Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Fox.
We propose a step-by-step procedure for biopsy of lymph nodes in patients carrying anti HIV 3 antibodies. The procedure involves the use of a fully disposable operating set and instruments. It was used in 57 cases spanning a two years trial.
In AIDS lymph node biopsy is important both for grading and for differential diagnosis. Skin biopsy is used for identifying Kaposi's sarcoma, which is present in about a third of AIDS cases. Authors have performed 69 biopsies in local anaesthesia taking the necessary precautions as for HBsAg-positive subjects.
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To investigate the importance of malaria as a public health problem in Djibouti, we studied 144 febrile subjects living south of Djibouti-city in the agricultural area of Ambouli. All blood slides examined were negative for parasites. Antibodies against the merozoite stage of Plasmodium falciparum were investigated by an indirect immunofluorescence assay using serial serum dilutions. Only 9 sera reacted negatively at the titer of 50 (the chosen cut-off for positivity). Fourteen sera tested positive at a titer above 1000. Percentages of seropositive subjects and geometric mean titers increased with age. We conclude that inhabitants of Ambouli were heavily exposed to Plasmodium falciparum in the recent past. However, our data do not allow to ascertain if the malaria infections were contracted inside or outside of the national territory, since Djiboutians are frequent and extensive travelers.
The first evidence of HIV infection in Djibouti, East Africa, was found in the spring of 1986; the first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was diagnosed in March 1988; and, as of the end of 1991, 104 cases of AIDS had been reported. HIV-1 infection was predominant. Previously published results of four serosurveys carried out in October 87, June 1998, February 1990, and from January 1991 to April 1991 among high risk groups are presented and compared. The subjects included street girls, bar hostesses, and male STD patients. HIV-1 infection was demonstrated in 1991 among 36.0% of street girls, 15.3% of bar hostesses and 10.4% of male STD patients. Three sera were positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. The prevalence of HIV-1 infection among street girls in Djibouti did not increase between February 1990 and January 1991 while the prevalence of HIV infection among male STD patients rose almost five-fold during the same period. HIV prevalence in bar hostesses showed a steady growth. Epidemiology of HIV infection among prostitutes is complex as theses populations have a rapid turn-over. HIV prevalence data and predominance of Ethiopian nationality among prostitutes suggest importation of HIV from Ethiopia via the prostitutes and their clients. These results are reviewed and compared with data from Ethiopia and Somalia.