title: Prevalence of HIV among women with vaginal discharge in a gynecological clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vaginal discharge is a common complaint among women with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Nigeria. Given the association between STDs and HIV and the alarming rise in the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria, we performed this study to determine the prevalence of HIV in patients with vaginal discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 2000 and August 2000, women who attended the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and complained of vaginal discharge were adequately counseled for HIV serotest. High vaginal/endocervical swabs and venous blood were taken for microbiological studies and HIV serotest, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 230 women counseled for HIV serotest 140 (60.9%) consented. The mean age of the 140 was 31.1+/-6.9 years (range 18-50 years). In 31 (22.1%), Candida albicans was isolated, in 26 Gardnerella vaginalis (18.8%), in 17 Staphylococcal spp. (12.1%); and E. coli, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Neisseria gonococcus in 7.9%, 4.3%, and 1.4%, respectively. Four (2.9%) of the 140 patients were HIV seropositive, and all had Candida albicans isolated. The prevalence of HIV among patients with Candida albicans was 12.9%. Association between HIV seropositivity and Candida albicans infection is significant (X2=14.48; p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Candida albicans is a common cause of vaginal discharge among HIV-seropositive women in Lagos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere-Lagos, Nigeria. roseanorlu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anorlu
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Imosemi
authors.forename: Nkiru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Odunukwe
authors.forename: Olalekan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abudu
authors.forename: Mirable
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otuonye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D019522:Vaginal Discharge / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology