HIV- and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-associated elevations in oxidative stress likely play a role in incomplete immune reconstitution, opportunistic infections and non-AIDS co-morbidities. We aimed to test the hypothesis that children living with HIV exhibit elevated markers of oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant profiles and that HAART-therapy will exacerbate these differences. HIV-positive HAART-naïve (n = 50) and HAART-treated (n = 50) and HIV-negative control (n = 50) participants, 3-15 years of age, were recruited from Black Lion Hospital in Ethiopia. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and bilirubin were higher and vitamin C and zinc were lower in HAART-naïve and HAART-treated compared with HIV-negative subjects and higher in HAART-treated compared with HAART-naïve subjects. Uric acid was higher in HAART-naïve compared with HAART-treated and HIV-negative subjects. Differences in MDA and several antioxidants were also observed across treatment regimens. Thus, children living with HIV exhibited systemic elevations in oxidative stress and reduction in antioxidants, which are exacerbated with HAART therapy.

According to the WHO daily report, the world lost 4.3 million peoples and more than 203 million of the people were infected by the epidemic till August 10, 2021. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) is a respiratory disease and it is a systemic infection with cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neurological, and hematological manifestations, leading to death. Many biomarkers reflecting the main pathophysiological characteristics of the disease have been associated with the risk of developing severe disease. Biochemical changes like leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, cytokine storm, decreased albumin, increase in ALT, total bilirubin, LDH, and procalcitonin levels are significant predictors of ICU admitted COVID-19 patients. So, monitoring of biochemical parameters in COVID-19 patients is critical for assessing disease severity and progression as well as monitoring therapeutic intervention.

A Laboratory Manual for the Preparation of Chemical Reagents, Solutions and Special Indicators. ETHIOPIAN BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE, Microbial Biodiversity Directorate. This manual includes detailed view of the following: Laboratory Safety Precautions, Chemical Reagent Preparation, Buffer and Chemical Solution Preparation, Staining Solution Preparation, Indicators and Dye Solution Preparation, Preparation of Special Reagents, Known and Suspected List of Carcinogens and References.