A comparative study of smear positive tuberculosis between patients with and without HIV/AIDS in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. With the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spreading unabated, tuberculosis notification and notification rates are increasing at an alarming speed in various parts of the continent. Efforts to control the disease are failing in regions where HIV infection is common particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, partly because advanced HIV disease foils the standard tests used to diagnose TB.

Methods: A total 200 patients who were diagnosed as having clinical PTB were screened for TB using the standard ZN staining technique. One hundred had HIV while the second hundred were HIV negative. For HIV diagnosis, patients were screened and confirmed using the recommended National Algorithm.

Results: A total of 200 results were analyzed. One hundred are those with confirmed HIV infection and another 100 were non-HIV infected individuals. Both groups were screened for PTB using the same protocols and technique. Eight patients were found to be SS+ in the HIV infected group while 9 were SS+ in the non-HIV infected group.

Discussion: There is need for our laboratory technicians to improve in the quality of ZN staining technique as excess transmission of tubercle bacilli in the community caused by increased number of HIV associated tuberculosis cases in Kano and Nigeria in general will be contained only to the extent that patients with infectious tuberculosis are swiftly identified and properly treated and cured.