CD4:CD8 ratio and CD8+ cell count for prognosticating mortality in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy

In people living with HIV (PLWH), immune compromise is largely due to a decrease in CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte (CD4) cells, resulting in increased rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality as CD4⁺ cell count declines. Previously, it was common to defer initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic PLWH until their CD4⁺ cell count declined below a certain threshold, which has changed throughout the years based on updated guidelines, increasing access to ART, and lower drug prices.