Abstract

"Background Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is known to target CD4+ lymphocytes and other CD4 molecule-bearing cells like macrophages, monocytes and glial cells of the brain. Although, liver cells are the most readily infected, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) also infects blood mononuclear cells like monocytes, B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and polymorphonuclear leucocytes. We under took this study to evaluate the effect of HIV/HBV co-infection on CD4+ cell counts of blood donors. Patients and Methods A total of 510 prospective blood donors were screened for HIV and HBV, and classified into four groups. Group I (HIV positive), group II (HBV positive), group III (HIV+HBV co-infected) and group IV (Control). The mean CD4+ cells were analysed using Partec Cyflow machine and the differences were tested with nonparametric methods.  Results The mean CD4+ cell count for group I (HIV mono-infection) was 441.30±59.20 cells/ul, group II (HBV mono infection) was 574.90±47.50 cells/ul, group III (HIV+HBV co infections) was 418.60±75.30 cells/ul and  group IV (control donors) was 576.90±14.8 cells/ul.  There was no significant difference in the CD+ cell count levels among all groups (p=0.302). Conclusion We concluded that HIV/HBV co-infection does not significantly affect CD4+ cell count of blood donors. Voluntary blood donors are more likely to come with clinically early stage HIV disease. This and a possible lack of a clear  role of CD+ cells in HBV immunity may explain this observed lack of effect by co-infection on the immunologic status of blood donors. More studies are advocated to further elucidate and study the role CD4+ bearing cells on HBV immunity."

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