Plasma Fat Predictors of Immunological, Virological and Clinical Status in Adults with HIV/AIDS in Ndola District of Zambia: A Cross Sectional Study

The study explored the potential role of plasma fat in the augmentation of the immune response and the suppression of the viral load, and how this would correlate with clinical status in Zambian adults with HIV/AIDS. The results reveal that the typical plasma fat profiles in the patients presenting for care were generally within normal and suggested a positive and inverse correlation with CD4 count and viral load respectively, though falling short of statistical significance per regression models. BMI was found to be a positive predictor of CD4+ count more so by female gender and an independent predictor of prevailing opportunistic infections. The study concludes that Plasma fat was not significantly predictive of CD4+ count, viral load or clinical status. The study recommends availability of quality assured biochemistry labs and anthropometric tools to promote regular monitoring for plasma and body fat, as well as establishing and strengthening dietetic units in HIV/AIDS care facilities to provide appropriate nutritional support services