Evaluation of Serum Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Relation to Clinical Status among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS in North-West Ethiopia
Abera Admasu Birhanu
Bahir Dar Health Science College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Bezuayehu Kerisew Semahagn *
Department of Biology, Bahr Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethipoia.
Endalkachew Nibret Simegn
Department of Biology, Bahr Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethipoia.
Melaku Adal Eshetie
Department of Biology, Bahr Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethipoia.
Abayneh Munshea Abitew
Department of Biology, Bahr Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethipoia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentration in relation to clinical status among people living with HIV/AIDS for possible interventions.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study design was used.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between January and February 2013 in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Methods: Serum concentrations of Cu and Zn from 150 people living with HIV/AIDS were measured using a fully automated flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Besides, world health organization (WHO) clinical staging, CD4+ T-cell count, CD8+ T-cell count, hemoglobin determination, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were performed to evaluate the clinical status of study participants.
Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being serum Zn and Cu deficient was higher where there is no antiretroviral therapy (ART) than on ART (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.52-8.33, P=0.003 and 5.85, 95% CI=1.22-28.058, P= 0.027respectively).Similarly, the odds of being serum Zn deficient were significantly associated to lower BMI than normal (AOR=2.61, 95% CI=1.02 - 6.67, P= 0.046) and abnormal hemoglobin was found to be a factor to having high serum Cu/Zn ratio than normal hemoglobin (AOR=3.26, 95% CI=1.07 - 9.94, P= 0.038).
Conclusions: A relatively high percentage of subjects had serum Cu and Zn deficiency and high serum Cu/Zn ratio. Early evaluation of serum Cu and Zn deficiency should be carried out and mineral supplementation along with antiretroviral treatment should be provided for pre-ART, malnourished and anemic people living with HIV/AIDS.
Keywords: Zinc, copper, copper to zinc ratio, HIV/AIDS, micronutrients, antiretroviral therapy