Prevalence of HIV infection and high-risk activities in Haiti

Article Abstract:

The seroprevalence, or presence of antibodies, to the human immunodeficiency virus (which indicates infection with the virus) was analyzed in relatives, friends and sexual partners of patients with AIDS in Haiti. Other unrelated individuals were also tested for comparison. More than 3,500 blood samples were analyzed. The highest rate of seroprevalence (55 percent) was found among heterosexual partners of the AIDS patients. Male relatives and friends of male AIDS patients had a 19 percent rate of seroprevalence. These individuals have a tendency toward multiple sexual partners and contact with prostitutes. Female relatives and friends of female AIDS patients had a 9 percent seroprevalence rate. There was considerable variation in the rate of seroprevalence in the general population of Haiti, ranging from 2 percent in rural populations, to 8 percent in urban populations, to 22 percent among tuberculosis patients (an opportunistic infection common in individuals infected with HIV). The highest seroprevalence rate was 49 percent, among prostitutes. Therefore, HIV infection is widespread in Haiti and transmission most commonly occurs through heterosexual relationships. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, Disease transmission, Haiti

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Treatment and prophylaxis of Isospora belli infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Article Abstract:

Isospora belli (I.belli) is known to be an intestinal pathogen (disease causing organism) that affects patients with AIDS. I.belli is most common in tropical and subtropical climates, and has been encountered in 15 percent of AIDS patients in Haiti. Research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of treatment using trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, followed by prophylaxis with either trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or sulfadoxine-primethamine (both antibacterial drugs) in a population of 32 Haitian AIDS patients whose illness was complicated by I.belli infection and chronic diarrhea. All were treated with oral doses of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole given four times daily. Results demonstrated that isosporiasis, an infection of the small intestine caused by a parasitic protozoan, can be effectively treated with a 10-day course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and that further occurrences of the disease can be prevented by ongoing therapy with either trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.

Evaluation, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Diarrhea, Co-trimoxazole, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Drug combination)

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A prospective study of HIV-seropositive asymptomatic women of childbearing age in a developing country

Article Abstract:

Pregnancy may have no effect on the progression of HIV infection to AIDS and subsequent death. Of 140 HIV-positive Haitian women followed for an average of four years, 44 were pregnant at the beginning of the study and 29 became pregnant during the study. None of the women received zidovudine (AZT) or any drugs to prevent opportunistic infections. Two-thirds of the pregnant women developed symptoms of HIV infections during the study, compared to 35% of the nonpregnant women. Thirty-two percent of the pregnant women developed AIDS compared to 19% of the nonpregnant women. However, only 15% of the pregnant women died from AIDS, compared to 27% of the nonpregnant women. And the pregnant women did not develop AIDS faster than the nonpregnant women. There was also no difference in the time to death between the two groups. Previous studies have suggested that pregnancy may hasten the development of AIDS.

Development and progression, Diseases, Pregnant women

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