Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum Infection in Mothers and Their Babies at Delivery in Jos.

Abstract

Two hundred serum samples were collected from Mothers and babies at delivery and screened for both human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum Infections. The tests used are the Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) for HiV and'the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA) test for T. pallidum. Of the 100 mothers screened 5 (5%) showed RPR positivity while 2 (2%) were TPHA positive. 2 (2%) of the babies were RPR seropositive but none was TPHA positive. Both of the RPR positive patients had no clinical signs and symptoms of the disease (syphilis). Five mothers were reacitve for HIV while four of the babies belonging to such mothers were also reactive. Using the WB technique, 4 mothers had confirmed infection while 2 babies out of the 4 belonging to the WB positive mothers were also WB positive. However, one of the babies died before Confirmation was made. The results emphasise the need for medical workers to be cautious when handling patients in our hospitals and clinics. It also shows the need to screen all women attending antenatal clinics. Finally, the results show the need to step up the campaign against HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases in Nigeria.