Publication:

Monocyte/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary opportunistic infections in Wangaya general hospital: a descriptive study

Background Pulmonary tuberculosis and Pneumocytis carinii pneumonia (PCP) are the most common pulmonary opportunistic infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patient. MLR and NLR in the context of pulmonary opportunistic infections has shown its potential in predicting risk and determining better prevention and therapy strategies. The aim of this study is to know the overview of MLR and NLR in HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary opportunistic infections.

Methods This is a descriptive hospital-based study conducted at Wangaya Regional General Hospital. Details including age, gender, pulmonary opportunistic infection (divided to TB, PCP, and mixed cases), monocytes count (%), neutrophils count (%), lymphocytes count (%), MLR and NLR as the variables in this study. Samples collected in this study were 103 patients.

Results Opportunistic pulmonary infections are more common in male than female and most in the 31-40year old category. Cases of pulmonary TB are most common pulmonary opportunistic infections. MLR and NLR were calculated according to pulmonary OIs. The highest MLR value was found in mixed pulmonary opportunistic infection cases while the highest NLR value was found in mixed OIs cases.

Conclusions Overall, MLR and NLR also shown higher value than the normal limit. Early overview of MLR and NLR in patients with pulmonary opportunistic infection can help better comprehensive treatment.