CD4 cell counts are used to monitor the immunologic response to ART. Several factors, such as older age, lower CD4 baseline, and severe immunocompromised status, have been associated with a less than expected improvement in the CD4 count while on treatment.
CD4 count is not a reliable indicator of virologic suppression and medication adherence. In patients who develop virologic resistance while on ART, it may take months for the CD4 count to decline, and it may even initially increase. Inter-laboratory variability must also merit consideration. Prognostic value of combined response markers among human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons: possible aid in the decision to change zidovudine monotherapy.
Clinical and epidemiologic features of primary HIV infection. Effects of virologic rebound on CD4 cell counts. Within-subject variation in CD4 lymphocyte count in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection: implications for patient monitoring.
Impact on markers of HIV disease progression. The influence of prednisolone on the recirculation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in vivo. Normalisation of CD4 counts in patients with HIV-1 infection and maximum virological suppression who are taking combination antiretroviral therapy: an observational cohort study. CD4 Count. Free Review Questions. Procedures Laboratory measurement of CD4 count through flow cytometry is reported as CD4 percentages. Below is a list of typical results. Your results may vary depending on your health and even the lab used for testing.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider. While there is no cure for HIV, there are different medicines you can take to protect your immune system and can prevent you from getting AIDS. Today, people with HIV are living longer, with a better quality of life than ever before. If you are living with HIV , it's important to see your health care provider regularly.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. CD4 Lymphocyte Count. What is a CD4 count? What is it used for? This can help your health care provider find out if you are at higher risk for complications from the disease.
It badly damages the immune system and can lead to opportunistic infections. These are serious, often life-threatening, conditions that take advantage of very weak immune systems. Why do I need a CD4 count? CD8 cells are another type of white blood cell in the immune system. CD8 cells kill cancer cells and other invaders. If you have chosen not to start HIV treatment for the moment, then keeping an eye on CD4 count will help you and your doctor assess how safe it is to continue without treatment.
For example, if your CD4 cell count is or below, you are at risk of developing some serious illnesses and infections. Your doctor should recommend that you start HIV treatment urgently, without delay.
If your CD4 cell count is low, your doctor should also offer additional drugs to try prevent these infections, known as prophylaxis. You should take prophylaxis whether or not you take HIV treatment. If you have a lower CD4 cell count, then you may have some additional tests, for example screening for tuberculosis TB.
Once you start taking HIV treatment, and your viral load starts to fall, your CD4 cell count should gradually increase, over several years. The rate at which this happens can vary a lot between individuals. It depends in particular on your CD4 count before starting treatment. The higher it was to begin with, the higher it is likely to end up.
If you are able to start treatment within a few months of infection, your CD4 count is more likely to recover quickly and completely. Falls in CD4 counts have more serious implications in people who have started treatment at low counts.
This means it is especially important to keep taking treatment that suppresses your viral load to an undetectable level. That way, whether or not your CD4 count continues to rise, viral load should stay at a satisfactory level. There's more information about starting HIV treatment on another page.
A test that measures the number of CD4 cells in the blood, thus reflecting the state of the immune system. When the CD4 count of an adult falls below , there is a high risk of opportunistic infections and serious illnesses. Measurement of the amount of virus in a blood sample, reported as number of HIV RNA copies per milliliter of blood plasma. Viral load is an important indicator of HIV progression and of how well treatment is working.
0コメント