Gender Comparison Of Alpha-Fetoprotein, CD4, Albumin and Some Liver Enzymes in Symptomatic HIV Subjects on Antiretroviral Therapy

The emergence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has remained an issue of global discuss till date as it continues to invade and ravage the world’s population despite the efforts been made globally at tackling the impact of the virus. This is a case controlled study designed to comparatively evaluate the alpha-fetoprotein, CD4+ T-cell count, albumin and some liver enzymes activities in male and female symptomatic HIV subjects on antiretroviral therapy in NAUTH Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. A total of seventy one (71) participants who were aged between 18 and 60 years attending the voluntary counseling and testing unit (VCT) and antiretroviral therapy unit (ART) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi as well as 25 control subjects were randomly recruited for the study    . CD4 count, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase activities were estimated by standard laboratory methods. Results showed no significant differences in the mean values of AFP, CD4 count, albumin, ALT, AST and ALP  compared between male and female symptomatic HIV infected individuals on ART and symptomatic HIV infected male and female subjects NOT on ART (p>0.05) respectively. Also, there was no significant difference in ALT and AST activities when compared between male and female HIV seronegative control (p>0.05) although ALP activity was significantly higher in female control subjects than in males (p=0.01). This revealed no gender specific differences in mean values of alpha fetoprotein, albumin, CD4 T-cell count, and liver enzyme activities between male and female HIV infected symptomatic individuals on antiretroviral therapy and symptomatic HIV infected persons NOT on antiretroviral therapy