Authors : C. Maduka Ignatius , E. Neboh Emeka , J. Ikekpeazu Ebele , O. Ureme Samuel , Umeh Chinedu and Ejezie Ebele
Abstract: Elevations in the liver enzymes signal injury to liver cells and in some cases, to other cells in the body. The activity of liver enzymes in 100 patients, aged 20-50 years, with asymptomatic HIV seropositive infection was assessed and 50 age-matched, apparently healthy subjects who tested negative for antibodies for HIV 1 and 2 served as control. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) observed in HIV infected asymptomatic patients were significantly higher (p<0.05), than those in the reference group. Non-significant difference was observed in serum Alkaline Phosphatases (ALP) of HIV infected asymptomatic patients (p>0.05), when compared to the control subjects. Even in the absence of hepatomegaly there is evidence of greater hepatic damage in HIV infected asymptomatic patients as suggested by the results. Increase in ALT and AST is most likely due to impairment or involvement of the liver in asymptomatic HIV infection.
C. Maduka Ignatius , E. Neboh Emeka , J. Ikekpeazu Ebele , O. Ureme Samuel , Umeh Chinedu and Ejezie Ebele , 2009. Assessment of Liver Enzymes in Asymptomatic HIV-Seropositive Patients. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 360-362.