HIV seropositivity in reproductive tract infections in women attending MGM Hospital, Warangal

Year : 2016 | Volume : 4 | Issue : 3 Page : 8 - 11

S Sreedevi¹, K Jyothi², B Seetha Mahalakshmi³

^1,2,3Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal,Telangana,India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. S.Sreedevi, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal,Telangana,India.

Email: sreedevikonda143@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: There exists a synergistic relation between reproductive tract infection (RTI) and HIV infection, both of which are associated with women of reproductive age group

Aims & Objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine RTI burden by eliciting socio demographic profiles, past gynaecological history, obstetric history, and laboratory based prevalence of total RTI/ STI and HIV infection in reproductive age group women and treatment seeking behaviour.

Materials and Methods :260 patients with reproductive age group of 15-50 years with chief complaint of vaginal discharge were examined for reproductive tract infection by collecting vaginal, high vaginal, endocervical swabs. 5ml of blood collected, serum separated and tested for HIV using WHO strategy, as per national guidelines of NACO.

Results: Syphilis was the most common RTI identified in 38.3% cases followed by Chlamydiasis in 30.7% of cases followed by Gardnerella vaginalis infection (bacterial vaginosis) constituting 18.1%, Candida albicans 13.3%, finally Trichomoniasis 7.6% of cases noted. HIV seropositivity was 24.6%.

Conclusion: Prevalence of RTIs is high in women of reproductive age group making them vulnerable to acquisition of HIV infection. Early etiological diagnosis using simple conventional techniques is helpful in instituting specific treatment for complete cure of RTIs in prevention of HIV transmission.

Keywords: Reproductive tract infection, syphilis, HIV, Prevalence