Increase in CD4+ T-Cell Count at the Time of HIV Diagnosis and Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation Among Persons With HIV in New York City.

Abstract

Trends in CD4⁺ T-cell count at human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation can be characterized using laboratory tests from surveillance.  We used CD4⁺ T-cell counts and viral loads from New York City for persons who received a diagnosis of HIV infection during 2006-2012.  From 2006 to 2012, the median CD4⁺ T-cell count increased from 325 to 379 cells/µL at diagnosis and from 178 to 360 cells/μL at ART initiation. CD4⁺ T-cell counts were consistently lower in women, blacks, Hispanics, persons who inject drugs, and heterosexuals.  Increases in CD4⁺ T-cell count at diagnosis and ART initiation suggest that the time from HIV infection to ART initiation has been reduced substantially in New York City.