Comparison of Two Methodologies for CD4+T Lymphocytes Relative Counting on Immune Monitoring of Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Considering that counting the percentage of CD4 T lymphocytes can add prognostic information regarding patients infected with HIV, the aim of this study was to evaluate the percentage values of CD4+ T lymphocytes from 81 patients determined by flow cytometry and estimated by flow cytometry in conjunction with a hematology counter. Means were compared through the Student's t-test. Pearson's correlation was determined, and the agreement between results was tested by Bland-Altman. The level of significance was P 500 cells/mL (r = 0.81). The limits of agreement were 1.0 +/- 3.8% for the stratum of CD4 500 cells/mL. The differences in the percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes obtained by different methodologies could lead to conflict when used in clinical decisions related to the treatment and care of people infected with HIV