Fibrinolytic activity in HIV infected subjects at a tertiary health institution at Nnewi, Anambra state.

Human immunedeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic of global concern, with thromboembolism and deregulated coagulation as cause of morbidity in infected individuals. This present study was designed to evaluate fibrinolytic and haemostatic parameters in HIV positive subjects presenting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University between November 2022 and May 2023, with a view to identifying pattern of fibrinolytic markers in the study subjects. In this longitudinal study, a total of ninety (90) HIV seropositive subjects aged 18 – 60 were recruited by simple random sampling from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and followed-up 6-months post treatment. Ninety apparently (90) healthy HIV seronegative age matched subjects drawn from the same hospital community served as control. Informed consent and ethical approval were sought and obtained and blood samples were collected at baseline (before commencement of HAART) and at 3months, and 6 months post treatment. Euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) were assayed using visual method. D-dimer were assayed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antithrombin III were assayed using turbidimetric method. Data generated were analyzed using SPSS version 25. The result showed Euglobulin clot lysis time and anti-thrombin III were significantly lower in pretreatment subjects when compared with HIV seronegative subjects, 3-months and 6-months post treatment values (F 64.454; P<0.05) and (F 19.728; P<0.05) respectively. D-dimer in pretreatment group was significantly higher when compared with HIV seronegative subjects, 3-months and 6-months post treatment values (F 64.454; P<0.05) and (F 19.728; P<0.05) respectively. D-dimer in pretreatment group was significantly higher when compared with HIV seronegative subjects, 3-months and 6-months post treatment (F 62.513; P<0.05). This study shows dysregulated fibrinolysis in HIV which is corrected by ART. Delay in commencement of ART could result in thrombosis and cardiovascular problems in the subjects. This study therefore reports dysregulated fibrinolysis in treatment naïve HIV individuals.