Vitamin B12 and folate status in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Vitamin B12 and folate status were determined in 35 male HIV seropositive patients. Of these, 16 were asymptomatic (CDC II/III) and 19 were symptomatic (CDC IV) according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Classification. Deviations from normal values for serum B12, serum folate and red cell folate were not a common finding in this sample of patients. No patient had low serum B12. One CDC IV patient and two CDC II/III patients were found to have raised serum B12. Dietary intake of vitamin B12 was well above the Reference Nutrient Intake for all patients. Three patients displayed low folate values (one CDC IV patient had low serum folate, one had low red cell folate and one CDC II/III patient had both). No patient displayed elevated serum or red cell folate. Only 56% of the CDC II/III and 36% of the CDC IV group were meeting the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake for folate. The only significant difference between the CDC II/III group and the CDC IV group was a lower red cell folate (although within the normal laboratory range) in the CDC IV group. There was no significant difference in dietary intake and haematological status between the drug users and the homosexuals.