Selenium, zinc and magnesium status of HIV positive adults presenting at a university teaching hospital in Orlu-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased nutrient requirement. Information on micro-mineral status in HIV infected in Nigerians is lacking. We evaluated the impact of HIV infection on selenium, zinc and magnesium status of HIV infected adults presenting at Imo State University Teaching Hospital. METHODOLOGY:Fifty one (51) consecutive adult HIV patients (aged 18-56 years), presenting at the HIV treatment unit of the hospital over a period of 3-months who gave informed written consent participated. Also 48 HIV sero-negative adults (aged 19-59 years) were recruited as controls. Blood samples were collected from all subjects for mineral estimation by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results were presented as means (+/- SD) and variables compared using unpaired t-test. RESULT:Selenium, zinc and magnesium levels in HIV patients were 0.23 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.04 +/- 1.26 mmol/L and 104.61 +/- 24 mmol/L respectively. Minerals in controls were 0.29 +/- 0.09 mmol/L, 9.73 +/- 1.15 mmol/L and 125.57 +/- 29.55 mmol/L respectively. All minerals were significantly lower in HIV patients (P < 0.05). In male controls, mineral levels were 0.32 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.97 +/- 2.96 mmol/L and 94.93 +/- 28.63 mmol/L respectively. In male HIV patients minerals were 0.02 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, 8.74 +/- 1.23 mmol/L and 93.42 +/- 19.79 mmol/L respectively. All minerals were significantly lower in male HIV patients than male controls. In female controls selenium, zinc and magnesium levels were 0.28 +/- 0.09 mml/L, 9.57 +/- 1.17 mmol/L and 121.39 +/- 29.89 mmol respectively. Minerals in female HIV patients were 0.25 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, 9.17 +/- 1.29 mmol/L and 110.77 +/- 24.42 mmol/L respectively. There were no significant differences in respective micro-mineral level between female controls and female HIV patients. CONCLUSION:Selenium, zinc and magnesium were depleted in HIV infected suburban Nigerian subjects. Depletion was predominant in males possibly due to better health seeking behavior of females than males causing early presentation in females.