Changes in Endocan Levels and Blood Coagulation in HIV Infection
Blessing Chekwube Eluke1, Obianuju Francisca Ndubuisi2, Chidiebere Eluke3, Enerst Ukaejiofo4 and Silas Ufelle51Department of Medical Laboratory Science Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Enugu Nigeria.
2Department of Haematology Annunciation Specialist Hospital Emene Enugu.
3Department of Morbid Anatomy University of Nigeria.
4Department of Medical Laboratory Science Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology College of Medicine University of Nigeria.
5Faculty of Health Sciences College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. Enugu Nigeria.
Corresponding Author E-mail: blessingeluke@gmail.com
Abstract: Alteration in endothelial function may precede the development of morphological changes in disorders and may contribute to morbid development and clinical complications. Therefore, this work attempted to evaluate the levels of endocan (endothelial specific molecule-1) and other coagulation parameters and find their prognostic significance with respect to severity of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection. Sixty HIV infected patients on drugs and antiretroviral (ART) naïve were enrolled in a prospective, cross- sectional study while thirty HIV non reactive, apparently healthy individuals were recruited as control. Endocan was measured using high sensitive Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma levels of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were determined to check both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. CD4+ count and platelet count were also analyzed by standard methods. HIV positive patients who are already on antiretroviral therapy (ART) had significantly increased endocan levels (471.134+92.84 pg/ml) compared to normal control (208.277+106.60 pg/ml) (p<0.05) while patients that are ART naïve had significantly increased endocan levels when compared to those already on drugs (611.60+608.77pg/ml) (p<0.05). HIV – 1 infected subjects not on drugs had significantly increased platelet count (145.1+580 cumm) when compared with normal subjects (90.100+40.00 cumm) (P< .0001) however, group on drugs had marginal decrease compared to normal group (85.000+192cumm). Markers of intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation- APTT and PT were significantly elevated in HIV positive patient when compared with apparently healthy controls. This is significantly associated with severity.
Keywords: Endocan; CD4+count; Antiretroviral therapy; Human Immunodeficiency virus; coagulation; prothrombin time Back to TOC