Low CD4+ T-Lymphocyte values in human immunodeficiency virus-negative adults in Botswana

CD4(+)-lymphocyte counts (LCs) play a crucial role in the management and monitoring of HIN infection. Variability in CD4(+) LCs has been reported to occur as a result of measurement techniques and/or biological variations. We report on the CD4(+) LCs of healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative adults in Botswana. Samples were obtained from HIV-seronegative blood donors. The median CD4(+) LC was 726 cells/mm(3) (for females, 782 cells/mm(3); for males, 698 Cells/mm(3)). The median CD8(+) LC was 488 Cells/mm(3) (for females, 494 cells/mm(3); for males, 485 cells/mm(3)). The median CD4(+)-to-CD8(+) ratio was 1.57 (for females, 1.66; for males, 1.51). Our findings of low CD4(+) LCs among HIV-negative adults in Botswana are significant and have important implications for the management of HIV disease in the population of this sub-Saharan African country.