Objective: Many subjects with dementia present primarily to neuropsychiatric practices because of behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD). This study reviewed the profile of clinically-diagnosed dementias and BPSD seen in a pioneer neuropsychiatric practice in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria over a ten year period (January1998 -December 2007). Methods: A review of hospital records of all patients with diagnoses of dementia or dementing illness using the ICD-10 criteria as well as specific diagnostic criteria for different dementia phenotypes. Associated BPSD, co-morbidities and treatments were also reviewed. Results: Out of a total of 240,294 patients seen over the study period, 108 subjects met clinical diagnostic criteria for probable dementia giving a hospital frequency of 45 per 100,000. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Vascular dementia (VaD) were the predominant phenotypes seen in 62 (57.4%) and 18 (16.7%) subjects respectively. Others include mixed dementia (4 cases), frontotemporal dementia (4 cases), Lewy body dementia (3 cases), alcohol-related dementia (3 cases), PD dementia (1 case) and unclassifiable (13 cases). Apathy, night time behaviour, aberrant motor behaviour, agitation and irritability were the most common BPSD features, while hypertension was the most common co-morbidity. Neuroleptics, anticholinergics and anti-hypertensives were most commonly prescribed. Anticholinesterase inhibitors were sparingly used. Conclusion: Probable AD was the most prevalent dementia phenotype seen in this practice. Increased awareness of dementia and better utilization of specific treatments are needed among psychiatrists and primary care practitioners in Nigeria.

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Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) infection is caused by a pox virus and the virus is probably passed on by direct skin-

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IntroductionSyphilis and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections have been found to be major public health problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical presentation of syphilis in patients infected with HIV has been described as atypical. This study was aimed to determining the seroprevalence and risk factors of syphilis among HIV infected patients in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. MethodsIt is a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 793 HIV- infected patients enrolled at the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between July and December 2010. Detailed medical history was obtained from the patients after informed consent. Screening for syphilis using qualitative rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) was performed on each of the sera/plasma collected from them. Measurement of CD4 + T lymphocyte (CD4) count was carried out by flow cytometry and Roche Ampiclor RNA PCR assay was used for the measurement of plasma HIV RNA (viral load). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.ResultsA total of 793 participants, 557 females and 236 males were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 36.99±10.3 years. The overall prevalence of syphilis among this cohort of patients was 1.51% (1.4% in females and 1.7% in males). 30–39 years age groups were mostly affected with 50.0% of the cases of syphilis. The mean age, weight, CD4 count and log viral load for the syphilis co-infected HIV patients were 38.17±8.22 years, 59.8±10.5 Kg, 275.92±282.1 cells/mm3 and 4.35±1.37 copies/ml respectively compared to 36.97±10.3 years, 56.7±15.5 kg, 262.06±256.5 cells/mm3 and 4.62±1.2 copies/ml respectively in the population without syphilis co-infection. Syphilis co-infection occurs more among females (OR 1.1, 95% CI (0.75–1.58), and the married (OR 1.1, 95% CI (0.75–1.58) without significant association. ConclusionOur study had revealed a low prevalence of syphilis in patients living with HIV/AIDS. Routine screening and counselling for syphilis should be considered for patients in AIDS care in Sub-Saharan Africa.