Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

Total lymphocyte count as a surrogate marker for predicting CD4 count of HIVinfected children and adolescents: a retrospective evaluation

International Conference and Exhibition on VIROLOGY

5-7 September 2011 Baltimore, USA

Wang Yuming, Li Yuqian, Liang Shuying, Wang Chongjian, Guo Jinling, Li Zizhao, Zhang Weidong and Li Wenjie

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: JAA

Abstract :

Background: CD4 count is a standard measure of immunodefi ciency in adults and children infected with HIV to initiate and monitor HAART, but it is not widely available in resource limited countries. Objective: Th e objective was to ascertain the correlation between total lymphocyte count (TLC) and CD4 count of HIV-infected children before and during HAART, and assess thresholds of TLC for making decisions about the initiation and monitoring HAART in China. Method: Th is was a retrospective evaluation. 266 HIV-infected children with TLC and CD4 count from four counties (Shangcai, Queshan, Shengqiu and Weishi) were included in the study. Spearman rank order correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used. Results: An overall positive correlation was noted between TLC and CD4 count (Pre- HAART, r = 0.791, P < 0.001; Six Months of HAART, r = 0.625; P=0.001; Twelve Months of HAART, r = 0.680, P=0.001). Th e ROC cure between TLC and CD4 count showed TLC � 2635 cells/mm3 could predict CD4 count of � 350 cells/mm3 with 78.28% sensitivity, 71.11% specifi city, 93.0% PPV, and 40.0% NPV at pre-HAART. Meanwhile, the optimum prediction for CD4 count of � 350 cells/mm3 was a TLC of � 2475 cells/mm3 at the time point of 6 months (76.62% sensitivity and 69.64% specifi city) and 12 months (77.03% sensitivity and 75.52% specifi city) during HAART (Table 1). Conclusion: TLC can be used as a surrogate marker for predicting CD4 count of HIVinfected children for making decisions about the initiation and monitoring response to HAART in resource limited countries.