Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency and epidemiological characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, HIV disease progression, immune status and viral activity.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, University of the Punjab and Institute of Public Health, Lahore, from September 2005 to August 2008.
Methodology: The study enrolled samples from general population, high risk groups and spouses of HIV+ deport workers with criteria; positive double enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and positive western blot. Immune status and viral activity was determined by cluster determinants (CD4+ and CD8+) cell count, ratio of CD4+/CD8+ on flow cytometer, and HIV RNA viral load on polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: A total of 116 HIV+ untreated subjects enrolled after screening of 2260 blood samples. The seroprevalence rate in general population, high risk individuals and spouses of HIV+ deport workers was found 0%, 0.4% and 26% respectively. The CD4+ cell count was found 533/mm(3) (range 12-1800/mm(3)) and plasma viral load 27,122 copies/ml (range 00-40,621). The CD4+/CD8+ ratios <0.5, <1, <1.5 and <2 appeared as 17.2%, 30.2%, 51.7% and 0.9% respectively. Significant correlation was observed between plasma viral load, CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p = 0.001). CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/mm(3) was found in 23 HIV+ patients.
Conclusion: There was a low frequency of HIV in the general population and high risks groups as compared to very high frequency in spouses of HIV+ deport workers with significant correlation of viral activity and immune status.