[T CD4+ cell counts and their use in the management of patients with HIV-1]

The hallmark of the HIV-1 infection is the progressive depletion of the circulating CD4+ T cells. The prophylactic, therapeutic and prognosis criteria of the HIV-1 infected patients are based on the measurement of these cells. However, there are serious analytical and biological variations in the count of CD4+T cells. The factors that influence the measurement of the circulating levels of CD4+T cells and its consequences in the clinical management of the HIV-1 infected patients are described in this update. In addition, some recommendations are suggested to reduce these variations.