLUSION

There was a low frequency of HIV in the general population and high risks groups as compared to very high frequency in spouses of HIV+ deport workers with significant correlation of viral activity and immune status.