Proportion of Urinary Schistosomiasis among HIV-Infected Subjects in Benin City, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, and the effect of CD4(+) T cell counts and demographics on its prevalence among HIV-positive patients in Benin City, Nigeria. METHODS: Urine and blood samples were collected from 2000 HIV-positive subjects. A wet preparation of the urine deposit was examined microscopically to identify ova of Schistosoma haematobium. The blood specimens were analyzed using the flow cytometry for CD4 (+) T-lymphocyte count. RESULTS: An overall prevalence rate of 0.3% was reported. Gender and CD4 count <200 cells/µL did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, while HIV patients that were single had significantly higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among HIV patients in Benin City is low. CD4(+) count did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis.