Comparison of a New, Affordable Flow Cytometric Method and the Manual Magnetic Bead Technique for CD4 T-Lymphocyte Counting in a Northern Nigerian Setting

Abstract

We compared two techniques for CD4 T-lymphocyte counting: flow cytometry (Cyflow) and magnetic beads (Dynabead). Similar results with good correlation were obtained from the 40 adult blood samples counted (P ‫؍‬ 0.057, r ‫؍‬ 0.93). The Cyflow technique is more precise and cost-effective than the Dynabead method ($3 to $5 versus $12 to $22 per test, respectively), since as many as 200 samples can be measured per day.

Correlates between HIV/AIDS Antibody with some Immuno-Hematological Variables of Infected Subjects in Niger Delta Communities

“…Eventually the system could not maintain the number of functional T-cells and the cells will decrease. As more CD4 cell are damaged, the immune system becomes fragile and weakens (Imade et al, 2005). The higher the number of CD4 cells, the stronger the immune system.…”

“…Eventually, the system might no longer keep up with the health challenge associated with this trend as the number of active T-cells continues to decrease downward leaving the body more vulnerable for attack. As more and more CD4 cells become damaged, the immune system becomes more and more weakened (Imade et al, 2005). It is strongly believed that the higher the number of CD4 in the system, the active and more robust is the immunological responses of the system.…”

Challenges Associated with the Effective Management of HIV Infection in a Low Income Setting in Sub Saharan Africa: Case Study of Nigeria

“…This pace cannot accommodate the expansion of ART in these centres and in other centres that would rely on them for laboratory support. Through a generous donation from MTN Nigeria, a telecommunications company, APIN was able to equip two federal treatment centres-at University College Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital-with flowcytometry-based instruments (Imade et al, 2005), which allow technicians to process more than 100 CD4+ tests daily. The instruments cut the cost of the tests four-to fivefold.…”

Absolute CD4+ cell count using a plastic microchip and a microscopic cell counter

“…The precise determination of CD4 1 T cell counts by flow cytometry using a technique for fluorescence-based measurement of immuno-labeled cells has been designated as the 'gold standard' for CD4 counting by the WHO (3). However, CD4 counting by flow cytometry is mostly unavailable in developing countries because of the complexity of the method and an associated high cost, whereas manual methods are extremely labor intensive, have a low throughput and are less accurate than the use of traditional flow cytometry methods (5)(6)(7)(8). Therefore, efforts have been made to develop alternative and affordable CD4 1 T cell counting methods for resource-poor settings (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

“…Determination of the count of CD4 1 T cells in peripheral blood is essential for staging HIV-infected patients, to decide the need for antiretroviral medications and to monitor the course of infection (3)(4)(5). During therapy, the presence of adequate CD4…”