Evaluation of Some Cytokines, CD4, Hepcidin, Iron, and Some Haematological Parameters of Patients Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Southeastern Part of Nigeria
Authors: Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel , Ochie Kalu, , I. S. I. Ogbu, , Nonyelum Esimai, Bessie , Chikodili Ugwuja, Mabel , Chinemerem Ogbu, , Ijego Asogwa, Eucharia 
Published: August 2020

A study to evaluate the levels of interferon-gamma, interleukins 6 and 10, hepcidin, iron status and some haematological parameters in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus was carried out. A total of 150 subjects aged 18-60 years were enlisted for this study. The subjects were grouped into: Group A (50 control subjects) and Group B (100 HIV subjects, 50 subjects were non ART HIV patients, 50 subjects were on Lamivudine, Tenofavir and Efavirenz). About 7ml of venous blood were collected from each subject; 4.5 ml of blood were placed into plain tubes for assay of interferon gamma, interleukins (6&10), hepcidin and iron and 2.5ml for FBC, CD4 count and HIV screening. The cytokines and hepcidin were measured using Melsin ELISA Kits and Teco Diagnostics kits used for iron. Full blood count was determined by automation using Mindray BC-5300, China. The data was analysed with the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 using ANOVA and the level of significance set at P<0.05. The results showed difference that was statistically significant (P<0.05) in IFN-γ (16.25±0.87 pg/ml, 29.31±1.44 pg/ml,18.49±1.48 pg/ml, P=0.000), IL-6(7.98±0.22 pg/ml, 11.08±1.21 pg/ml, 8.79±0.76 pg/ml, P=0.000), IL-10(8.52±0.62 pg/ml, 16.62±1.53 pg/ml, 10.39±1.06P g/ml P=0.000), CD4 (1045.54 ±247.24 Cells/L, 195.60 ±35.94 Cells/L,10.39±1.06 cells/L P=0.000), hepcidin (6.03±1.38 ng/ml, 39.59 ±4.50 ng/ml, 20.86±3.43 ng/ml, P=0.000), Iron (86.29±7.27 µg/dl, 73.43±5.45 µg/dl, 85.44±8.45 µg/dl, P=0.000), TIBC (345.56±28.40 µg/dl, 287.19 ±8.21 µg/dl, 305.46±18.82 µg/dl, P=0.000), %TSA (25.16±3.18%, 25.61±2.22%,28.08 ±3.42%, P=0.000) WBC (5.87 ±0.88 X 109/L, 4.69±0.72X 109/L,4.80±0.45X 109/L, P=0.000), Neutrophils (60.57±2.83%, 75.16±3.68%, 69.04±2.90%, P=0.000), Lymphocytes (30.69 ±2.84%, 17.24±2.50%, 24.46±2.60%, P=0.000), Monocytes (5.59 ±1.2%, 4.18±1.12%, 3.97±0.92%, P=0.000), Eosinophils (2.30 ±1.05%, 2.16±0.82%, 1.67±0.57%, P=0.000), Basophil 0.86 ±0.39%, 1.31±0.94%, 0.86±0.44%, P=0.018), RBC (4.92±0.30 X 1012/L, 3.34±0.21 X 1012/L, 3.60 ±0.18X 1012/L, P=0.000), Haemoglobin (14.75±0.90,g/dl, 10.05±0.65 g/dl,10.80±0.53 g/dl, P=0.000), PCV (44.25±2.70%, 30.14±1.95,32.56±1.50%, P=0.000), MCV (89.92±2.3fl, 79.49±1.28fl,88.15±2.08fl, P=0.029), MCH (36.12±1.53 pg, 26.60±0.48P, P=0.002), Platelets (261.75±22.71 X 109/L, 246.16±9.93 X 109/L,189.32±17.00X 109/L, P=0.000), ESR (7.03 ±1.38mm/hr, 59.52 ±6.46mm/hr,43.34±4.82mm/hr, P=0.000) when compared among Control, Non ART HIV and ART positive subjects.g,28.57±1.78 pg, P=0.000), MCHC (368.46±12.28 g/l, 318.92±7.33 g/l, 333.56±22.61 g/l. The study shows that interferon gamma, interleukin 6, interleukin 10 and hepcidin are some of the biomarkers in the pathogenesis of HIV. The infection of HIV increases the levels of the cytokines. The cytokines and hepcidin can be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers as their levels decreased with treatment of the patients.