ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS are major public health issues globally and the burden
of these diseases is particularly significant in Nigeria. This study therefore determined
the prevalence and distribution of co-infection of HIV and atypical mycobacteria among
individuals in Mercy Specialist Hospital Ahiaeke-Ndume, Abia State, Nigeria. A total of
the 115 individuals were enrolled into the study, 43.5% (50) males and 56.5% (65)
females. The serum was screened for anti-HIV antibodies using Trinity Biotech Uni-
GoldTM rapid test kit while the CD4+ cell count was determined using the flow cytometric
method. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were detected using sputum smear microscopy. The study
revealed that among the different age range between male and female individuals
investigated for HIV positive, the >50 years age group had the highest HIV prevalence
rate of 87.9%. The highest incidence of TB/HIV co-infection was seen in the 21-30 and
41-50 years age group, (83.3%) and 81.8% incidence rate each. The highest distribution
of study participants diagnosed with HIV/TB Co-infection (83.3%) was seen in the female
between 11-20 years age group. Among the 45 patients who tested positive for HIV/TB
co-infection, 44.4% had a CD4+ cell count of fewer than 200 cells/l, 37.8% had a CD4
value of 200–399 cells/l, 6.67% had a CD4 count of 400–599 cells/l, and 11.1% had a
CD4 count of less than 600 cells/l. The result indicated that HIV positive individuals have
higher risk of getting primary infection with M. tuberculosis. Therefore, better public
health education is required for the control of the HIV virus and the illness progression.
KEYWORDS:Tuberculosis, Atypical Mycobacteria, Acid Fast Bacilli, Co-infection, HIV
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