Background: It is estimated that 20% to 50% of patients with HIV have hearing loss. 70% of people living with HIV worldwide are reported to be in Sub-Saharan Africa, making this region have a probable greater disease burden. However, hearing assessment is missing as a routinely conducted investigation in some treatment guidelines. The study aimed to determine the magnitude and factors associated with sensorineural hearing loss in patients with HIV/AIDS attending a tertiary hospital in Northern Tanzania. Methods: This observational hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the HIV outpatient clinics. The study population comprised children and adults with HIV/AIDS aged between 7 and 60 years old. A structured questionnaire and medical files were used to obtain hearing history and relevant medical information. Tympanometry and pure-tone audiometry was done.   Results: This study included 152 study participants. The median age was 46 (36.0 – 53.0) years. 109 (71.7%) were females, and 43 (28.3%) were males. The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was 34.9% (53 cases). Conductive hearing loss was 7.2% (11 cases,) and mixed hearing loss was 9.2% (14 cases). There was a statistically significant association between SNHL with nadir CD4 count, current viral load, and ART use duration of more than 10 years. Conclusions: The magnitude of SNHL in patients with HIV/AIDS is alarmingly high. Hearing status should be assessed at baseline and follow-up course of HIV/AIDS management. This will also help analyse the probable impact of ART changes in the treatment guidelines.

Congenital hyporhinia, also known as partial arhinia, is a very rare congenital abnormality of nasal embryogenesis with unknown etiology. It is commonly associated with other craniofacial anomalies which are thought to be caused by an absent or rudimentary nose. A 3‐h‐old neonate presented to our facility with hypoplastic nasal pyramid, hypertelorism, microcephaly, and micrognathia, a case of congenital hyporhinia with associated anomalies is presented and the embryology and literature review are discussed.

Background: To date, HIV/AIDS remains a threat of the 21st century. The overall rate of new HIV infection continues to decline in several countries, but there is still a remarkable burden of disease seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies observed that 70% to 90% of HIV-infected patients present with ear, nose and throat symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the magnitude of ENT manifestations among HIV-infected patients attended HIV clinics at KCMC based on age, sex, and CD4 count. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at KCMC hospital involving HIV-infected patients who attended HIV clinics from February to July 2018. Convenient sampling was employed to get study participants, and 200 patients were recruited in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire from patients, and results were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Sixty-eight (34%) of 200 HIV-infected patients had ENT manifestations. The most affected age group was 0-9 years. ENT manifestations were more prevalent in females (23.5%) than in males (10.5%). Those with CD4 count less than 200cells/µL also it was a high prevalence (56.3%). Conclusion: This study observed that one-third of the studied population had ENT manifestations. All medical practitioners should be aware of ENT manifestations in HIV-infected patients in order to assure early and appropriate intervention.

Mucormycosis is an acute and aggressive fungal infection usually, but not exclusively, occurring in immunocompromised individuals. Lack of knowledge and awareness in developing countries hinders timely management. This case highlights the importance of a prompt index of suspicion for the timely and aggressive intervention of mucormycosis to the Tanzanian community. We report a case of fatal rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis in a diabetic patient presenting at a tertiary hospital in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Nasal deformity, proptosis, chemosis and left-sided hemiplegia were evident on physical examination. Nasoendoscopy revealed extensive necrosis of the nasal septum, inferior turbinate and involvement of the frontal recess. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses and head revealed necrosis and ischemic changes due to fungal invasion. The patient deceased due to intracranial complications of advanced fungal invasion. Late presentation and unacquainted with mucormycosis our patient had an unfavourable outcome. Early diagnosis, extensive surgical debridement and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment are of the essence in favour of a better prognosis.