Lymphocyte subset changes in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) complications stem from prolonged human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and immune system destruction.
• CD4 positive lymphocyte depletion is a key indicator of disease progression in HIV infection.
• CD4 counts serve as a surrogate marker for disease staging and immune response assessment in clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of flow cytometry in lymphocyte subset testing for monitoring patients with suspected immune deficiency.
• To present laboratory results from an urban, inner-city population with HIV infection.
• To discuss the role of flow cytometry in managing patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was employed for lymphocyte subset analysis, including CD4, CD8, and CD4/CD8 ratio.
• Testing was conducted over three years on individuals with suspected immune deficiencies.
• Data from an urban, predominantly inner-city patient cohort were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Flow cytometry provides reliable data for lymphocyte subset testing in HIV-infected individuals.
• The study demonstrates the practical application of flow cytometry in a diverse urban population.
• Results illustrate the importance of monitoring CD4 counts and other subsets.

Conclusions:

• Flow cytometry is a valuable tool for monitoring immune status in patients with HIV infection.
• Lymphocyte subset analysis, particularly CD4 counts, is crucial for assessing disease progression and guiding treatment.
• The findings support the use of flow cytometry for patient management in clinical settings.