The prevalence, risk factors and antifungal sensitivity pattern of oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients in Kumba District Hospital, South West Region, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: Oral candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patient and it is caused by Candida species. The low absolute CD4+T-lymphocyte count has traditionally been cited as the greatest risk factor for the development of Oral Candidiasis. The aim of this study was to identify Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of HIV/AIDS patients, to determine their in vitro antifungal susceptibility and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with oral candidiasis. METHODS: This was a hospital based cross sectional study that was carried out for a period of 3 months amongst HIV/AIDS patients in Kumba District Hospital, whether on HAART or not. Mouth swabs were collected from 378 participants using sterile cotton wool swabs and 5ml venous blood were collected for determination of CD4 cell. Candida species were isolated and identified. Antifungal sensitivity testing was performed using modified kirby-bauer susceptibility testing technique. RESULTS: Candida species were present in 42.86% of the samples and Candida albicans was the most prevalent (60.2%) amongst the six Candida isolates identified, followed by Candida glabrata (16.9%), Candida krusei (12.3%), Candida tropicalis (6.4%), Candida parapsilosis (2.3%) and Candida pseudotropicalis (1.8%). Pregnancy, oral hygiene and antibiotic usage were significantly associated with oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients (P<0.05). Oral candidiasis was mostly frequent in HIV/AIDS patients between 21-40 years. A CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/µl was a significant risk factor for acquiring oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients (P<0.001). Nystatin was the most sensitive drug (83.6%) meanwhile ketonazole was the most resistant drug (29.2%), followed by fluconazole (24.6%) to all oral Candida isolates. CONCLUSION: Oral Candida colonization occurs more frequently in HIV/AIDS patients and the is a need for the government to implement regular checks for opportunistic infections in HIV/AIDS patients, including oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients to monitor disease progression and prevent subsequent complications such as candidemia and diarrhea.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis among children within the ages 0-5 years attending the Limbe regional hospital, southwest region, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidiosis is a pathological condition caused by infection with coccidian protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is one of the most common causes of childhood diarrhea in developing countries. So far, no data has been published on its prevalence among children with diarrhea in Cameroon. This study was therefore, designed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidiosis among children within the ages 0-5 years suffering from diarrhea and being attended to at the Limbe Regional Hospital. METHODS: The study was a hospital based analytical cross-sectional study involving children within the ages 0-5 years (n = 112) hospitalized or consulted in the pediatric departments of the hospital between April 2018 and May 2018. Stool specimens were processed using the modified acid-fast staining method, and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium infection. RESULTS: A total of 112 participants were recruited out of which 67 presented with diarrhea. A high prevalence 9/67 (13.40%) of Cryptosporidium was noticed in children with diarrhea than children without diarrhea 1/45 (2.2%). There was a significant relationship (p = 0.041) between prevalence of Cryptosporidium and the presence of diarrhea in children within the ages 0-5 years in the Limbe Regional Hospital. It was realized that children from parents with primary level of education, children whose parents did not respect exclusive breastfeeding and those whose parents were giving them pipe borne water for drinking recorded a higher prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed an overall prevalence of 8.9% for Cryptosporidium among children of ages 0-5 years that attended the Limbe Regional Hospital. The prevalence among children that presented with diarrhea was 13.4%. The study clearly demonstrated that Cryptosporidium is an important protozoal etiologic agent for children with diarrhea in Limbe.