Title: [Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome seen in Africa]

POPLINE Document Number: 052584

Author(s):

Kozminska-Kubarska A

Source citation:

POLSKI TYGODNIK LEKARSKI, 1987 Dec 7;42(49):1554-9.

Abstract:

The demographic data on AIDS in Africa, the possible means of tracking the disease, the most characteristic opportunistic diseases, and the frequency of the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma are detailed. According to World Health Organization data, there were 4583 AIDS patients in 41 regions of Africa on June 20, 1987. Uganda and Tanzania had the highest figures, 1183 and 1130 cases, respectively. AIDS in Africa is very unique both epidemiologically and clinically. Homosexuality is very rare, thus the ratio of AIDS-infected men and women is almost the same. Promiscuity is widely accepted. In Rwanda 27 of 33 prostitutes had lymphadenopathy and 88% had a positive reaction to the ELISA test. In Lusaka, Zambia 17.5% of patients tested in out-patients treatment centers and hospitals were AIDS-positive, mainly men aged 30-35 and women aged 20-25. In Kinshasa, Zaire 6-7% of clinically healthy citizens were AIDS-positive. In Kampala, Uganda 14.4% of blood donors were HIV-seropositive. In regions where serological analysis is not available, the clinical criteria given by WHO are decisive. In Tanzania prolonged asthenia proved to be most frequent. In AIDS patients treated in Europe often occurring opportunistic diseases are cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, candidiasis, tuberculosis, and cryptosporidiosis. However, pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii is rather rare in Africa. In Lubumbashi, Zaire the most frequent lethal diseases are cerebro-meningitis cryptococcica and diarrhea choleriformis. According to the author's observations, possible viral transmission on the mucosa occurs in 38.4% of the patients. In Zaire the patients with endemic types of Kaposi's sarcoma were seronegative, but out of the 22 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma, atypical for Africa, 20 were AIDS-positive in Zambia, and 4 of the 17 endemic cases in Uganda were also positive. The perspectives of curing AIDS patients are disappointing because of the shortage of pharmaceuticals and lack of physicians.

Keywords:

Africa
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa, North
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Uganda
AIDS
Signs and Symptoms
Bacterial and Fungal Diseases
Population At Risk
Developing Countries
Africa, Central
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa, Eastern
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Infections
Research Methodology