Objective: To determine the effect of CD4 count on platelet count, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) among HIV patients.
Method: Blood samples were collected from 100 subjects consisting of 70 HIV treatment naive patients and 30 HIV seronegative individuals. Platelet count, CD4 count, PT and APTT were performed on the blood samples using standard techniques.
Result: HIV-positive patients had significantly (p < 0.001) lower CD4 and platelet counts than HIV-negative subjects. Also, PT and APTT were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in HIV patients compared with their HIV negative counterparts. Among the HIV-infected patients, platelet count did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between those with CD4 count < 200 cells//L and those with CD4 count 2 200 cells/microL. However PT and APTT were significantly (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001 respectively) higher in HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/microL. Only PT significantly correlated with CD4 count (r = 0.5406, p < 0.001) and this correlation was observed only among HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/pL (r = 0.6227, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/pL have higher PT and APTT values; PT only correlated with CD4 count and endothelial activation is suggested as the possible mechanism for the coagulation defect.