Pattern of infection in HIV and different CD 4 counts

pattern of infection in HIV and different CD4 counts

The CD4 count is an indicator of the degree of immunosuppression in those infected with HIV.

• in healthy individuals the CD4 count is usually above 500 cells/µl (some may have naturally lower counts)
• in untreated HIV patients, the average rate of CD4 count decreases between 40-80 cells/µl per year (some may progress faster than others)
  • a more rapid decline is likely to be present in patients who are not taking antiretroviral treatment and who have a high viral load
• patients with a CD4 count below 200 cells/µl are at most risk of HIV related problems (1)

Even at low CD4+ve lymphocyte levels, the T lymphocytes that remain still afford some protection against infection. This is manifest in a hierarchy of opportunistic pathogens, which begin to occur as the CD4+ve cell count declines.

CD4 counts and HIV related problems:

Reference:

• (1) The Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH) 2016. HIV in primary care. A practical guide for primary healthcare professionals in Europe.