HIV seropositivity in Nigerians with lymphoproliferative malignancies

One hundred and four Nigerians with lymphoproliferative malignancies were tested for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and 2). All the patients with high grade lymphomas in this series were seronegative for HIV-1 and 2. Only 1 of the 104 patients had antibody to HIV-1 and none had antibody to HIV-2. Although the single positive result would suggest a higher HIV-1 seropositivity rate among the patients compared with the general Nigerian population, it should be interpreted with caution. This preliminary data emphasizes the need for an urgent countrywide study of the problem among this category of patients in Nigeria in view of the low prevalence rate of HIV-1 and 2 in the country.