Ifeanyichukwu MO, Ibekilo Sylvester N, John Aja O’ Brien C and Okeke CO
This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of HIV infection on hemostatic parameters, determination of the influence and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on these parameters. It was carried out at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. One hundred and eighty two subjects were recruited consisting; Sixty one (31 males and 30 females) HIV positive subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with an ART duration of 6 months - 2 years ≤5 years, ≤10 years; Sixty one (28 males and 33 females) HIV positive subjects ART naïve and Sixty (30 males and 30 females) seronegative (HIV negative control) subjects. The prothrombin time (PT) was determined using Quick One Stage method, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was determined by Modified Kaolin method, thrombin time (TT) was done by Two stage method, HIV status was determined using Immunochromatographic method and Platelet count was determined using Direct current detection method. Student t-Test and ANOVA were used to analyze significance of differences in mean values between groups and among groups, respectively. PT and APTT for ART and Non-ART subjects were significantly increased compared with control (P<0.05 in each case). However, the PT and APTT compared between gender and also among duration of ART showed no significant difference (P>0.05 in each case). The TT was significantly higher in HIV-positive on ART compared to control (P<0.05). The gender and duration of ART did not show significant difference in the TT of the subjects (P>0.05 in each case). Platelet count was significantly lower in HIV-positive subjects (ART and Non-ART) compared to the values obtained in HIV negative subjects (P<0.05 in each case). However, the platelet count when compared between gender and also among duration of ART showed no significant difference (P>0.05 in each case). The reason for the increase in PT and APTT in HIV disease may be as a result of endothelial activation and liver derangement and decreased platelet count is due to cytopenias seen in HIV disease.
