Determination of CD4 T cells among children infected by HIV during anti-retroviral therapy (ART)

Abstract

Abstract Mother-to-child transmission is by far the commonest source of HIV infection in children. Therefore, its necessary to have a policy which provides the frame work, response intervention in the prevention, care and support of these infected and affected by the epidemic and mitigation of its impact. This study is conducted on newly born babies to mothers infected with HIV/AID to determine levels of CD4 T cells in an attempt to find a correlation between these level and the Mother-to-child transmission process, so it can participate in the ongoing efforts of control using anti retroviral therapy (ART). Level of CD4 cell in infected mothers was determined by using rapid test (determine), immunocomb and PCR (DBS). The effect of ART on vertical transmission of neonates was evaluated by using CD4 and PCR, DBS. HIV analysis in mothers infected using rapid test (Determine) (RT) and immunocomb gave similar results. HIV analysis in infected mothers and their infected infants using either RT or immunocomb test revealed similar results and CD4 count was high in the majority of the study population indicating the effectiveness of ART. Our findings suggest that CD4 count following ART initiation have appreciably changed in the majority of the study population. However in few children CD4 count had not influenced by