CD4 counts of normal and HIV-infected south Indian adults: do we need a new staging system?

Abstract

The mean CD4 count among normal south Indians is significantly lower than that in the western population and parallels that of the Chinese. When categorized based on the CDC classification system, the mean CD4 count of HIV-infected individuals was lower. Categories of CD4 counts > 300, 81-300 and < or =80 cells/microl and CD4% > 14, 7-14 and < or = 6 correlate better with disease progression among HIV-infected individuals. A longitudinal study is required before guidelines for the Indian population can be devised.