Comparison between calculated and direct measurements of CD4 percentage for immunological monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in children

Abstract

Among 99 children enrolled in the ARROW trial of anti-HIV therapy, the percantage of CD4 lymphocytes among total lymphocytes was measured directly using one type of machine, and calculated from the absolute numbers of CD4 lymphocytes and total lymphocytes measured using two different machines. The latter method showed strong agreement with the former; it is concluded that it could be a reliable alternative method for paediatric immunologic monitoring in centres that can afford low cost CD4 count testing facilities but do not have access to automated analysers