Correlation Between Radiological Features of Axillary Lymph Nodes with CD4 Count and Plasma Viral Load in Patients with HIV.

Objective

Axillary lymph node changes are frequently observed in patients with HIV, yet their radiological characteristics and clinical significance remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the association between axillary lymph node computed tomography (CT) features and clinical markers of immune function, including CD4 lymphocyte count and plasma viral load, in HIV-positive patients. Materials and

Methods

In this retrospective study, 113 HIV-positive patients who underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT were included. Patients were stratified by CD4 count (<200, 200-500, >500 cells/μL) and plasma viral load (<100,000 or >100,000 copies/mL). Axillary lymph node parameters-including maximum and minimum diameters, cortical thickness, hilar width, and density (Hounsfield units, HU)-were measured on multiplanar reconstructed CT images. Group differences were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman's correlation was used to evaluate associations between imaging and laboratory findings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified optimal density thresholds.

Results

Lymph node diameters, cortical thickness, and hilar width did not significantly differ between CD4 groups. However, mean lymph node density was higher in patients with CD4 < 200 cells/μL (p = 0.024). A density threshold of 84.5 HU distinguished impaired from preserved immune function (sensitivity 61.1%, specificity 71.2%). Patients with viral load >100,000 copies/mL showed increased lymph node density, minimal diameter, and cortical thickness.

Conclusions

Elevated axillary lymph node density correlates with immune suppression and high viral load, suggesting its potential as a non-invasive prognostic imaging biomarker in HIV infection.