A study of T/NK cell distribution in HIV positive adults by flow cytometry

Abstract

Background: HIV attacks a specific type of immune system cell such as CD4 helper cell or T cell in the body. Also, natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in immune response against HIV infection. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the variation of T/NK cells in HIV positive adults by flow cytometry and its correlation to disease status. Method: A total of 100 HIV positive cases >18 years of age diagnosed as per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines were included. The data was collected from patients regarding demographic profile, clinical spectrum and T/NK cells parameters. Results: WHO staging of patients showed that maximum patients belong to Stage III (33%) followed by Stage II (29%), Stage I (27%) and Stage IV (11%). Majority of patients had lower CD4 count