Changes of erythrocytes corpuscular volume in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy

SummaryErythrocytes mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was assessed in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. The only noticeable cause of macrocytosis was the applied therapy, especially using thymidine analogues that inhibit viral reverse transcriptase. Erythrocytes volume depended on the degree of patient's adherence to therapeutic regime. RBCs volume normalization preceded detectable HIV viraemia. Authors suggest that therapy should be started with thymidine analogues (azidothymidine, stavudine), especially in potentially non-compliant patients. Such strategy could improve patients' adherence to therapy, enable introduce earlier motivational actions and help avoid unnecessary modifications of therapeutic regimens.