Clinical Profile Of Hansen's Disease Patients In The Multidrug Therapy Era At The Unth, Enugu

Background: Leprosy continues to be one of the major public health problems in many countries including Nigeria. It is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium Leprae. After the commencement of the multi drug therapy (MDT) era and its accompanying anti-leprosy measures in Nigeria [through the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP)], leprosy patients attending the Skin clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching hospital, Enugu, were assessed over a five year period (1997-2001). Objective: The aim of the study was to document the current profile of Hansen's disease in a tertiary hospital setting in this MDT era. Results: Four hundred and nineteen patients had leprosy and 271(64.7%) benefited from MDT: 21(5.1%) were children and 390 (94.8%) adults. The patients were aged between 5-81 years, with a female preponderance of 248 (60.3%). Main findings were prevalence of 3.9% for leprosy with new case detection rate ranging from 0.4 in 1997 to 0.73 in 2001. New cases presented more regularly to the skin clinic since 2000 (

Scabies and its clinical profile in Enugu

…………………. Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 1 (1) 2002: pp. 27-3

Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 Infection among Females in Enugu, Enugu State

BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection is life long with manifestation in a small proportion of those infected. It has presented public health concern because of its progressively increasing prevalence which some authorities say is of epidemic proportion in developing countries. Herpes simplex virus type 2 has recently been found to have synergistic effect with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and co-infection of the two presents more severe burden to the immunity of the victim. This leads to much morbidity and mortality with negative economic impact. In this study, we set out to determine antibody prevalence of HSV-2 in women attending skin and ante natal care [ANC] clinics in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital [UNTH] and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital [ESUTH].MATERIALS AND METHODS: 180 female patients/clients attending skin and ANC clinics in UNTH and ESUTH were enrolled in this descriptive study. Sociodemographic data and medical history were collected using a questionnaire. They were also examined for signs of HSV 2 manifestation, other STIs and WHO staging if HIV positive. Samples were also taken for serology, Gram staining and CD4 T-lymphocyte count.RESULTS: The prevalence of HSV 2 was found to be 77.8% (n=137) and 14.6% (n=20) had clinical diagnosis of HSV-2.The HIV and HSV-2 co-infection rate was 5.11% (n=9) and out of 11 that were HIV positive, 9 (81.82%) were HSV-2 antibody positive. The HIV prevalence in this study was 6.3%.CONCLUSION: Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection is common among females in Enugu, Enugu State and is commoner among those with HIV infection.   KEY WORDS: HSV 2 Infection, HIV, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Females, Enug