Sero-prevalence of Anti-Treponema Antibody Among HIV/AIDS Patients Accessing Anti-Retroviral Drugs at Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, has been shown to increase susceptibility to HIV/AIDS and vice versa, due to immune activation and ulcerative lesions that facilitate viral entry. This study aims to provide current data on syphilis sero-prevalence among HIV patients receiving ART at Kogi State Specialist Hospital. Methods: This study assessed syphilis prevalence among 200 HIV-positive patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) at Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria. Anti-Treponema antibodies were detected using a WHO-approved syphilis test kit. Results: Out of 200 patients tested, 9 (4.5%) were positive for syphilis antibodies. Males (9.83%) and the 50–59 age group (16.67%) showed higher prevalence, though differences in prevalence by gender and age were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Risk factors such as intravenous drug use and history of ulcer were associated with increased syphilis prevalence. Conclusions: Routine syphilis screening is recommended for HIV-positive patients to mitigate complications associated with co-infection and improve patient outcomes.