Haematological Profile of HIV-Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Tertiary Hospital in Enugu State, South East Nigeria

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and its treatment with antiretroviral therapy significantly alter haematological parameters, with implications for patient management and therapeutic monitoring. This study evaluated the haematological profile of HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy for varying durations and 50 HIV-negative controls. Five millilitres of venous blood were collected into EDTA anticoagulant tubes and analysed using an automated haematology analyser for full blood count parameters, including haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, white blood cell count with differential, and platelet count. CD4 cell counts were retrieved from patient records. Anaemia was detected in 44.0% of patients, with normocytic normochromic pattern predominating. Leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 22.7% and 18.0% of patients respectively. Patients on first-line regimens containing zidovudine showed significantly lower haemoglobin values compared to those on tenofovir-based regimens. A positive correlation was observed between CD4 count and haemoglobin concentration. Duration on therapy beyond 24 months was associated with improved haematological indices. The study recommends routine full blood count monitoring for all HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy to detect haematological complications early and guide timely regimen adjustments. Keywords: haematological profile, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, anaemia, CD4 count