Mehta et al. (2006) reported that hypoalbuminaemia after HIV seroconversion was associated with faster disease progression, and a likely consequence of HIV infection.17 Additionally, in resource-poor settings, the potential use of serum albumin levels as an alternative to the more costly and specialized CD4 T-cell counts and viral load assays has been recognized.18,19 However, serum albumin levels are unlikely to respond as acutely as CD4 T-cell count and viral load assays, and where available, these should always be used as first line assays. The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is HIV infectious disease.