ASSESSMENT OF IMMUNOGLOBIN G (IgG) ANTIBODIES AND IMMUNE CELL CHANGES IN HIV PATIENTS ATTENDING SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, SOKOTO

Abstract

This study evaluated serum total Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations and selected immune cell counts (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) in HIV-positive patients attending Specialist Hospital, Sokoto. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted, 47 participants were enrolled, comprising 42 HIV-positive adults and 5 healthy HIV-negative controls. Venous blood samples were analysed using an automated haematology analyser for immune cell counts and ELISA for quantitative serum IgG determination. Data were analysed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation at p < 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that HIV-positive patients had markedly higher mean serum IgG levels compared to controls (p = 0.001). Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in HIV-infected individuals (p < 0.001), while eosinophils were significantly elevated (p = 0.002). Neutrophil and basophil counts showed no significant differences between groups. No immunological parameter varied significantly across sex, marital status, residence, age, or educational level. Correlation analysis showed a significant moderate positive relationship between serum IgG and basophil count (r = 0.367, p = 0.011). HIV infection in Sokoto is associated with intense polyclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, severe lymphopenia, eosinophilia, and a previously unreported IgG–basophil correlation. These low-cost markers may serve as useful surrogates for monitoring immune activation and treatment response in resource-limited settings.