Detection of Opportunistic Fungal Pathogens in HIV/AIDS Patients Attending HIV Clinic, Federal Medical Centre Azare, Bauchi State Nigeria

Abstract

Opportunistic fungal infections are common in immunocompromised HIV patients, yet their impact in Bauchi, northeastern Nigeria, is understudied. The objective of this study was to detect and identify opportunistic fungal pathogens among HIV patients and to assess their risk factors. The study involved 385 HIV patients with opportunistic fungal infections symptoms, where urine, blood, and sputum samples were examined. Pathogens were isolated on potato dextrose agar, and standardized questionnaires were distributed to the patients to gather information on possible infection risk factors. Chi-square, univariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses examined relationships between the variables. The prevalence of opportunistic fungal infections among HIV patients was 25.71%. Out of the total positive urine samples, 38 (66.6%), 5 (8.7%), and 14 (24.5%) were Candida spp Cryptococcus spp, and Aspergillus spp, respectively. In blood samples, 42.9%, 16.7%, and 40.5% were positive for these fungi, but all sputum samples were negative. The presence of birds dropping and patients not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were significantly associated with opportunistic fungal infections. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HIV patients residing in areas with birds dropping are 62 times more likely to develop opportunistic fungal infections compared to those without such exposure [AOR (95% CI): 61.965 (18.258–210.306)]. HIV patients not on antiretroviral therapy (ART)  were at 98 times higher risk of developing opportunistic fungal infections than those on ART [AOR (95% CI): 98.475 (33.437–290.016)]. The study found Candida spp Cryptococcus spp, and Aspergillus spp in clinical samples, with Candida spp being the most common among immunocompromised individuals. Aspergillus spp and Cryptococcus spp, were less common. Furthermore, the study highlighted that the major infection risk factors were HIV patients not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), residing in areas with bird droppings and viral load.