Abstract

Author:
Ikalumhe Valentine Oshiole, Matthew Folarin Olaniyan

Doi: 10.26480/jhcdc.02.2025.94.98

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

HIV infection continues to pose a substantial global health threat, with Sub-Saharan Africa particularly Nigeria experiencing a disproportionately high disease burden. Although Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has significantly improved clinical outcomes and life expectancy for people living with HIV, its long-term impact on cardiovascular health remains a concern. This study focused on the assessment of cardiac biomarkers and enzymatic changes among HIV-1-positive individuals receiving ART in Auchi, Edo-North, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Edo State University Teaching Hospital (EDSUTH) from October 2024 to January 2025. The study population comprised HIV-1-positive individuals with prior ART exposure and HIV-negative individuals serving as controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, while venous blood samples were analyzed for key biochemical markers, including creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The findings revealed significant alterations in cardiac and enzymatic parameters among HIV-positive participants compared to controls. Elevated CK-MB and LDH levels in the HIV-positive group suggest potential subclinical myocardial involvement associated with ART exposure or chronic HIV infection. Liver enzyme levels also showed variations, with ALT demonstrating modest decreases and ALP showing significant reductions, which may imply metabolic shifts or drug-induced hepatic effects. Elevated globulin and total protein levels in the HIV group further reflected chronic immune activation. Notably, sex and duration of ART were associated with more pronounced biochemical changes, particularly among female participants and those on long-term therapy. This study underscores the importance of routine biochemical monitoring in HIV-infected individuals receiving ART, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Auchi. The observed enzymatic and cardiac biomarker alterations highlight potential cardiovascular risks and systemic changes that may develop during long-term ART use. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on HIV-related comorbidities and support the need for personalized treatment strategies and preventive interventions to reduce cardiovascular complications in HIV care.