Immunological monitoring of disease progression following
HIV infection and seroconversion illness, latency and AIDS, not
only helps in the basic investigation of the natural history of
the viral infection in man, but also can assist in prognosis and
treatment of AIDS-defining illnesses. However, outside clinical
trials, these tests should be selected and used in clinical
practice only if they are validated as relevant and effective.
The absolute CD4+ T-helper lymphocyte count, measured by flow
cytometry, has emerged as the best available investigation, but
needs care in sampling due to diurnal and circadian rhythms,
effects of age, pregnancy, therapy, intercurrent infections and
technique. Sampling should provide a baseline and trends -
monthly intervals initially, then quarterly in uncomplicated
cases.
