Objective: To assess haematological and biochemical parameters in Human Immunodeficiency

Virus patients under Antiretroviral Therapy.

Methods: We enrolled HIV patients, 18-65 years who were under first line ARV therapy and

followed for 6 months from February 2010 for changes in haematological and biochemical

parameters. Sampling was done at three months intervals. Profiles for ALAT, creatinine,

amylase, cholesterol, CD4+ and total lymphocytes, haemoglobin and monocytes were studied.

Results: There was an overall increase of both, CD4+ Lymphocyte counts from

233.57cells/mm3 to 336.45cells/mm3 and total lymphocytes from 45 to 46.6 103cells /μl, after six

months. Hemoglobin level dropped from 8.8g/L to 7.52g/L. We observed an increase in both

while serum ALAT increased from 40.27 to 47.42 U/L and amylase from 178.9 to 193.97U/L

with an increase in cholesterol from 5.88 to 8.40 mmol/L. Creatinine levels decreased from

117.4 to 115.0μmol/L.

Conclusion: The use of ARVs boosts CD4+ and total lymphocyte counts. Prolonged use of

ARVs is associated with variable degrees of liver and pancreatic damage, hypercholesteremia

and anaemia in some patients. Since many of these side effects are multifactorial, management

of HIV patients should take into consideration such side effects in making treatment decisions

based on periodic evaluation of these parameters