AEGiS-14IAC: HIV infection in multitransfused Thalassemics

AEGiS-14IAC: HIV infection in multitransfused Thalassemics - A follow up report.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

HIV infection in multitransfused Thalassemics - A follow up report.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. A10070)

Chowdhury PC
Institute of Child Health, kolkata, India

BACKGROUND: Routine maintenance protocol formulated by The TIF for multitransfused Thalssemics, they were tested for TTV namely Hepatitis B, C and HIV. Those found positive, we wanted to watch out for any deviation from the standard management protocol both for Thalassemia and HIV

METHODS: 25 patients were tested by ELISA, positives were confirmed by Western Blot.7 were found positive for HIV infection. There were 6 males and 1 female, age from 7 to 12 yrs.6 were infected by HIV I and 1 by HIV II,.They were followed for: Growth, Hematological, Hepatic and Renal Profile and Iron overload status. They were given blood transfusion to maintain the hemoglobin around 9.5 gm%, and regular chelationl was done with Desferoxamine and Deferiprone . Regular physical and clinical check up was done and Viral Load and CD4 count was done every 6 months.

RESULTS: They were followed up for a period of 2 years. Transfusion interval did not decrease and hemoglobin was maintained on the previous transfusion protocol. There was increase of weight percentile by 10 and height by 5, no significant change of the parameters of hepatic and renal function. Bilirubin 0.8 to 1.2 mg%, SGOT - 42 to 89IU,SGPT - 35 to 110IU,ALP - 386 to 678IU,Urea - 23 to 34mg%, Creatinine - 0.8 to 0.9 mg%, OGTT was normal . Ophthalmological and Audiological profile was normal. Nocase of leucopenia or thrombocytopenia, though all the patients were on combination chelating therapy. Serum Ferritin at the start was 3400± 500ng/dl and at the end 1869 ± 600 ng/dl. Lymphocyte count 50 to 60%, % of CD4,42 to 43 %, Absolute Lymphocyte count 4 to 5 X 10 9 /l and absolute CD4 count 1.5 to 2 X 10 9 /l, viral load was low . None were started on ART.

CONCLUSION: Thalassaemic patients don't pose extra risk towards AIDS progression, on regular follow up, ailments treated early, the management of thalassemia is universal, early initiation of ART is not necessary.good monitoring will save unnecessary expenditure.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Viral Load, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV Seropositivity, HIV-2, Blood Transfusion, Thalassemia, Human, Male, Female, organization & administration

020707
A10070