Immunophenotypic Characterization of ART-naive, HIV Infected Adults in Kombewa Sub-county, Kisumu: A Cross Sectional Study of Rural Population in Western Kenya

Abstract

Reliable information on clinical immunophenotypic biomarkers is critical in the management of Hepatitis B and C infections especially in ART naive HIV positive adults. CD4 cell counts and the level of liver function bio-molecules can be monitored to assess the body status and treatment response to interventions. This was a cross sectional laboratory investigation study aimed at investigating the immunological phenotypes in HIV positive adults from Kisumu West Sub-county, so that overall patient care, participation of individuals in clinical trials and evaluation of adverse events can be improved. Median ALT values in Hepatitis C positive HIV positive ART Naive participants were higher than in the Hepatitis C negative participants (p=0.0494). The study underscores the need for monitoring liver enzymes levels in ART naive HIV positive patients as well, screening for viral hepatitis before initiation of Anti-Retro Viral therapy as these diseases pathologically alters the body’s immune biomarkers.