Serum protein status and electrolyte profile of HIV/AIDS patients on HAART in UPTH, Rivers state – Nigeria

Abstract

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.