ISSN 2736-1748
Case Report
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 6 (11), pp. 419-422, November, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Case Report
Case of thrush and weakness after pregnancy
Cheraghvandi A., Tafti S. F.*, Talischi F. and Tabarsi P.
Nursing Research and Pulmonary Health Care Center, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, NRITLD,
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, DarAbad, Tehran, Iran.
Accepted 02 April, 2018
Abstract
AIDS continues to be one of the infectious pandemics of our time. Pneumocystis pneumonia or today known as Pneumocystis Jeroveci is considered a deleterious infection in AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) patients. Here we present a patient with oral candidiasis, respiratory distress suspicious of PCP (Pneumocystisis carinii pneumonia), without any known risk factors for acquiring HIV who responded to PCP treatment. Since PCP is a dangerous disease, medical treatment in suspicious cases and diagnostic intervention for this AIDS defining illness continues to be prudent.
Key words: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Pneumocystisis carinii pneumonia (PCP), HIV.
Talischi F. and Tabarsi P., Cheraghvandi A., Tafti S. F.*
Page: 419 - 422
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (10), pp. 295-301, October, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Markers of inflammation and endothelial activation in black South Africans with HIV and acute coronary syndrome
A. C. Becker1*, E. Libhaber1, K. Sliwa1,2, S. Stewart1,3 and M. R. Essop1
1Division of Cardiology, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2Hatter Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
3Preventative Cardiology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Accepted 12 March, 2017
Abstract
HIV infection is associated with a pro-inflammatory and thrombophilic state but little is known about the link between inflammation and thrombosis in treatment-naïve patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Prospective single centre study was conducted in Soweto, South Africa, comparing markers of inflammation and endothelial cell activation in highly active anti- retroviral therapy-naïve HIV positive and negative patients presenting with ACS. Between March 2004 and February 2008, 30 consecutive black South African HIV patients with ACS were compared to 30 black HIV negative patients with ACS. The HIV patients were younger (43 ± 7 vs. 54 ± 13, p = 0.004) and besides smoking (73% vs. 33%, p = 0.002) and lower HDL levels (0.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.001) had fewer risk factors than the control group. At baseline, HIV patients had higher levels of tumour necrosis factor- [5.8 (1.7 - 15.0) vs. 0.19 (0.19 - 19.8) ng/ml, p = 0.0004] and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [263.3 (0.38 - 778.5) vs. 151.3 (80.6- 416.3) ng/ml, p = 0.007] compared to HIV negative patients as well as higher levels of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 at six months [70 (30 -130) vs. 50 (30 - 90) ng/L, p = 0.004]. Treatment-naïve black South African patients with HIV and ACS have evidence of a pro-inflammatory state and greater degree of endothelial cell activation compared to HIV negative patients, both of which may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of ACS in this otherwise low risk population. MCP-1 may play an important role in HIV-associated coronary artery disease.
Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis.
E. Libhaber, K. Sliwa, A. C. Becker*, S. Stewart and M. R. Essop
Page: 295 - 301
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 228-232, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the prevalence of epilepsy among Sudanese AIDS patients and the underlying causes and types of epilepsy
Abbashar Hussein*, Amira Sidig and Mohmad Malk Aldar
Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P. O. Box 102 Khartoum, Sudan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2499123456722.
Accepted 22 April, 2009
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of epilepsy among Sudanese AIDS patients and to study the underlying causes and types of epilepsy. About 700 AIDS patients were included in this cross sectional hospital based study. Almost 5.71% of the patients had epilepsy and 50% of them had generalized convulsion. Encephalitis was found to be the commonest cause of epilepsy followed by meningitis, brain abscess, CNS lymphoma and toxoplasmosis. The EEGs showed abnormal discharge in 28 patients (70%). AIDS is a great mimicker. It can be present in almost any neurological manifestation. Epilepsy is not an uncommon neurological manifestation associated with AIDS.
Key words: AIDS, epilepsy, Sudanese patients.
Amira Sidig and Mohmad Malk Aldar, Abbashar Hussein*
Page: 228 - 232
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 240-249, March, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Piloting second generation HIV surveillance in Berlin, Germany, 2005 - 2007: Risk profile of recently acquired HIV infections in MSM
Jörg Bätzing-Feigenbaum1,3, Stephan Loschen2, Silvia Gohlke-Micknis1, Ruth Zimmermann1*, Claudia Kücherer2 and Osamah Hamouda1
1HIV/AIDS and STI Unit, Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
2HIV Variability and Molecular Virology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
3Infectious Disease Protection and Epidemiology Unit, State Office for Health and Social Welfare, Land of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
*Corresponding author. E-Mail: [email protected].
