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Distal sensory polyneuropathy is a source of morbidity in HIV infection. This study aims to determine the frequency and effect of demographic and clinical variables on distal sensory polyneuropathy, among HIV-positive participants in south-east Nigeria. The study involved highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive, patients on HAART and HIV-negative matched controls conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu south-east Nigeria. Distal sensory polyneuropathy was diagnosed with clinical evaluation and the use of Bio Thesiometer, 10 g monofilament and ankle reflex. There were 100 participants in each of the groups, comprising 109 (36.3%) men and 191 (63.7%) women, with median age of 35 years. About 42.5% (85/200) of the HIV-positive participants (37 drug naive and 48 on HAART) had distal sensory polyneuropathy. None in the control group had distal sensory polyneuropathy. Age (p = 0.02), height (p = 0.002), low haemoglobin (p = 0.03) and mean duration on HAART (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with distal sensory polyneuropathy, while gender (p = 0.497), body mass index (p = 0.657) and CD4 count (p = 0.482) did not affect distal sensory polyneuropathy. Low haemoglobin, height, and duration on HAART were independent risk factors for distal sensory polyneuropathy. Addressing correctable causes of anaemia, and alternatives to neurotoxic HAART may minimize the risk of distal sensory polyneuropathy.

Fifty-one patients were selected from 4 leprosaria in eastern Nigeria and were examined for evidence of syphilis. They were screened serologically for treponemal and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Information about their sexual behaviour and demographic data were obtained to determine the factors associated with increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD). They were compared with 115 controls. The results showed that positive treponemal tests were more common in those patients living outside the leprosaria (P < 0.05). Age and sex of the patients living inside the leprosaria were not factors associated with treponemal infections. Leprosy appeared to be a factor for T. pallidum infection when compared with the control group (P < 0.05; OR 476; CI 1.16, 19.5). One leprosy patient and one control subject had positive HIV tests and there was no significant association between leprosy and HIV infection. These findings suggest the possibility of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases amongst the leprosy patient population. The importance with respect to control measures is that leprosy patients living outside leprosaria may constitute a potential reservoir for introducing sexually transmitted diseases into the leprosaria.