Fungal isolation in HIV patients and CD4 count.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate fungal isolation in HIV infected patients and its relationship with CD4 count. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria (between March and July 2013). Methodology: A total of 100 positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients (28 males, 72 females; age range 1-70 years) were included in this study. The sputum specimens were tested for mycobacteria using Ziehl Neelson’s staining technique. Fungal sputum culture was carried out using standard conventional fungal culture method. Identification was done using chromogenic media and standard staining methods. Results: There were significant fungal associations with gender, age and antiretroviral therapy (P≤0.05). Out of 100 sputum samples cultured, 80 had fungal growths; 61 single and19 mixed isolates, while the remaining 20 samples were without fungal growth. Different fungi species were isolated from 5 out of the 9 patients positive for Mycobacterium spp. A total of 8 different fungal species were isolated with Candida albicans, 24(30%), as the predominant species which had a CD4 count range of 10-200 cells/μl, while Aspergillus niveus was the least, 1(1.2%) with CD4 count range of 300-400 cells/μl. Penicillium marneiffei was the second most prevalent fungi, 11(13.8%). Patients with CD4 T-cell count of less than 100 cells/μl had the highest frequency of fungal isolates from sputum 27(76.4 %) (P≤0.05), while those with CD4 counts >400 cells/μl showed no fungal infection. Patients with Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida glabrata and mixed infections had a total white blood cell (WBC) count of <4.0x109 cells /1. Neutropenia was also observed in patients with Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Pencillium marneiffei. Conclusion: HIV infection increases the susceptibility to fungal colonization and infection. The CD4 counts of the patients have a strong relationship with the frequency and type of fungal isolates. The lower the CD4 count the higher the frequency of fungal isolates. Since invasive fungal colonization of the lungs remain important causes of death in immunocompromised patients, early isolation and identification of the colonizing fungi can improve the prognosis of patients.

The Knowledge and Attitude Towards Seeking Medical Care in Case of Exposure to Sexual Violence amongst University of Benin Female Students

Background - There has been increased concern on human sexuality; especially with respect to contraception and the control of sexually transmissible infections. There is need to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that influence sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among young women. Methods - A descriptive cross sectional study that focused on the socio-demographic characteristics; sexuality; knowledge and use of modern contraceptive technology as well as interventions taken in the event of inadvertent pregnancy was conducted. A structured; close- ended questionnaire was randomly administered to 195 female nursing students with 60; 65 and 70 of them in their first; second and third year respectively. Results - Majority (76.7) of the students were in the age bracket of 20 - 24years. While 65.6of them were sexually active; only 54.9had knowledge of family planning. Condom was the commonest contraceptive used (37.4) and the main reasons were that of effectiveness (31.8) and safety (30.3). There was a significant relationship between respondents with multiple sexual partners and incidence of unwanted pregnancies (p=0.003). The majority (51.2) of those with unwanted pregnancies resorted to induced abortion