The Effects of Yeast Selenium on CD4 T Cell Count of Non-Institutionalized HIV type 1 Positive Orphan Children at Orongo Widows and Orphans in Kisumu Kenya
Otieno S.B, Were F, Kabiru EW, Waza K

Abstract

Background: Multi drug resistance HIV has emerged rendering the current conventional treatment of HIV ineffective. There is a need for new treatment regime which is cheap, effective and not prone to resistance development by HIV.

Methods: In randomized clinical study of 68 HIV positive children 3 – 15 years to asses the efficacy of yeast selenium in HIV/AIDS patients, 50μ yeast selenium was administered to 34 children while in matched control of 34 were put on placebo. Blood samples of the both groups which were taken every 3 months intervals up to 6 months, were analyzed by ELISA for CD4T cells, the data was analyzed by SPSS version 16.

Results: No significant difference in age { χ2 (1, 62) =0.03, p =0.853}, cause of morbidity between test and controls {χ2 ( 1, 65) = 5.87, p= 0.015} and on condition of foster parents {χ2 ( 1,63) = 5.57, p= 0.0172} was observered. Children on selenium showed progressive improvement of WAZ and significant difference at six months{F (5,12) = =5.758, P=0.006}, and weight gain of up to2.5kilograms in six months, and significant CD4 T cell count increase t = -2.943,p< 0.05 compared to matched controls t = -1.258 p> 0.05. CD4 T cell count increased among all age groups on test 3-5years (+ 267.1),5-8 years( +200.3) 9-15 years (+71.2) cells/mm3 and in matched controls a decrease 3-5 years(-71),5-8 years (-125) and 9-13years(-10.1)cells/mm3 . No significant difference in CD4 T cell count between girls {F (2, 32) = 1.531 p= 0.232} and between boys {F (2, 49) = 1.040, p= 0.361} on test and between boys and girls {F (5, 81) = 1.379, p= 0.241} on control was observed.

Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that administration of yeast Selenium led to slowing the progress of HIV 1 in children from WHO clinical stage I by improving CD4 T cell count and hence the immunity.