International Journal of Medical Laboratory

en Nutritional Status, Serum Proteins, and Some Trace Elements in HIV Drug-Naive Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy عمومى General پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: justify;">Background and Aims: This cross-sectional study examined the nutritional status, serum proteins, and some trace elements in human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) drug-naive patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Material and Methods: Twenty-five drug-naive subjects, 25 subjects on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 20 control subjects aged 21 to 65 years were conveniently recruited. Serum total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin were assayed spectrophotometrically. In contrast, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium were assayed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. CD4 count was done by Flow Cytometry. Then, the nutritional assessment was performed using a subjective global assessment questionnaire. Results: Weight, body mass index, and mid-upper arm circumference were significantly lower (p = 0.000) in the drug-naive HIV subjects than in subjects on HAART and control. Serum total protein and copper were significantly higher (p = 0.000) in drug-naive HIV subjects compared to subjects on HAART and control. In contrast, albumin, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio, hemoglobin, iron, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower (p = 0.000) in drug-naive HIV subjects compared to HIV subjects on HAART and control subjects. The CD4 count of drug-naive HIV subjects was significantly lower (p = 0.000) compared to subjects on HAART. In addition, malnutrition was higher in the drug-naive subjects. Conclusions: Monitoring the course of HIV infection and malnutrition can be aided by incorporating measurements of nutritional status and some trace elements into routine laboratory tests.</div> HIV, Malnutrition, Nutrition assessment, Serum protein, Trace elements 131 140 http://ijml.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-436-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Michael Chukwuemeka Ugwu مایکل اوگو ugwumichael@hotmail.com Yes Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Anambra State, Nigeria Innocent Ikechi Ogbu اینئسنت اگبو ugwumichael@hotmail.com No Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Anambra State, Nigeria Nancy Amalachukwu Mbachu نانسی باچو ugwumichael@hotmail.com No Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria Perekeme Frank Kendabie پرکمه کندابل ugwumichael@hotmail.com No Department of Haematology, East Surrey Hospital, Canada Avenue, Redhill, Surry UK Ozoemena Christian Ike ازامنا کریسشن ایک No Department of Industrial Chemistry, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 01660, Agbani, Enugu State, Nigeria