Human growth hormone, a marker for HIV infection among adult Igbo Nigerians: relationship between human growth hormone and CD4+ count with viral load

Routine viral load and CD4+ testing is key to monitoring the extent of danger caused by HIV and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV individuals, but its availability has been limited in low and middle-income countries. The study sort to ascertain relationship between serum Human Growth Hormone (HGH) gold standard with CD4 cells and viral load in HIV-infected patients. CD4+ T-cells, HIV viral load, and HGH were assayed in HIV- infected patients from May to December 2020. 460 subjects were engaged and separated into two groups: the HIV-infected untreated (Pre-ART) and the control groups. An interventional study was conducted for the Pre-Art group after six months. Serum HGH was assayed by the ELISA method, CD4 cell count was examined by BD-FACScan flow cytometer, and HIV viral load was assessed using RT-PCR. The CD4 count and serum HGH of Pre-ART HIV-infected subjects were significantly low (p<0.05), while the viral load was significantly high compared to those treated with ART for 6months (p<0.05). CD4 count and serum HGH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in females than in males. It also reveals that CD4 count correlates positively with HGH level (r= 0.191**). Serum HGH could serve as a surrogate marker and valuable index in monitoring HIV patients.