Seroprevalence of retroviral infection in women with different fertility statuses in Gabon, Western Equatorial Africa

Article Abstract:

Retroviruses include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, and the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), which may cause leukemia and other diseases. Infection with these viruses is increasing in populations throughout the world, particularly the poorer countries in Africa. Cultural practices in this area of the world can inhibit defining populations at high risk for these infections. Infertility rates are also very high in this part of the world, mainly due to sexually transmitted diseases. This study examined retroviral infection and fertility status in women in Gabon (Western Equatorial Africa) to see if a relation existed between infection and infertility, and if a high risk group could be identified. A random sample of women from the towns and villages of Gabon who were of reproductive age were tested for HIV and HTLV-I infections; their fertility status was also estimated. Results found that 9 of the 654 women (1.4 percent) were HIV-positive and 44 (6.8 percent) were HTLV-I positive. (That is, they had been infected with HIV and HTLV-I.) HIV infection rates did not increase with age, but they did for HTLV-I. HIV infection rates were much higher in women who had primary infertility (9.3 percent) than in those with secondary infertility (2.3 percent) or those who were fertile (0.7 percent). (Primary infertility means that a woman has never been able to conceive, whereas secondary infertility means that a woman who has been pregnant is not able to conceive again.) HTLV-I infection rates did not differ with fertility status. Only two women tested positive for both infections. These results indicate that women in Gabon who have primary infertility are a high risk group for HIV infection, but not HTLV-I infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Gabon, Infertility, Female, Female infertility, HTLV infections

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Prevalence of HIV infection among patients with leprosy in African countries and Yemen

Article Abstract:

The possible interaction between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and infection with Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy, has not been thoroughly studied. A relationship between infection with HIV and other diseases caused by the Mycobacterium family of bacteria (such as tuberculosis) has been defined. By examining the relationships between coinfections, it can be determined if coinfections occur by chance or if there are aspects of the lifestyle of patients with one disease that influence the rate of infection with the other. It is known that in the disease state of leprosy, the immune system is depressed, which may allow the growth of HIV. An epidemiological study was conducted in which the blood of 1,245 individuals who had leprosy and 5,731 individuals who did not have leprosy was examined. They were tested for the presence of antibodies against HIV, which indicates infection with HIV. The individuals were from nine geographical areas in four countries, including three countries in Africa (the Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal), and the Yemen Arab Republic. In Yemen, none of the individuals tested (including those with and without leprosy), had antibodies to HIV. In the three African countries, the rates of HIV infection among those with leprosy and those without were as follows: in the Congo, 3.8 and 5.2 percent, respectively; in Senegal, 1.3 and 0.6 percent, respectively; and in the Ivory Coast, 4.8 and 3.9 percent, respectively. No significant differences in the rate of HIV infection among those with leprosy versus those without leprosy could be found. Therefore, this study shows that leprosy does not appear to be a risk factor for HIV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, Congo (Kinshasa), Mycobacterial infections, Mycobacterium infections, Cote d'Ivoire, Leprosy, Senegal, Yemen, Ivory Coast, Congo

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A comparison of drug use and HIV infection risk behavior between injecting drug users currently in treatment, previously in treatment, and never in treatment

Article Abstract:

Intravenous drug users who have never been treated are probably not engaging in behaviors that would place them at risk of contracting HIV infection. Of 1,245 intravenous drug users in Australia, 94% of the men and 72% of the women were in a drug treatment program or had been treated in the past. Most were injecting on a regular basis. The prevalence of HIV infection was approximately the same in those who were being treated, those who had been treated and those who had never been treated. However, those who had never been treated were less likely to have used many of the drugs used by those in the other groups. They were more likely to be young, female and currently employed. They were less likely to share needles or to be intoxicated or in withdrawal when injecting. They were less likely to know other drug users, and less likely to participate in other high-risk behaviors for HIV infection.

Care and treatment, Behavior, Drug abuse treatment, Drug addicts, Drug abusers, Drug abuse

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