1. Helicobacter pylori and HIV Co-infections among Patients in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Barine BM1, Ighodaro OM2, and Okonko IO1
1Medical Microbiology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2Department of Biochemistry, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
METHOD
CONCLUSION
Blood samples were collected from 100 subjects, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. Alere determined™ HIV1/2 rapid test strip and One Step Anti- HP Rapid test kit were used in a step wise order for the detection of HIV and H. pylori antibodies respectively.
Helicobacter pylori infections in HIV infected individuals have been well documented. The co-infection of HIV and H. pylori can debilitate the defence humoral immune mechanism of these patients and increase morbidity and mortality over a short period of time.
Adults with HIV infection and/or a low CD4 count would loose the tropic mechanism by which H. pylori colonization is sustained, and infection intensity which would diminish with adequate antibiotic therapy with effective reduction of gastric acidity. Therefore, this co-infection of HIV and H. pylori compromises the defence humoral immune mechanism of patients making them vulnerable to other opportunistic infections.
The study further confirms the presence of Helicobacter pylori and HIV among patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
This highlights the necessity for routine screening of blood for HIV and H. pylori to minimize their transmission among the general population.
The need for intensive health education to enlighten the public on the risk factors associated with both infections and possible control measures.
RESULTS
. This study showed that only 2.0% of the subjects were positive for anti-HIV antibodies, 44.0% were positive for anti-H. pylori antibodies and 2.0% were noted to be positive for both HIV and H. pylori.
REFERENCES
Table 1: Prevalence of H. pylori/HIV co-infection in relation to Age
Urdez H.E, Reglín N.H, Escamilla A.E, Manríquez M.A (2004). Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Patients Infected with HIV. Rev. Med. IMSS, 42 (3):
Kafil, H.S., Jahromi, F.F., Hajikhani, B., Pirayeh, S.N. and Mohammad, A. (2011). Screening for the Presence of Helicobacter pylori in Stool of HIV- Positive Patients. Journal of AIDS and HIV Research. 3(4),
Fialho, A.B.C., Braga-Neto, M.B., Guerre, E.J.C., Fialho, A.M.N., Fernandes, K.C., Sun, J.L.M., Takeda, C.F.V., Silva, C.I.S., Queiro, M.D.M and Braga, L.L.B.C. (2011). Low prevalence of H. pylori Infection in HIV-Positive Patients in the Northeast of Brazil. BMC Gastroenterology. Vol. 11(13).1–5.
Age Group (years)
No. Tested (%)
No. Positive for H. pylori/HIV co-infection (%)
0-18
39 (39.0)
0 (0.0)
19-37
61 (61.0)
2 (3.3)
Total
100(100.0)
2 (2.0)
AIM
This study was carried out to detect the presence of anti-HIV and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies as well as their co-infection among patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Health Centre and Braithwaite Memorial Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Table 2: Prevalence of H. pylori/HIV co-infection in relation to sex
Sex
No. Tested (%)
No. Positive for H. pylori/HIV Co-infection
Males
42(42.0)
1(2.4)
Females
58(58.0)
1(1.7)
Total
100(100.0)
2(2.0)