Prevalence and Coinfectivity of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Syphilis Infections among HIV Seropositive Women in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Objectives: To study the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection as well as its coinfectivity with Syphilis among HIV-seropositive women(test group) and sero-negative women (control group) of child-bearing age in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Study Design: A total of 100 tests and 100 control groups attending antenatal and routine medical services were used in the study Informed consents were obtained from the participants attending antenatal and routine medical care in Bishop Shanahan Hospital, All Saints Medical Centre, Primary health Centre, Nsukka, Adonai Medical Laboratory and Nsukka District Hospital. Methods: Questionnaire was used in the first phase to obtain demographic information of the sample population. Two ml of the participants’ plasma samples were used in the phase two of the study. HIV antibodies were detected using the Determine (Alere, Japan) and the Gold (Trinity, Ireland). C. trachomatis antibodies were detected using CT IgG EIA kit (Xema, Russia) while syphilitic antibodies were detected using Syphilis Ultra Rapid Test Strip Package Insert, (Global USA). Statistical significance was determined using SPSS 16.0. Those at risk were established using attributable and relative risks. Results: A preponderance of HIV infection among individuals aged 26-40 years (63%). Single infection with C. trachomatis and Syphilis were 6% and 2% respectively for test group, and 11% and 8% respectively for control group. A high prevalence of the dual infection was observed in the test group with no statistical significance (α = 0.05). Age distribution of both infections indicated preponderance among 16-35 years age bracket. Conclusion: HIV infection with low CD4+ count and high viral load is a strong risk factor for the infections in the study area.