I. M. MOSES-OTUTU

Oral candidiasis remains a significant opportunistic infection among HIV-infected individuals, often serving as an early marker of immune suppression. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and assess the antifungal susceptibility patterns of Candida species isolated from HIV-positive patients attending a secondary health facility in Benin City, Nigeria. Sterile cotton swab was used to collect oral specimens from each participant which were gram-stained for microscopic examination. Positive samples ere then cultured and subjected to sensitivity test. 250 participants were screened, 76 (30%) yielded positive for oral candidiasis. Among the sociodemographic factors analyzed, only age showed a significant association with the prevalence of oral candidiasis (p < 0.001). The highest occurrence of oral candidiasis was observed in patients above 50 years.
Antifungal susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method revealed varied resistance patterns. Amphotericin B showed the highest resistance rate (30.4%), while nystatin had the highest sensitivity rate (26%). Resistance to fluconazole, a commonly used antifungal, was also notable at 19.6%, raising concerns about self-medication and antifungal misuse in the region. Despite widespread HAART coverage, the prevalence of oral candidiasis highlights gaps in treatment adherence and monitoring. The findings emphasize the need for regular oral health assessments, targeted antifungal therapy based on susceptibility testing, and health education to improve HAART adherence and oral hygiene. These measures are crucial in reducing the burden of oral candidiasis in HIV-infected populations.

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is a common viral infection and a major source of health concern worldwide, including Nigeria, that can be responsible for a spectrum of diseases, ranging from late miscarriages and premature births, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, labor anomalies, early neonatal complications and localized skin rashes. The aim of
this research is to explore the current knowledge, awareness, and seroepidemiology of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. In this study a total of ninetysix (96) participants were recruited, consisting of ninety-one (91) number of examined samples and five (5) samples which served as controls. About four (4) milliliters of blood was obtained
from each participant using standard venipuncture technique, dispensed into sterile plain containers, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. The sera obtained were homogeneously mixed and screened for HSV-1 IgM antibodies using ELISA Diasino HSV1 Test Kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect data to assess
their knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 infection. The prevalence of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria obtained among 91 participants in this study was 7.69%. The prevalence was highest among the age range of 25 - 29 years (57.14%), followed by age range 30 - 34 years (28.57%), and then 20 - 24 years (14.29%). In this study, a total of 91
participants studied, 40 (43.96%) have previously heard and know about the HSV-1 infection, 51 (56.04%) had never heard of HSV-1 and are not aware of the risks. This study showed the need for enhanced education, screening, and management programs to reduce the burden of HSV-1 infection during pregnancy. Integrating HSV-1 education into school curriculums, conducting public awareness campaigns about HSV-1, and Make HSV-1 testing and treatment more affordable and accessible are recommended to improve knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, NigeriaHerpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is a common viral infection and a major source of health concern worldwide, including Nigeria, that can be responsible for a spectrum of diseases, ranging from late miscarriages and premature births, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, labor anomalies, early neonatal complications and localized skin rashes. The aim of
this research is to explore the current knowledge, awareness, and seroepidemiology of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. In this study a total of ninetysix (96) participants were recruited, consisting of ninety-one (91) number of examined samples and five (5) samples which served as controls. About four (4) milliliters of blood was obtained
from each participant using standard venipuncture technique, dispensed into sterile plain containers, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. The sera obtained were homogeneously mixed and screened for HSV-1 IgM antibodies using ELISA Diasino HSV1 Test Kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect data to assess
their knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 infection. The prevalence of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria obtained among 91 participants in this study was 7.69%. The prevalence was highest among the age range of 25 - 29 years (57.14%), followed by age range 30 - 34 years (28.57%), and then 20 - 24 years (14.29%). In this study, a total of 91
participants studied, 40 (43.96%) have previously heard and know about the HSV-1 infection, 51 (56.04%) had never heard of HSV-1 and are not aware of the risks. This study showed the need for enhanced education, screening, and management programs to reduce the burden of HSV-1 infection during pregnancy. Integrating HSV-1 education into school curriculums, conducting public awareness campaigns about HSV-1, and Make HSV-1 testing and treatment more affordable and accessible are recommended to improve knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria