Evaluation of Bee Venom as a Therapy Mode for People infected with Human-immunodeficiency Virus using CD4 counts
Keyword : Bee venom, Lamivudine, antiretroviral, HIV-1 and HIV-2
Author(s) : Ngenegbo U.C And Ikpeze O.O
Abstract : This study evaluated the effect of bee venom extract on people with HIV infection at Onitsha, south-eastern Nigeria. Manipulated bee-stinging method was used to infuse bee venom in a batch of patients while another batch received oral tablets of Lamivudine (antiretroviral oral tablets for HIV-1 and HIV-2). A third batch of patients was exposed to a combination of bee sting and Lamivudine. The respective treatments were repeated bi-monthly between January 2017 and December 2018. Comparison of CD4 counts of the three batches of patients were done after each treatment. Bee venom extract gave a higher CD4 counts than Lamivudine, and also potentiated the action of Lamivudine when both were used together. It was observed that opportunistic infections, especially malaria was associated with HIV infection among the patients examined.