Microbial Infections Associated with Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Parts of Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A total of 205 patients suspected of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infections were studied to determine the HIV-and or TB-associated microbial infections in parts of Delta State. HIV status was determined using (WHO) Systems two, while Ziehl Neelsen staining technique was used for tuberculosis screening. Standard bacteriological culture methods were used for bacterial isolation, while malaria parasitaemia was confirmed by Giemsa staining techniques. A prevalence rate of 51.4% obtained for tuberculosis was significantly higher (P<0.05) among the HIV-infected, than among non-infected subjects. The health point prevalence rate of isolated bacteria was 27.5%, 14.9% and 13.6% among HIV-infected subjects in Kwale, Agbor and Eku respectively. Bacterial infection prevalence was significantly higher (P<0.05) among HIV-infected subjects in Agbor than among those in Kwale and Eku. The prevalence rates of bacterial infection of 25.5%, 14.9% and 13.6% among HIV-PTB positive subjects from the three centres were comparable (P>0.05). The overall prevalence rates of malaria parasitaemia were also comparable (P>0.05) among HIV infected subject. Our study showed that opportunistic bacterial infections and malaria remain the compounding factors in HIV and tuberculosis infections in parts of Delta State.

Keywords: Microbial infections, human immunodeficiency virus, pulmonary tuberculosis.