Antibodies to antigens of Histoplasma, Blastomyces and Candida in HIV patients and carriers in Nigeria.

Serum samples from 60 subjects with confirmed HIV-1 infection including 28 AIDS patients and 32 carriers were examined by immunodiffusion for precipitating antibodies to antigens of Histoplasma, Blastomyces and Candida. Seven of the subjects, four patients and three carriers, showed antibodies to histoplasmin prepared from mycelial cultural filtrate of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum and H. capsulatum var. duboisii although without any clinical signs of classical or African histoplasmosis. Another eight subjects comprising five patients and three carriers demonstrated antibodies to yeast cell antigen of Candida albicans; three of the patients had oral lesions clinically suggestive of Candida infection. None of the serum samples revealed antibodies to "A" antigen (yeast cell antigen) of Blastomyces dermatitidis.

Sulconazole in the therapy of dermatomycoses in Nigeria.

A 1% cream of sulconazole nitrate, an imidazole derivative, was used to treat 38 patients with diverse clinical types of dermatomycoses, including 16 cases of pityriasis versicolor, 14 of dermatophytosis (tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea corporis), two of balanoposthitis due to Candida albicans, another two of candidosis of the groin, one each of groin and foot infection due to Trichosporon beigelii and one case each of lesions of the hand and trunk caused by Petriellidium boydii and Scytalidium hyalinum respectively. A complete cure was achieved in 91% of patients, with resolution of the lesions in the majority within 2-4 weeks. There were only two relapses. Sulconazole is recommended as an effective drug for topical treatment of superficial fungal infections of the skin.

Skin and serum reactivity among humans to histoplasmin in the vicinity of a natural focus of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii.

The epidemiology of histoplasmosis duboisii (African histoplasmosis) is not well understood. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of skin sensitivity and to determine by immunodiffusion the presence of antibodies among humans to histoplasmin around a recently discovered natural focus of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a bat cave in Ogbunike in the Anambra State of Nigeria. Out of the 40 subjects, all young adults aged 18-30 years, comprising cave guides, traders and farmers examined in the immediate vicinity of the cave, 14 (35.0%) gave a positive skin test. In another population of the same age group, comprising 620 persons, viz. traders, farmers, palm oil workers and some patients attending rural clinics, examined in other nearby areas in Anambra State, 55 (8.8%) reacted positively to histoplasmin. In the immunodiffusion tests, 2 (2.08%) of the 96 school children and 17 (9.4%) of the 181 young adults, including farmers, palm oil workers and traders tested amongst the population around the cave, demonstrated precipitating antibodies to histoplasmin in their sera. Only 5 (0.79%) of the 630 adults of the same age group with similar occupations examined from other areas in Anambra State had precipitating antibodies. Out of another 50 subjects examined, viz.; wood workers, traders, farmers, and school teachers in Nsukka in the Enugu State, two (4.0%) demonstrated antibodies. It is suggested that asymptomatic infections due to the duboisii variety of H. capsulatum may be common in the human population around the cave. A diligent search with the help of local hospitals and public health officials may reveal clinical cases of histoplasmosis duboisii with cutaneous and systemic lesions.

A study on existing knowledge about AIDS among undergraduates of a Nigerian University.

This study, carried out during August-October, 1991, involved 236 respondents to a questionnaire designed to determine awareness and attitudes to AIDS and the consequent effect of such awareness on their sexual behaviour. Almost all the medical students were aware of the existence of the disease, while a few (3.8 per cent) of the non-medicos believed that it had not yet reached Nigeria. Most students i.e. 98 per cent and 97 per cent of these respective groups were aware of carrier state of the disease. Only a small percentage of students, mostly medics knew about the exact signs and symptoms of clinical AIDS. The level of knowledge about the modes of transmission of AIDS was found to be adequate. With regard to the effect of this awareness on their behaviour, it was known that a good number of medics (30.37) per cent and non-medics (28.88) per cent had started using condoms. About 40 per cent medicos, and 45 per cent non-medicos revealed an aversion to sit near a person with AIDS thus emphasizing the stigma associated with the disease. Regarding control of AIDS, many felt there should be strict isolation of HIV positive individuals along with a ban on prostitution and homosexuality.

PIP: 104 medical students and 132 non-medical students aged 15-30 years at the University of Nigeria were surveyed August-October 1991 to learn about their level of awareness and attitudes to AIDS and the consequent effect of such awareness upon their sex behavior. Approximately 50% of the total sample was aged 20-24 years. 99% of the medical students and 96.2% of the non-medical students were aware of the existence of AIDS, but 3.8% of the non-medics believed that it had yet to reach Nigeria. 98% of medics and 97% of non-medics were aware of the carrier state of the disease, and 98% of medics and 81.8% of the non-medics knew the viral etiology of AIDS, but only 6% of non-medics and 50% of medics knew some of the exact signs and symptoms of clinical AIDS. Knowledge was adequate about the modes of HIV transmission. To protect themselves from infection, 33.37% of medics and 28.79% of non-medics reported using condoms, although 14.42% of medics and 32.58% of non-medics have not changed their sexual behavior. Those who have not taken steps to prevent HIV transmission do not perceive themselves as being at risk of infection with HIV. 40% of medics and 45% of non-medics were averse to sitting near someone with AIDS, while many felt there should be strict isolation of people with HIV along with a ban on prostitution and homosexuality.