Low CD4+ T-lymphocyte values in human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults in Botswana

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2004 Sep;11(5):930-5. doi: 10.1128/CDLI.11.5.930-935.2004.

Abstract

CD4+-lymphocyte counts (LCs) play a crucial role in the management and monitoring of HIV infection. Variability in CD4+ LCs has been reported to occur as a result of measurement techniques and/or biological variations. We report on the CD4+ LCs of healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative adults in Botswana. Samples were obtained from HIV-seronegative blood donors. The median CD4+ LC was 726 cells/mm3 (for females, 782 cells/mm3; for males, 698 cells/mm3). The median CD8+ LC was 488 cells/mm3 (for females, 494 cells/mm3; for males, 485 cells/mm3). The median CD4+-to-CD8+ ratio was 1.57 (for females, 1.66; for males, 1.51). Our findings of low CD4+ LCs among HIV-negative adults in Botswana are significant and have important implications for the management of HIV disease in the population of this sub-Saharan African country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Botswana / epidemiology
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Seronegativity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reference Values
  • Sentinel Surveillance