ArticleTropical medicine and infectious disease2026
A Preliminary Analysis of Sex-Based Differences in Immune Status, ART Adherence, and Opportunistic Infections Among HIV-Positive Patients in Rural Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Article in Tropical medicine and infectious disease, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundOpportunistic infections remain a significant cause of morbidity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa despite expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study evaluated the association between immune status, viral load suppression, ART adherence, and the risk of opportunistic infections among HIV-positive patients receiving ART in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa.
methodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using clinical records of HIV-positive patients attending an HIV clinic in Mthatha between January 2021 and December 2024. Demographic characteristics, CD4 counts, viral load results, ART regimens, adherence status, and documented opportunistic infections were extracted. Viral load suppression was defined according to WHO guidelines as <1000 copies/mL. CD4 counts were categorized as <200, 200-499, and ≥500 cells/mm
resultsA total of 155 patients (105 females, 50 males) were included. Females demonstrated significantly higher mean CD4 counts than males (
conclusionsImmune suppression and suboptimal ART adherence significantly increase the risk of opportunistic infections among HIV-positive patients in rural South Africa. Strengthening adherence interventions and early immune monitoring may reduce infection burden in high-prevalence settings.
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