Igwe, K. O. et al. /Afr.J.Bio.Sc. 2(3) (2020) 88-93 Page 88 of 93
Volume 2, Issue 3, July 2020
Received : 19 October 2019
Accepted : 17 March 2020
Published : 09 July 2020
doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.2.3.2020.88-93
Article Info
© 2020 African Journal of Biological Sciences.This is an open access article under the CC BY license
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A bstract
Despite successes achieved due to the wide availability and improvement of
combination antiretroviral therapy regiments, there are still serious
complications common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients on
(highly active antiretroviral therapy) HAART. This study seeks to evaluate the
serum protein status and electrolyte profile of HIV/ AIDS patients on HAART in
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The electrolytes were
determined my colorimetric method while total protein and albumin
concentration were determined by spectrophotometric methods, but globulin
and A/ G ratio were determined by calculation. The result obtained indicated a
significantly higher total protein ( p < 0.05) in male HIV patients on HAART
when compared to the male non HIV patients. For albumin, the result indicated
a significantly lower value (p < 0.05) in female and male HIV patients on HAART
(2.38 ± 0.22 and 3.27 ± 0.22 g/ dL respectively) when compared to the control. A/
G ratio in male and female HIV patients on HAART was also significantly lower
(0.54 ± 0.09 and 0.69 ± 0.09 g/ dL) compared to the control. From the result, a
significantly lower value (p < 0.05) in concentration of sodium of female and
male HIV patients on HAART (132 ± 5.20 mMol/ L and 136.12 ± 4.85 mMol/ L
respectively) when compared to the control. The result for bicarbonate indicated
a significantly lower value (p < 0.05) in female HIV patients on HAART (23.24 ±
2.20 mMol/ L). Though the levels of most of the parameters analyzed were found
within the normal range, serum protein and electrolyte monitoring in patients
with HIV is recommended once treatment is recommended.
Keywords: Serum protein, Electrolyte, HIV/AIDS, HAART
* Corresponding author: Igwe, K. O., Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
E-mail: kalu2013.ko@gmail.com
2663-2187/ © 2020 African Journal of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved.
African Journal of Biological Sciences
ISSN: 2663-2187
Journal homepage: http:/ / www.afjbs.com
Serum protein status and electrolyte profile of HIV/ AIDS patients
on HAART in U PTH, Rivers state – Nigeria
Igwe, K. O.
1
*, Ujowundu, C. O.
2
, Chieme, S. C.
3
and Obasi, U. K.
4
1
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. E-mail: kalu2013.ko@gmail.com
2
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. E-mail: ujowundu@yahoo.com
3
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. E-mail: cchukwudoruo@gmail.com
4
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. E-mail: obasiuchechi@gmail.com
Research Paper Open Access
Igwe, K. O. et al. /Afr.J.Bio.Sc. 2(3) (2020) 88-93
https://doi.org/10.33472/AFJBS.2.3.2020.88-93
1. Introduction
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a linear single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus of the Retroviridae
family which attacks immune cells called CD4 cells, which are types of T cells thereby causing acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (Zhang et al ., 2011 ). AIDS is a common condition which has considerable impact
on the ability of the body to fight infections. The virus is widely transmitted through contact of infected people
with semen, virginal secretion, breast milk or blood by uninfected persons ( Stanley and Madhavan, 1999 ).There
is evidence that HIV plays a crucial role in damaging the immune system which helps the body to fight off
infections (Haseltine and Wong-Staal, 1988).