The evolution of haematological and biochemical indices in HIV patients during a six-month treatment period.

OBJECTIVE To assess haematological and biochemical parameters in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients under going antiretroviral therapy. METHODS We enrolled HIV patients from, 18-65 years, who were under first line antiretroviral therapy and followed them for six months from February 2010 for changes in haematological and biochemical parameters. Profiles for ALAT, creatinine, amylase, cholesterol, CD4+ and total lymphocytes, haemoglobin, and monocytes were studied every three months. RESULTS There was an increase of both, CD4+ lymphocyte counts from 233.57 cells/mm(3) to 336.45 cells/mm(3) and total lymphocytes from 45 to 46.6 10(3) cells /µl, after six months. The haemoglobin level dropped from 8.8 g/L to 7.52 g/L. We observed an increase in ALAT from 40.27 to 47.42 U/L, amylase from 178.9 to 193.97 U/L, and cholesterol from 5.88 to 8.40 mmol/L. Creatinine levels decreased from 117.4 to 115.0 µmol/L. CONCLUSION The use of ARVs boosts CD4+ and total lymphocyte counts. Prolonged use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) is associated with variable degrees of liver and pancreatic damage, hypercholesteremia, and anaemia in some patients. Since many of these side effects are multi-factorial, management of HIV patients should take into consideration such side effects in making treatment decisions based on periodic evaluation of these parameters.