Question
What does the rise of CD8 mean?
9 January 2009. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Other tests.
Hi!
I have been on ARV treatment for nine months. My CD4 count at the begining was 61. Now, after taking a combination of AZT+3TC and efavrenz for 9 months, my CD4 count is 230, and my VL less than 40 for 6 monthes. However, my CD8 count is increasing. It was 1340 at the begining and now it is 2000. What does this mean? What does the rise in the CD8 mean to you?
In the first 3 months of my treatment, my CD4 count increased by 131 and became 192. But for the last six months, it increased by only about 38. Is this normal? Why did it increased by a reltively high number at first and just increased at lower rate later? Can you give me some explanations?
Thank you for your help.
Answer
The CD8 cells are T cells with CD8 receptor that recognizes antigens on the surface of a virus-infected cell and bind to the infected cell and kill it. A normal CD8 cell count is about 300
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