Acute shortage of CD4 test kits in Karnataka hits HIV/AIDS patients 

Acute shortage of CD4 test kits in Karnataka impacts HIV/AIDS patients, hindering treatment and monitoring of immunity.

An acute shortage of CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) test kits in Karnataka has hit people living with HIV/AIDS hard for the last six months. 

The CD4 count is a vital parameter that measures the immune system. A low CD4 count means HIV has weakened the immunity. Before being initiated into the first line of ART (antiretroviral therapy), screening is done not only to identify the combination of drugs but also to deal with the side effects of the toxic multi-drug therapy.

Although the State has been following a “Treat All” policy since 2017, which mandates free ART initiation irrespective of the CD4 count, new patients in several districts (including Chikkaballapur, Dharwad, Athani, Gangavati, Ramanagara, Yadgir and Mudhol) are finding it hard to get the treatment without the test. Besides, those already on treatment are anxious as the monitoring of their immunity is affected.

December 1 is observed as World AIDS Day.

The State has over 50 CD4 machines of three different brands — 27 Sysmex, four Alere Pima and 20 BD Presto machines — that are in working condition. While the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) is supplying test kits for the former two brands (Sysmex and Alere Pima), it has asked the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) to procure test kits of BD Presto locally. KSAPS officials said the shortage is due to delays in local procurement.

Patients in some districts said their CD4 count has not been tested for months. “It helps determine treatment plans and monitors the effectiveness of ART,” said Rekha, a transgender who lives with HIV in a village in Davangere district.

“Without regular CD4 tests, we are at greater risk of opportunistic infections, especially tuberculosis (TB). It creates uncertainty and stress, which in turn reduces the count again,’’ said Mallika Shivahalli from Bagalkot, who has been living with HIV for the past 12 years.