Transaminases and Alkaline Phosphatases Activities in HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto

Background: HIV/AIDS causes life threatening opportunistic infections with increased morbidity and mortality. HAART intervention in HIV/AIDS patients has not only reduce morbidity and mortality but also cause hepatic injury and elevation of the liver enzymes.

Aim: To measure the liver enzymes in HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and HIV/AIDS negative subjects.

Methodology: Seventy patients aged 20-50 years with asymptomatic HIV seropositive infection on HAART, 39 of whom are on first line drug and 31 on second line drug were assessed and 30 apparently healthy subjects (control) that tested negative for HIV 1 and 2 were recruited into this study. Venous blood was collected to determine the plasma levels of ALT, AST and ALP using kinetic method. Data were statistically analyzed using paired t-tests, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Result: The activities of serum ALT and AST observed in HIV infected asymptomatic patients on HAART (first line and second line drug) were significantly higher (P<0.001) than in the HIV negative (control) group. No significant difference was observed in ALP of HIV infected asymptomatic patient on HAART (those on second line drug) P>0.05 while there was a significant difference in those on first line drug (P=0.0058) when compared with the control.

Conclusion: Management of HIV/AIDS patients with HAART should be done with caution because hepatic injury may ensue due to the HAART.