Accepted 17 May, 2009
Abstract
Men having sex with men (MSM) are by far the transmission-risk-category most affected by HIV in Berlin and were investigated in this pilot-study with the aim to identify detailed risk- and prevention-behaviours in recently infected persons. From November, 2005 - February, 2007, venous blood samples were taken from patients in Berlin aged 18 years within 3 months after diagnosis of HIV-infection and tested with BED IgG-capture-ELISA (BED-CEIA) to differentiate between longstanding and recent HIV-infections dating back no longer than 140 days from blood sampling. Data on knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practices (“KABP-survey”) relating to HIV/AIDS, were collected anonymously by structured patients’ questionnaires, accomplished by demographic data via additional questionnaires filled by the physicians. SPSS 15.0 was used for data analysis. This sub-analysis includes 37 MSM with confirmed recently acquired HIV infection. Mean age was 34 years (20 - 53). Good knowledge on HIV/AIDS in Germany and transmission risks was present in most cases; nevertheless unprotected sexual contacts were indicated by 90% of recently HIV-infected MSM (independent from type of intercourse and partners’ sero -status) with 64% reporting unprotected anal intercourse. Unprotected anal intercourse with a person they knew to be infected with HIV was stated by 19% of cases. In 5% drugs/alcohol and in 48% (n = 18/37) uncertain HIV-related knowledge, hope and beliefs about transmission risks were stated as reasons for unprotected sex. Almost half of recently infected MSM in this pilot -study were infected because hope and beliefs on HIV- transmission-risks had guided their personal decisions on HIV-prevention efforts. Limitations due to a small study population, lack of HIV-negative-tested controls and selection bias should be optimised in future studies; however, the findings have strong implications for amending prevention messages in Germany addressing MSM.
Key words: KABP-survey, HIV, BED-CEIA, second-generation HIV surveillance, recency of infection.
Stephan Loschen, Jörg Bätzing-Feigenbaum, Claudia Kücherer and Osamah Hamouda, Silvia Gohlke-Micknis, Ruth Zimmermann*
Page: 240 - 249
Research Article
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (11), pp. 302-306, November, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Profile of speech impairments in HIV- infected individuals: A preliminary study
Mili Mary Mathew* and S. Jayashree Bhat
Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College (Unit of Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka- 575001, India.
Accepted 03 August, 2017
Abstract
Infection due to Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause damage to both the central and peripheral nervous systems and result in disorders of communication. Progressive decline in speech behaviours in HIV infected individuals have been documented in Western literature (Flower and Sooy, 1987). This study aims to create a database of speech impairments seen in individuals with HIV infection to reflect the need for assessment and management of communication skills. 15 males with HIV infection between the age ranges of 18 - 40 years were included in the study. The deviant speech characteristics was profiled on the parameters in Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment. 93.3% of the participants demonstrated speech impairments which ranged across the participants. Most affected were parameters of tongue and laryngeal functions followed by reflex, respiration, lip functions and intelligibility parameters. Jaw and soft palate functions were not affected in any of the participants. It can be concluded that HIV infection results in speech impairments in the affected individuals. But this conclusion has to be generalized with caution since only 15 participants were involved in this study. Further research considering the effects of medication, opportunistic infections and disease duration is suggested.
Key words: HIV, speech disorders.
S. Jayashree Bhat, Mili Mary Mathew*
Page: 302 - 306
Review
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2326-2691 Vol. 5 (7), pp. 276-281, July, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Child participation in advocacy: A recommended approach for effective HIV prevention among adolescents in Malawi
Chrispin Dambula
School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 N. Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101-1780, USA.
Accepted 17 June, 2017
Abstract
Why are adolescents more vulnerable to HIV infection than any other age group in Malawi? This question requires serious attention considering that HIV awareness is at 99 percent, suggesting that almost every Malawians is aware of the pandemic, yet infection rate among adolescents remains unabated. In this paper, I analyze current approaches to HIV advocacy in Malawi to explain why adolescents are more vulnerable than other age groups. Noting that HIV advocacy in Malawi is mostly left to experts and professionals, I argue that the country cannot reduce HIV infection among adolescents when her strategic plan is not inclusive of children as carriers of HIV messages. I therefore, recommend approaches that involve children to actively participate in HIV advocacy in order to be more effective in reducing HIV among adolescents in Malawi.
Key words: Adolescents, advocacy, child participation, HIV, Malawi, peer influence.
Chrispin Dambula
Page: 276 - 281