Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1996 Feb;72(1):27-31.
doi: 10.1136/sti.72.1.27.

Reference ranges and sources of variability of CD4 counts in HIV-seronegative women and men

M K Maini  1 , R J Gilson, N Chavda, S Gill, A Fakoya, E J Ross, A N Phillips, I V Weller
Affiliations

Reference ranges and sources of variability of CD4 counts in HIV-seronegative women and men

M K Maini et al. Genitourin Med. 1996 Feb.

Abstract

Background: CD4 lymphocyte counts are used to monitor immune status in HIV disease. An understanding of the variability of CD4 counts which occurs in the absence of HIV infection is essential to their interpretation. The sources and degree of such variability have not been extensively studied.

Objectives: To establish reference ranges for CD4 counts in HIV-seronegative women and heterosexual men attending a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, and to identify possible differences according to gender and cigarette smoking and, in women, any effect of the menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive use and cigarette smoking.

Design: Female and heterosexual male patients attending a GUM clinic and requesting an HIV-antibody test were recruited prospectively. Results from an earlier study of CD4 counts in homosexual men were available for comparison.

Methods: Lymphocyte subpopulation analysis on whole blood by flow cytometry.

Results: The absolute CD4 count and percentage of CD4 cells (CD4%) were significantly higher in women (n = 195) than heterosexual men (n = 91) [difference between the means 111 x 106/1 (95% CI 41, 180) and 3.1% (1.30, 4.88)]. The absolute CD4 count and CD4% were also significantly higher in smokers (n = 143) than non-smokers (n = 140) [difference 143 (79, 207) and 2.1% (0.43, 3.81)]. Reference ranges for absolute CD4 counts (geometric mean +/- 2SD) were calculated on log transformed data as follows; female smokers 490-1610, female non-smokers 430-1350, heterosexual male smokers 380-1600, heterosexual male non-smokers 330-1280. Among other variables examined, combined oral contraceptive pill use was associated with a trend towards a lower absolute CD4 count. Changes were seen in CD4% with the menstrual cycle. CD4 counts and CD4% did not differ significantly between heterosexual men and homosexual men (n = 45).

Conclusion: There is a significant gender and smoking effect on CD4 counts. The effects of oral contraceptive use and the menstrual cycle warrant further investigation.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. N Engl J Med. 1990 Jan 18;322(3):166-72 - PubMed
    1. N Engl J Med. 1990 Jan 18;322(3):161-5 - PubMed
    1. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1990 May;55(2):187-220 - PubMed
    1. AIDS. 1990 Apr;4(4):327-33 - PubMed
    1. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1990 Jul;56(1):88-96 - PubMed

Publication types

Substances