Cryptosporidium infection in undernourished children with HIV/AIDS in Jos, Nigeria

Background: AIDS and Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) severely impair the immune system Cryptosporidium has over the last two decades emerged as a life threatening disease. The study attempts to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in malnourished children with HIV/AIDS. Method: Blood and stool samples of 52 HIV-seropositive children and another 52 HIV-sero-negative children aged 0-5 years were collected and screened for HIV and Cryptosporidium oocysts respectively. The sera were screened by double ELISA and the stool by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Results: Out of the 52 HIV-seropositive undernourished, under-five children, none (0%) excreted Cryptosporidium oocyst in their stools while 2 (3.8%) of the control group excreted the oocyst. Conclusion: Cryptosporidium infection seems to be uncommon among undernourished under five children with HIV/AIDS in Jos. Key Words: Cryptosporidium, children, HIV/AIDS, undernutrition Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(2) 2004: 80-8

Active tuberculosis among adult HIV-infected patients accessing antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary health facility in Lafia, northcentral Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection is a major problem in Nigeria and other countries that are ravaged by a high burden of both diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) among people living with HIV is 16-27 times that of HIV negative persons. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the risk of developing TB, there are factors which predispose those on ART to TB. This study sought to determine the prevalence of TB among adults on ART in our facility and identify the predisposing factors. Methodology: This was a retrospective study utilizing data from clinical records (folders and electronic) of adult HIV patients who are accessing ART in our facility and have been on ART for at least 6 months. A proforma was used to collect data including demographic, clinical, ART and laboratory information of the patients. The data were entered into SPSS version 23 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Associations were tested using Chi square with 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 457 patients were studied, aged 18-69 years (mean age 38.3± 10 years), and 72.4% females. Majority were married (81%), unemployed (53.8%), had mean baseline CD4 cell count of 267.4 ± 185 cells/mm3 and a mean duration on ART of 100.9± 39 months. Seventeen point three percent of the patients had a previous history of TB before or within 6 months of commencement of ART. Thirteen (2.8%) of the patients had active TB while on ART. Majority of those who had active TB were females (76.9%), married (76.9%), unemployed (46%), had no previous history of TB (53.8%), baseline CD4 cell count of ≤ 350 cells/mm3 and were on first line ART medication. There was however no significant statistical association of active TB with any of these factors. Conclusion: Few patients had active TB while on ART in this study. The high frequency of TB in those who had low baseline CD4 cell count and baseline WHO stage shows the importance of early initiation of ART in people living with HIV (PLHIV). There is need for regular screening of PLHIV for TB and innovative approaches to get people with HIV to know their TB status as well as early commencement of ART. Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus, Active Tuberculosis, Antiretroviral therapy

Determinants of Desire to Bear Children among Persons Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Lafia, Nigeria

HIV positive individuals are living longer and better quality life courtesy of increasing access to free antiretroviral therapy and therefore faced with decisions to consider childbearing. Little is known about the fertility desires of persons living with HIV and AIDS receiving antiretroviral treatment in our environment. The study was aimed at determining fertility desires among HIV positive persons receiving antiretroviral treatment in Lafia, Nasarawa State Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 320 patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Lafia, North central, Nigeria using semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaires. Descriptive, Chi square and bivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between desire for children and Sociodemographic variables. More than half of the participants (54.7%) desired to have children. Results from the logistic regression model indicated that younger age (OR: 5.09, 95% CI: 1.82-12.22), having no living children (OR:14, 95% CI: 2.34-87.55) were significant predictors of desire to have children. Participants who were not members of any support group were less likely to desire to have children (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.12-0.85). Majority of PLHIV desire to have children. Younger age, lower number of living children, membership of support group of PLHIV were significant predictors of desire to have children. We recommend that counseling on fertility desires and family planning should be introduced into the ARV programme.Keywords: Antiretroviral, Desire To Have Children, HIV, LafiaNigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 63, No. 5-6,201

Cryptosporidiosis in HIV/AIDS Adult Patients in Jos

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in adult HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhoea Method: Blood and stool samples of 190 HIV-seropositive adults and another 190 HIV-sero-negative adults aged 15-70 years were collected and screened for HIV and Cryptosporidium oocysts respectively. The sera were screened by double ELISA and the stool by the modified Ziehl Neelsen method. Result: Out of the 190 HIV-seropositive adults 17(9.0%) excreted Cryptosporidium oocyst in their stool while only 3(1.6%) of the control group excreted the oocyst. Conclusion: The prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis is high in HIV/AIDS adult patients in this environment. KEY WORDS: Cryptosporiodiosis, Adults, HIV./AIDS, Jos. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.1(4) 2003: 17-2