The predictive role of CD4+ cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio in immune reconstitution outcome among HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy: an eight-year observation in China

BACKGROUND: The immune reconstitution after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among HIV-infected individuals substantially affects patients' prognosis. However, the dynamic characteristics and predictors of reconstitution outcome remain unclear. METHODS: cell counts with 8-year follow-up were collected for analysis. RESULTS: cell count had the highest predictive value, with the best cut-off value of 188 cells/μl, the predictive sensitivity was 81.0%, the predictive specificity was 85.2%, false positive rate was 14.8%, false negative rate was 19.0%, positive predictive value (IR) was 63.0%, negative predictive value (INR) was 93.5%. CONCLUSIONS: cell count and baseline CD4/CD8 ratio may serve as a valid predictor of immune reconstitution prognosis after HAART.