The Clinical Utility of Platelet and Platelet Biomarkers in the Management of HIV Infection

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the world’s public health challenges that affect the immune system as well as the haemostatic functions.

Aim: This study assessed the platelet count, plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in HIV patients on ART and ART-naïve attending HIV clinics at AE-FUTHA – Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted on HIV patients. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant/guardian and study protocol was approved by the hospital’s Research/Ethics Review Committee. A total of 57 subjects (age; 17-38 years) were selected and grouped as follows; group I, age/sex-matched apparently healthy control (N=19), group II; HIV patients on ART (N=19) and group III; HIV patients ART-naïve (N=19). The HIV status of participants was determined using WHO serial testing algorithm and confirmed by Western blot. The platelet counts (PC)and platelet indices were determined using 5-part haematology analyzer (HCT Mindray BC 5150 Auto Hematology). Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: There were consistent significant decrease (P<0.05) in mean platelet counts (109/L); of 243.11±68.46, 191.53±76.58 and167.89±58.71 for control, HIV patients on ART and HIV patients ART-naïve respectively. There were significant differences in PDW, PCT and MPV among the three groups. The MPV showed consistence decrease in mean values when patient groups were compared with control. No significant relationship was observed between platelet count and PDW and MPV among the three groups. However, there was significant relationship between plateletcrit (PCT)) and platelet count of the apparently healthy participants.

Conclusion: Platelet and platelet indices have prognostic utility in the management HIV patients and should therefore be assessed before enrolment for antiretroviral therapy and periodically during therapy.