RESUMO
Background: This study objective was to describe the indications for the use of Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) and the results in order to provide information that may be useful in defining the role of TST in the investigation and control of childhood tuberculosis. Methodology: Through a Prospective cross-sectional study an audit of TSTs carried out over a one year period (2015-2016)in a tertiary hospital was done. The indications for the TST were extracted as well as the TST readings. Results: Of the 1276 TST requests, 279(21.9%) were for children. Majority 112(40.1%) of the tests were carried out to investigate suspected cases of tuberculosis. The TST readings ranged between 0 and 20mm. Up to 68.2% (176) were negative (0-4mm). Majority 13(41.9%) of those with positive results (>10mm) were being investigated for tuberculosis. Of those diagnosed with tuberculosis 50% had a positive result. Conclusion: TST is useful in providing supportive evidence for a diagnosis of tuberculosis. It is also useful in identifying children at school entry who are infected and may benefit from prophylaxis.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: HIV and Plasmodium falciparum malaria co-infection annually complicates about one million pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa. Congenital malaria (CM) has deleterious effects on newborns. Little is known about the effect of co-infections on the prevalence of CM in infants born by these women. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of CM in newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria compared to HIV-negative mothers with malaria in Benin-City. METHODS: Subjects were 162 newborns of mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria. Controls were 162 newborns of HIV negative malaria infected mothers. Blood film for malaria parasites was done on cord blood and peripheral blood on days 1, 3 and 7 in the newborns. Maternal peripheral blood film for malaria parasite was done at delivery and placental tissue was obtained for confirmation of placental malaria by histology. Diagnosis of malaria in blood films was by light microscopy. RESULTS: The prevalence of CM in subjects was significantly higher than in controls (34.6% and 22.2%, p=.014). Profound immunodepression (maternal CD4 cell count <200 cell/mm3) was significantly associated with CM (p=.006). The major predictors of CM in subjects were maternal CD4 cell count <200 cell/mm3 and placental malaria while in controls placental malaria was the only predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Babies born to mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria are at increased risk for CM. All babies born by HIV positive mothers should be screened for CM.
