Cytological Evaluation of Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients Living with HIV/AIDS in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Pulmonary aspergillosis is an opportunistic disease that mostly affects immuno-compromised hosts.  It is caused by a ubiquitous fungus called Aspergillus spp. The aim of this study was to carry out cytological assessment of pulmonary aspergillosis in patients living with HIV/AIDS attending Aminu Kano teaching Hospital, Kano. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study. Early morning sputum of eighty-three subjects were collected, comprising (52) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients and (31) HIV negative patients attending Direct Observed Treatment Shot (DOTS) Clinic. Three (3) smears were made from each sample and stained using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Grocott’s Methenamine Silver (GMS), and Periodic Acid Schiff’s (PAS) stains each. Out of the 52 subjects studied, 45(86%) were positive for Aspergillus spp. The study revealed 23(51%) males and 22(49%) females. This study showed that gender has no significant effect on occurrence of this disease. Age had a statistically significant effect of the prevalence of Aspergillus species among immunocompromised patients. Prevalence was higher in both female and males in the 40-50 years age group and lowest in 62 years and above. Aspergillus species is common among immunocompromised patients. GMS is the best stain in the demonstration of aspergillus spp.