CD38 as Surrogate Marker for HIV Infection in Antiretroviral Naive and Antiretroviral Experienced Patients in Kenya

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patient management continues to be a challenge all over the world. CD4 absolute counts and viral load are the gold standard tools for monitoring of HIV-1 disease. However, the use of CD4 counts cannot be used solely to determine the overall status of immune system. It requires the additional measurement of viral load. Determination of viral load is also expensive in many places that are limited with resources. Therefore, there is need for identification of other markers for management of HIV. CD38 is one such candidate marker. The main the correlation between CD38 antibody binding capacity (ABC) and viral load. A a negative correlation was established for participants not on drugs, whereas a positive correlation was exhibited between CD4 and viral load for group on drugs. There was a significant correlation between CD38 ABC and viral load. CD38 levels for the group not on drugs was elevated the same way viral load was, whereas for the group on drugs CD38 levels were lowered the same way as viral load. There was no significant correlation between ages with the outcome from the two groups. Quantification of CD38 may therefore be an affordable test that can serve as an extra tool in HIV-1 management. However, more studies are required to justify the use of CD38 as a surrogate marker for HIV patients on ART.