Antibacterial activity in tears of HIV positive males using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as clinical isolates

Abstract

Objective: Studies have reported that there is disturbed phagocytosis and antibacterial activity with infectious diseases like HIV especially in its productive stage. The aim of this study is to determine the antibacterial activity in tears of HIV seropositive males, using selected clinical isolates. Design: This was an experimental case control study. Method: A total of one hundred (100) male subjects made up of fifty (50) HIV-sero positive and fifty (50) sero negative patients of the age range of 16 to 55 years who came to the HIV initiative centre of the Central Hospital and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, both in Benin City were enrolled into the study. These were further divided into two age groups. The fifty HIV negative subjects served as control. Result: Out of the 50 HIV sero negative samples analyzed 35 (70.0%) and 15 (30.0%) were of 16-35 years and 36-55 years age groups respectively and out of the 50 HIV seropositive samples analyzed 35 (70.0%) and 15 (30.0%) were of 16-35years and 36-55 years age groups respectively.  There was a significant difference between the mean antibacterial sensitivity of tear samples of HIV sero negative and seropositive  individuals on Escherichia coli. (p<0.05).  Also, there was a significant difference between the mean antibacterial sensitivity of tear samples of HIV sero negative and sero positive individuals on Staphylococcus aureus.  (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the sensitivity of the tears of male HIV sero negative individuals in the age groups of 16 to 35 years to both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.  (p<0.05).
Conclusion: There is more antibacterial activity in tears of HIV sero positive males than in sero negative males. Activity is more among those within the age of 16 to 35.