Raised Interleukin 6 Levels: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Associated Complications in HIV Positive Zambians before Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy

Authors

  • P Nhhoma University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
  • T Kaile University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Lusaka, Zambia
  • G Kwenda University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
  • M Sinkala University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Lusaka, Zambia
  • F F Mwaba University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Lusaka, Zambia
  • H. H Mantina University Teaching Hospital, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Lusaka, Zambia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.44.2.260

Keywords:

Interleukin-6, HIV, Cd4

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare plasma levels of IL-6 in HIV positive and HIV negative individuals and to correlate them with CD4 count
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. IL-6 and CD4 were assessed in HIV positive on ART, HIV positive ART- naïve and HIV negative control participants.
Results and Conclusion: Our study showed that HIV ART naïve participants had higher IL-6 concentrations (2.83 ± 1.60 ng/ml) than those on ART (2.49 ± 1.21 ng/ml) p = 0.020. HIV negative control participants however, had higher concentrations of IL-6 (3.24 ± 1.33 ng/ml) than HIV positive participants on ART (2.49 ± 1.21) p = 0.002. HIV positive ART naïve individuals therefore, had the highest IL-6 levels. The results also showed that ART lowers inflammation in HIV and this may explain why ART reduces the risk of developing opportunistic tumours and other infections in HIV.

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Published

11-06-2017

How to Cite

Nhhoma, P., Kaile, T., Kwenda , G., Sinkala, M., Mwaba, F. F., & Mantina, H. H. (2017). Raised Interleukin 6 Levels: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Associated Complications in HIV Positive Zambians before Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy. Medical Journal of Zambia, 44(2), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.55320/mjz.44.2.260

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Section

Original Article