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The evaluation of platelet indices and markers of inflammation, coagulation and disease progression in treatment‐naïve, asymptomatic HIV ‐infected individuals
Author(s) -
Nkambule B. B.,
Davison G. M.,
Ipp H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of laboratory hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.705
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1751-553X
pISSN - 1751-5521
DOI - 10.1111/ijlh.12307
Subject(s) - mean platelet volume , platelet , fibrinogen , platelet activation , flow cytometry , medicine , immunology , asymptomatic , coagulation , gastroenterology , viral load , inflammation , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
Summary Introduction Cardiovascular disease and thrombotic events have emerged as major causes of mortality in people living with HIV . Activated platelets play a key role in both inflammation and thrombosis. Haematology analysers measure a variety of platelet indices, which could be surrogate markers of platelet activation. Flow cytometry offers the discrimination of platelet subpopulations and evaluation of the activation status of platelets. This study aimed to measure platelet indices in untreated HIV infection and to evaluate their relationship with markers of immune activation and disease progression. Materials and methods One hundred and eighty‐five antiretroviral therapy ( ART )‐naïve HIV ‐infected and 145 HIV ‐negative healthy individuals were recruited. Platelet indices measured using the ADVIA 2120 platform consisted of platelet count ( PLT ×10 9 /L), mean platelet volume ( MPV fL), platelet distribution width ( PDW %) and plateletcrit ( PCT %). These were correlated with CD 4 count, % CD 38 on CD 8+ ( CD 38/8) T cells, viral load, fibrinogen, D‐dimers and CD 31+ platelet CD 62P and CD 36 expression, determined using flow cytometry. Results The HIV group had decreased MPV levels [median 7.7 (7.1–8.3) vs . control group 8.4 (7.8–9.2), P < 0.0001], which correlated with PCT % ( r = 0.3038, P = 0.0013), viral load ( r = 0.2680, P = 0.0177) and PDW % ( r = 0.2479, P = 0.0257). Additionally, the MPV correlated with CD 4 count r = −0.2898, P = 0.0075. The HIV group had decreased PDW %, 49.35 (46.40–52.65) vs . control group, 53.90 (50–56.80), P = 0.0170. In addition, the PDW % showed correlations with D‐dimers ( r = 0.443, P = 0.03) and % CD 36 ( r = −0.3666, P = 0.0463). Conclusion Platelet indices may offer a rapid and affordable method for monitoring platelet activation and disease progression in patients with HIV .