Difference in Absolute CD4+ Count According to CD4 Percentage between Asian and Caucasian HIV-Infected Patients

The CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte count (henceforth CD4+ count) is one of the most important prognostic factors for progression of HIV infection and forms the basis for international recommendations for antiretroviral treatment and prophylaxis. However, comparative studies between African and European populations suggest that total lymphocyte count (TLC), including CD4+ count, is likely to vary significantly by ethnicity, in both, healthy and HIV-infected individuals. 

A comparison between French and West-African HIV-infected individuals suggested that the CD4+ count of 200 cells/mm3 in French individuals would be equivalent to the count of 250 cells/mm3 in West African individuals, in terms of HIV disease stage. Although similar comparative studies between Asian and Caucasian populations are lacking,previous studies in healthy, and HIV-infected Asian individuals had raised the hypothesis that Asians may have different CD4+ counts than Caucasians.