European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Lack of micronutrients like zinc and copper has been linked to a poor prognosis and high mortality in HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to look at the availability and deficit of a few trace elements in HIV-positive subjects undergoing HAART. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 150 persons who had been chosen at random and were receiving HAART at the clinic and had received a confirming diagnosis of HIV. Subjects signed written informed permission forms before receiving questionnaires. Following sample collection, the concentration of blood levels of zinc and copper was assessed using the spectrometric method, and the CD4+T-cell count was assessed using a flow cytometer. Simple percentages were used to calculate prevalence. The association between zinc, copper, CD4 and viral load deficiencies was investigated using the Mann Whitney U nonparametric test and the Chi-square test of independence. Results: The frequency of copper and zinc insufficiency was 59% and 16.7%, respectively, among the participants. A significant difference in median CD4 count and viral load was seen across zinc levels, with a p-value of 0.05, although CD4 count and viral load did not change by copper level among patients. Furthermore, p-value 0.05 indicated a link between subjects' zinc levels and immunological suppression. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the CD4+T-cell count levels rather than the nutritional status do not complement HAART therapy. While the focus of HAART therapy is strengthening the immune system, patients may still be lacking in some micronutrients while having an increased CD4+T-cell count.