Raised Levels: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Associated Complications in HIV Positive Zambians before Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy
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Date
 2017 
Authors
Mantina, F.H.
Mwaba, F.
Sinkala, M.
Kwenda, G.
Kaile, T.
Nhhoma, P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
 University of Zambia, Medical Library 
Abstract
 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 . 
Description
 Plasma levels of IL-6 in HIV positive and HIV negative individuals and to correlated with CD4 count 
Keywords
 HIV Seropositivity , Cardiovascular Diseases , HIV Infections--Zambia , Heart Diseases--HIV Infections--Zambia 
Citation
 Mantina, F.H., Mwaba, F., Sinkala, M., Kwenda, G., Kaile, T. and Nhhoma, P. (2017). Raised  Levels: A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Associated Complications in HIV Positive Zambians before Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy. Medical Journal of Zambia. 44 (2)