CD4 count recovery and associated factors among individuals enrolled in the South African antiretroviral therapy programme: An analysis of national laboratory based data

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217742
• Publication Date: 2019-05-31T17:47:17Z
• Authors: Tendesayi Kufa; Zara Shubber; William MacLeod; Simbarashe Takuva; Sergio Carmona; Jacob Bor; Marelize Gorgens; Yogan Pillay; Adrian Puren; Jeffrey W. Eaton; Nicole Fraser-Hurt
• Keywords: Adult; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Databases, Factual; General Science & Technology; Science; 610; HIV Infections; South Africa; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; MD Multidisciplinary; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Q; R; HIV; Viral Load; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; 3. Good health; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Medicine; Female; Research Article

We describe CD4 count recovery among HIV positive individuals who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) with and without severe immune suppression using complete laboratory data from South Africa's national treatment programme between 2010 2014 discuss implications for monitoring.Retrospective analysis of routinely collected National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). A probabilistic record linkage algorithm was used to create a cohort ART based on timing viral load measurements. < 50 copies/μl at initiation considered immunosuppression. multivariable piecewise mixed-effects linear regression model adjusting age, gender, year starting ART, in follow up province predict counts during up.1,070,900 had evidence 2010-2014 met the criteria inclusion -46.6% 200 cells/μl 10.1% cells/ μl. For cells/μl, predicted > >350 >500 corresponded mean durations 1.5 years (standard deviation [s.d] 1.1), 1.9years (s.d 1.2) 2.1 1.3 years). those above these threshold 2.5 0.9 years), 4.4 0.4 years) 5.0 0.1years) same thresholds. varied mostly duration start gender.For immunosuppression, 200cells/μl did not occur or took longer than 12 month significant proportions. monitoring interventions recommended advanced disease should continue until full recovery.