TRICHOMONAS VAGINALIS INFECTION AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the common non- viral sexually transmitted infections that infect both men and women worldwide. It is largely asymptomatic and its association with the risk of HIV transmission has made it a compelling public health concern. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and the risk factors associated with T. vaginalis among asymptomatic undergraduate students at Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 246 asymptomatic students of Babcock University between February 2019 to April 2020. Information on socio-demographic and associated risk factors was obtained by structured-questionnaire in an interview-based manner. First-void urine was collected from each participant for the detection of T. vaginalis using the traditional wet prep method and TV in-pouch. The data were analyzed by SPSS Version 23. Results: The overall prevalence of T. vaginalis among the participants was 12.2% (30/246). The use of wet-preparation showed 8.5% (21/246) while the use of TV inpouch yielded 12. 2% (30/246) prevalence of positive results. The results of the wet prep in comparison to the in-pouch technique was statistically significant among the study population. (P < 0.001). Sexual intercourse, use of hormonal contraceptives and practice of internet-based sex seeking behaviour were factors that had increase likelihood of T. vaginalis infection on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The occurrence of T. vaginalis and, its associated risk factors among the asymptomatic population in this study is very high. We advocate for the screening of young people.

SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 2 AMONGST PATIENTS' ATTENDING RETROVIRAL CLINIC IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER ABEOKUTA, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes worldwide and also has a role in facilitating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. The aim of the study was to determine seroprevalence of HSV-2 among the subjects and associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, 207 HIV Positive subjects attending a retroviral Clinic in Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun state were interviewed and had blood samples taken. The patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and their serum samples were tested for HSV-2 specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for consented participation. Prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was ascertained and related to demographics and behavioral variables. A total of 207 participants were recruited for this study comprising of Sixty-three (30.4%) male and 144 (69.6%) female HIV positive subjects. Seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 70.0%. Only 58(28%) had current history of genital ulcer. Logistic regression revealed a history of multiple sexual partners (P value=0.003), oral sex (P value=0.02) were found to be associated with HSV-2 acquisition in HIV patients. All other risk factors such as history of transactional sex, age at sexual debut and condom use were not significant. The results highlight the potential public health impact of HSV-2 particularly in a developing country like Nigeria where HSV-2 testing is not included in our testing and treatment protocol for HIV. This result should lead to commencement of HSV type-specific serological testing in the HIV infected population and also high risk groups should be targeted for behavioral modification messages.

Obstetric outcomes of human herpes virus-2 infection among pregnant women in Benin, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the obstetric outcomes of herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) infection among pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 674 consenting pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital Benin were recruited between November 2011 and December, 2012. The women were screened for HSV-1, and HSV-2 using glycoprotein-G-based type-specific Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay on archived blood samples; and were followed up to the delivery period and postnatal clinic. The HSV-2-seronegative participants underwent second blood sampling for HSV-2 IgG and IgM assay during the delivery period. The patients were thus categorized into "HSV-2 seropositive", "HSV-2-seronegative," and "incident HSV-2 infection" cohorts. The pregnancy outcomes were assessed by review of hospital records. Data analysis was with SPSS version 16 software. RESULTS: Of 674 pregnant women surveyed, 312 (46.3%) were HSV-2 seropositive; while 362 (56.7%) were HSV-2 seronegative. Comparing the "HSV-2 seropositive" and "HSV-seronegative" groups, there were no significant differences in occurrence of low birth weight (LBW), prematurity, spontaneous abortions, and stillbirth events (P=0.96; 0.95; 1.0; and 0.77, respectively). Comparing the "incident HSV-2 infection" with the "HSV-2 seronegative" groups, the relative risks of occurrence of LBW deliveries, preterm deliveries, and stillbirths were 12.6, 25.1, and 4.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: First episode HSV-2 infection among pregnant women in Benin, Nigeria is associated with an increased risk of occurrence of spontaneous abortion, LBW delivery, stillbirths, and preterm delivery.

Co-infections of hepatitis B and C with human immunodeficiency virus among adult patients attending human immunodeficiency virus outpatients clinic in Benin City, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and C viral co-infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are known to affect progression, management, and outcome of HIV infection. This study was aimed to access the prevalence of hepatitis B and C co-infections in HIV-infected adult patients in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with a view of understanding the gravity of this problem in the local population. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 342 HIV-infected adult patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy attending HIV Outpatients Clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, between April and September, 2011. Patients' sera were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using immunochromatographic-based kits. Clinical stage of HIV and CD4+ cell counts were equally evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Of the 324 HIV-infected patients screened, 53 (15.5%) were positive for HBsAg, 24 (7.0%) positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCV-Ab), while 2 (0.6%) were positive for both viruses. Seroprevalence of HBsAg was higher in male (17.8%) than in female (14.7%) (χ2=0.49, P=0.49), while the reverse is the case for HCV-Ab; 7.1% for female and 6.7% for male (χ2=0.02, P=0.88). Seroprevalences of HBsAg and HCV-Ab were also higher among patients in World Health Organization disease stages 3-4 and patients with CD4+ cell count≤200 cell/ml compared to those in stages 1-2 and with CD4+ cell count>200 cell/ml. CONCLUSION: Co-infection with hepatitis B virus and HCV among HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients is still a problem in our environment. Screening for these viruses among HIV/AIDS patients will allow for early detection and proper management.

A rare case of salmonella typhi meningitis in an eleven month old infant: a case report.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella are infrequent causes of childhood meningitis. Most reports of Salmonella typhi meningeal infections are confined to neonates. A rare instance of S. typhi in an otherwise healthy eleven month old infant is being reported.