Background: Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes and the most common cause of genital ulcer disease (GUD) worldwide. There is little information on the prevalence of HSV-2 in Nigeria. Methodology: Specimens were collected from 162 volunteers attending Jos University Teaching Hospital and tested for HSV-2 antibodies using HSV-2 Type specific IgG EIA test kit (Globalemed LLC Alexandria VA, USA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. numbr Results: Out of the 162 individuals tested, 141 (87.0%) were HSV-2 positive. Infected individuals were more likely to be male than female (92.8% versus 86.4%; P > 0.05). There were high rates of infection in all age groups, and the prevalence increased with age. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HSV-2 prevalence was not significantly associated with increasing age, sex, marital status, occupation, educational status, and number of sex partners (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results highlight the potential public health impact of HSV-2 in Nigeria where anti-HSV-2 testing is not generally performed in all populations, especially considering the risk of neonatal transmission and the attendant complications at birth.

SUMMARYObjectives: To examine sputum specimens from patients with persistent bronchopulmonary disorders for mycobacterium species and to characterize the recovered isolates with a view to determining the extent of involvement of environmental mycobacteria in pulmonary infections. Design: Analytical study using standard microscopy, culture and biochemical test for the identification of mycobacterium species. Setting: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and 2 referral hospitals: Plateau Specialist Hospital and Evangelical Churches of West Africa (ECWA) Evangel Hospital in Jos, Nigeria. Participants: Three hundred and twenty nine (329) volunteer new patients seen at the chest clinic and general out patient departments with broncho-pulmonary disorders. Patients already on anti-tuberculosis were excluded from the study. Interventions: Subjects were administered antituberculosis drugs and or other treatment regimes after proper diagnosis Results: Sixty-five (65) mycobacterial isolates were obtained and differentiated into human tubercle bacilli, bovine and or environmental (atypical) mycobacteria on the basis of nine identification tests. Of the 65 mycobacterial isolates subjected to the tests, 40 (61.54%) were identified as mycobacterium tuberculosis, 10 (15.38%) as M. bovis and 15 (23.08%) as environmental mycobacteria. Among the environmental group, 9 (20.69%) were classified as M. avium 3 (3.45%) each as M. kansasi and M. fortuitum. Conclusions:The study confirms the involvement of bovine and environmental mycobacteria in pulmonary infections. This may be related to the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS globally. The need for adequate bacteriological analysis in current-day diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in indicated.

HIV/HBV co-infection places patients at high risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality and the interaction of the two viruses can further complicate treatment. Pregnant women are especially at high risk for increased morbidity and mortality due to infection, and information about HIV/HBV co-infection in pregnant women is scanty. This study examined the occurrence of HBV antibodies in HIV-1 positive pregnant women and the relationship to Ante-retroviral therapy (ART) and other demographic characteristics. Blood samples were collected from 135 HIV pregnant positive women who were either on ART or Not, from May-June, 2008 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH). Presence of hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) antigen in serum was determined using Antec strips (Antec diagnostics UK) and their immunologic status were determined by measuring the CD4 + counts using SL_3 cyFlow counter (Partec, Germany). Sixteen 16 (11.8%) of the women examined were seropositive for Hepatitis B virus. Occupation was significantly associated with the prevalence of the hepatitis co-infection in the population examined (8.8% of house wives and 5.5% of business women had co-infection, p<0.05). The immunologic status (CD4 + of most of the HIV/HBV co-infected pregnant women (81.5%) was low (below 300 cells/mm 3) although all were on Anti retroviral therapy. The 11.8% prevalence rate reported in this study confirms the endemicity of HBV /HIV co-infection in Nigeria, and this supports the calls for screening for Hepatitis B as a routine in antenatal care.

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The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the newly admitted students of University of Jos, Jos Nigeria. A total of 300 newly admitted students were screened using rapid test (Global Rapid Diagnostic Kits USA) for the detection of HBsAg in serum samples from July 2010 to October 2010. The results obtained showed that 50(16.7%) were seropositive to HBsAg. The prevalence of HBsAg was higher in males 34(11.33%) compared to 16(5.33%) in females. Age specific prevalence was significantly higher in the age bracket 25-29, with 16(28.57%) and the lowest was found in the age bracket 15 -19 years with 12(17.39%). The most important risk factors in the acquisition of HBsAg as revealed in this study appear to be: Family History of hepatitis, 11(36.6%), those with multiple sexual partners 4(13.79%), blood transfusion 3(13.64%), and tribal mark 3(13.04%). The prevalence of HBV recorded among newly admitted students in this study is probably a reflection of the situation in Nigerian Universities. Therefore, urgent preventive measures should be taken to set up campaign against transmission of HBV in University of Jos and the general population. To lower HBV prevalence, an adequate program of active screening and vaccination for students should be implemented, followed by a universal active immunization program.