PLATELET-TO-LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AND CD4 COUNT CORRELATION IN HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN WITH CANDIDAL OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS - IMPLICATIONS FOR NON INVASIVE IMMUNE MONITORING

Abstract

This study examines platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as a non-invasive correlate of CD4 count and predictor of candidal opportunistic infections in 98 HIV-infected children. At an optimal cut-off of 148, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio achieved sensitivity of 82.1% and specificity of 85.7%, with a significant inverse Spearman correlation with CD4 count (rs = -0.54), supporting its utility as a practical immune surveillance supplement in resource-limited settings.