Publications

Research outputs, reports, policy briefs and knowledge products from KIU scholars and partners.

2023 School of Allied Health Sciences International Journal of Current Research in Medical Sciences

Implications of CD4/CD8 ratios in Human Immunodeficiency Virus infections

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu; Godfred Yawson Scott; Felix Amekpor; Getrude Uzoma Obeagu

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major Public Health burden to the world despite all efforts to eradicatethe menace. HIV infection is characterized by profound CD4 T cell destruction, compromised mucosal barrierfunction and chronic immune activation. In addition, this infection is associated with a marked activation andexpansion of HIV-specific and bystander CD8 T cells. The impairment in CD4 T cell regeneration and the persistentelevation of CD8 T cell counts are considered to be a consequence of viral persistence and multiple inflammatoryfactors including gut microbial translocation, leading to major T cell dysfunction. The ratio of CD4/CD8 is veryimportant in the improvement of the lives of the HIV positive patients and should be carefully monitored and thebalance maintained.