ABSTRACT

 The prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Umuahia, was investigated among individuals from age 16 years and above attending out- patient clinic in Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and other hospitals in Umuahia. A total of two hundred and fifty individuals were examined. The examinations of the samples from the patients were done according to bacteriological and hematological standards. The overall prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections was 21.6% and 14.0% respectively, the prevalence of patients with TB/HIV co-infections was 6.4%. The relatively low TB/ HIV prevalence rate observed in this study could be due to the increase in awareness of HIV control measures as well as availability of anti- retroviral drugs. Males have a higher TB/HIV prevalent rate (3.6%) than females (2.8%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections between sex. There was also no significant difference between age groups for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections but there was a significant association between age and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were significantly high among the patients with anemia (p<0.01). Also, all the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients had significantly elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR > 51mm/hr) (p<0.01).None of the patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus {HIV) infections had normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR 3 - 8mm/hr). The highest rate of infection for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was among the age group 26- 35 years. Mycobacterium tuberculosis significantly caused more anemia (PCV 20- 25%) compared to HIV infection. HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections are ravaging our population especially the young age group (26- 3 S years).> None of the patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus {HIV) infections had normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate (ESR 3 - 8mm/hr). The highest rate of infection for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was among the age group 26- 35 years. Mycobacterium tuberculosis significantly caused more anemia (PCV 20- 25%) compared to HIV infection. HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections are ravaging our population especially the young age group (26- 3 S years).