ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis is an important opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS. Benue state is the highest HIV endemic state in Nigeria and investigation of tuberculosis cases and Mycobacterial resistance patterns are needed. A retrospective study with a review of reports of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the rifampicin resistance was detected by the Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF system was carried out from July, 2012 to September, 2013 in Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi and Nigeria Airforce Hospital, Makurdi. Pulmonary tuberculosis was detected in 21.5% (n=303/1407) of the total sample. Rifampicin resistance of 13.5% (31/230) and 15.1% (11/73) of the pulmonary tuberculosis positive cases was detected in Federal Medical Centre and Nigeria Airforce Base Hospital respectively, with an average prevalence of 13.9% (42/303). Re-treatment cases comprised 81% (34/42) whereas new cases constituted 19% (8/42) of all Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis positive cases (X 2 = 6.51; p<0.05). Mean age was 30 years and there was no significant statistical difference in gender. Rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is prevalent in Benue state, Nigeria especially, in the young adults. Therefore, laboratory facilities for rapid diagnosis of the drug resistant M. tuberculosis should be scaled up across the country. This remains an important step to achieve maximal impact in managing drug resistance in Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B virus infection has become a global public health problem. In Nigeria; several studies from different parts of the country have confirmed the endemicity of the infection. This study seeks examine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B viral infection among patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano metropolis. Method: This is a retrospective study in which patients tested for hepatitis B virus using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as a marker were reviewed over 3 years. A total of 6;395 patients comprising of 4;040 males and 2;355 females including adults and children were tested for HBsAg from January 2004 to December 2006. Over this period; 1;509 sera were tested in 2004; 2;322 in 2005 and 2;564 in 2006. Results: Among the 6;395 patients; 703(11.4) comprising of 240 (10.2) females and 490 (12.1) males were positive for HBsAg. The highest prevalence was seen at the extremes of life in which 19.4and 16.9were seen among patients below 10years and above 50 years respectively. The yearly trend of HBV surface antigenemia was 220 (14.6) in 2004; 235 (10.1) in 2005 and 275 (10.7) in 2006. Conclusion: We conclude that the prevalence of HBsAg among patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Kano is high and highest prevalence is seen at the extremes of life