Assessment of serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) status among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected Nigerians with anaemia using serum methylmalonic acid.

BACKGROUND

Cobalamin deficiency has been implicated as a contributor to anaemia in HIV disease. This study aimed to determine cobalamin status among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive HIV-infected patients with anaemia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted and two categories of participants were recruited: ART-naive HIV-positive patients with anaemia (Group A) and HIV-negative individuals with anaemia (Group B). Socio-demographic and medical history was obtained. Methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels (an indirect measure of cobalamin level) was carried out by ELISA method. Full blood count was determined using haematology autoanalyser. CD4 count were done only on HIV-infected subjects using cyflowmeter. Data was analysed with SPSS software, version 20.

RESULTS

A total of 180 participants comprising 126 group A and 54 group B, aged between 18 and 60 years were studied. Cobalamin deficiency (indicated by high MMA level) was found to be significantly higher among group A participants (p=0.001). There was negative correlation between haemoglobin level and MMA (r= -0.147) (p= 0.547), as well as between CD4 count and MMA (r= -0.327) (p= 0.171), though not statistically significant. The age group commonly infected by HIV was 31 to 40years (42.1%). More females were affected with HIV disease with male to female ratio of 1:3.5.

CONCLUSION

HIV-infection is associated with cobalamin deficiency and so contribute to anaemia of HIV infection. Larger population studies are recommended to ascertain the veracity of these findings.