Correlation of CD4 cell count with gingival bleeding index in HIV positive individuals.

OBJECTIVES To correlate CD4 cell count with gingival bleeding index in HIV positive individuals. METHODS Fifty-one serologically confirmed HIV positive individuals were included in the study. Plaque index and bleeding index was recorded by a single examiner. CD4 cell count was obtained within 30 days from the day of examination. CD4 cell counts and gingival bleeding index was correlated using Spearman's correlation test. p < 0.01 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Mean plaque score, mean gingival bleeding index score and mean CD4 cell count was 1.40, 0.96 and 249.86 cells/mm3 respectively. It was noticed that gingival bleeding was enhanced in individuals with increased immunosuppression. However, no significant positive correlation was seen between mean CD4 cell count and gingival bleeding (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION Though CD4 cells are an important indicator for clinical aggravation of HIV infection, periodontal disease as measured by bleeding index is not directly associated to the cell count.