Authors : Ejike F. Chukwurah , Deborah Echeobi and Robert O. Nneli
Abstract: This study investigated the haematological profile of HIV seropositive patients on antiretroviral therapy who were placed on diets enriched green leafy vegetables. Eighty patients/subjects-male and females who met our inclusion criteria were selected into into three study groups-Control (group 1), group 2 (HIV + positive patients not on ARVs) and group 3 (HIV + patients on ARVs). All the HIV infected subjects were attending the HIV/AIDS clinics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu while apparently healthy individuals who were HIV seronegative constituted the control. Five milititers of venous blood collected from each subject under asceptic conditions into EDTA bottles was used to determine platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and packed cell volume. The second line regimens of ARVs were administered to all subjects in group 3 after their HIV serostatus were confirmed while group 2 were not given ARVs. All subjected were advised to fortify their diets with green leafy vegetables. The mean platelet count in group 3 was 556±153.9(SD) 109 / L; ESR = 92.15±10.31(SD) per mm h; PCV = 29.10±3.10(SD) %. For the group 2, platelet count was 81.5±31.26(SD)109/L; ESR = 95.9±25.2(SD); PCV = 24.81±2.10(SD) %. Control had platelet count of 251.4±64.97(SD) 109/L; ESR = 14.29±6.37(SD) per mm h; PCV = 41.0±4.57(SD)%. Antiretroviral therapy and nutrition increased platelet counts than ESR and PCV in HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy.
Ejike F. Chukwurah , Deborah Echeobi and Robert O. Nneli , 2007. Haematological Profile of Human Immunodeficient (HIV) Seropositive Patients on Antiretroviral (ARV) Therapy: Implication of Nutrition . Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 1: 242-244.