COMPARITIVE STUDY ON THE BACTERIAL QUALITIES IN TEARS BETWEEN HIV SEROPOSITIVE AND HIV SERONEGATIVE PERSONS IN BENIN CITY

Abstract

HIV(Human immunodeficiency virus) is the etiological agent that produces the immunosuppression resulting in AIDS. The bacterial microbes from tears of HIV seropositive individuals were isolated and compared with those of HIV seropositive individuals. Tear samples were collected from 50 newly diagnosed subjects and from another 50 who were screened to be seronegative, all within the age range of 16-55 years (mean age 29 ± 0.78). Bacteriological analysis included isolation, characterization and enumeration of bacterial isolates found in tears. Microbial count was determined using the Miles and Misra serial dilution technique. Results were presented in tables and graphs and revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas auruginosa in all age groups irrespective of HIV status. Statistical analysis using the unpaired t-test revealed a statistical difference between the bacterial count in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative subjects. P < 0.05.