[HIV seroprevalence among tuberculosis patients in Nkembo Hospital, Libreville, Gabon. Short note].

There are nearly 31,000 HIV infected patients in Gabon. In Libreville, the capital, the prevalence is estimated at 7.7%. About 2627 tuberculosis patients, all types included, have been notified in 2001 to the World Health Organization of which 43% of smear positive new cases. The co-infection HIV-TB worsens the overall prognosis of our patients. The objective of our study is to determine the HIV seroprevalence among our tuberculosis patients. It is a cross-sectional study conducted between June 25th and August 31th 2001. All patients are new or relapse tuberculosis cases. There is no difference between the types of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was clinical, radiological and based on smear AFB sputum (according to the Ziehl Neelsen method). The patients agreed orally for HIV testing. We made two tests: a rapid one followed by Elisa if positive. 358 patients were examined among them 141 women and 217 men. The M/F sex ratio was 1.53 and the average age 32 years. Proportion of new patients reached 61%. Ninety seven per cent of patients suffered from a pulmonary tuberculosis, 58% smear positive and 26% were HIV-1 positive. According to this status, no statistical difference was notified towards sex, types of disease or patients and the smear sputum results.