Background: The lungs are one of the primary target organs for HIV disease and a major source of morbidity and mortality, among others, caused by Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) or recurrent bacterial pneumonia. In developing countries, the incidence of PCP infection has soared, with high mortality rates ranging from 20% to 80%. The increase in serum LDH plays an important role in determining the severity of the disease. This study aims to determine the role of LDH examination as a diagnostic tool for PCP and Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) in HIV and AIDS patients.
Method: This research is an analytical study using an observational diagnostic test design, conducted from November 2020-January 2021 at the HIV Treatment Room at H. Adam Malik Hospital, Medan with 158 subjects. We calculate the value of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.
Results: 75.3% of the total sample was male, with the highest age group being 30-39 years old (46.2%) 126 samples (79.7%) had CD4 levels 200 cells/mm3, 98 samples (62%) had LDH levels > 500 U/L. In this study, 113 samples (71.5%) fell into the ABG criteria [PaO2] <70 mmHg). LDH has superior sensitivity and specificity value compared to ABG examination. In this case PaO2 or A-A DO2 in diagnosing PCP in HIV-AIDS patients.
Conclusion: LDH examination combined with clinical and radiological examinations has good sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PCP.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, Lactate dehydrogenase, PCP.
The Role of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Compared to Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) in Diagnosing Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP) in HIV/AIDS Patients on Routine Antiretroviral Therapy
