Aim: This study reports on the detection of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antibodies in HIV infected patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Screening for syphilis was carried out to determine the prevalence levels of these infections, as biological markers of risk, modes, and time functions of their transmission. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and O.B. Lulu Briggs Medical Centre, University of Port Harcourt, both in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between August 2012 and July 2015. Methods: A total of 100 HIV-infected individuals and 100 sexually-active attendees were recruited for this study. Samples of blood were collected and re-screened for the presence of HIV antibodies using the Determine HIV-1/2 (Alere), HIV ½ Stat-Pak (Chembio), and HIV-1/2/P24/O ELISA kit (Dia.Pro). The same set of samples were screened for Treponema pallidum specific antibodies using the syphilis Ultra Rapid Test Strip (ACON(R), USA) and syphilis rapid strips (Global, USA) following the respective manufacturer's instructions. Results: Among the 200 samples, serological reactivity was detected for syphilis in 3(1.5%). The incidence of syphilis was higher in males (2.0%) than in females (1.0%). Age, sex, and locality did not significantly (P>0.05) influence the rate of syphilis. Conclusion: This study further confirms the presence of syphilis among the population studied. Routine screening of Syphilis among patients is therefore advocated.

Aim: Paediatric testing for HIV in low-income and middle-income countries is poor and must be raved up as this is important for treatment and survival among this disease-prone demographic area. This study was carried out to detect the presence of HIV-1 and -2 antibodies among children receiving health care service in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It also aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of their parents on HIV/AIDS in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between August 2012 and July 2015. Methods: One hundred subjects (58 males and 42 females) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected randomly from children in the outpatient department of the hospital. HIV-1/2 was detected using Gen ScreenTM ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab Kit (BIO-RAD), an ELISA based test kit following the manufacturer's instructions. Results: The overall prevalence was found to be 5.0%. The gender-specific infection rate shows that males had a higher infection rate (5.2%) for HIV infection than their female counterparts (4.8%). The age-specific prevalence showed that the children in age groups 8-10 years had a higher prevalence (6.7%) than those 2-4 years (4.5%) and 5-7 years (4.2%). None appeared to be significantly associated (P>0.05) with HIV-1/2 antibodies prevalence among the children population. The knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of parents of the children indicate that 100.0% of them believed HIV/AIDS is real and children live with it; 62.0% have been screened for HIV before while 38.0% have not; 77.0% believe HIV cannot be cured while 19.0% believe it can; 66.0% know that it can be transmitted from mother to child whereas 16.0% believe it cannot and 70.0% confirmed they share sharp objects. Conclusion: This study however further confirmed the presence of HIV-1 and 2 antibodies among Children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. HIV can affect all age groups, both males and females. Health education campaigns and training on HIV prevention and control is recommended.