HIV seropositivity and tuberculosis in a large general hospital in Malawi

The incidence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Malawi is one of the highest in Central Africa. Since tuberculosis is an important initial manifestations of the disease; consecutive patients admitted to the tuberculosis (TB) wards of Zomba General Hospital; Malawi; were asked for permission to undergo a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-antibodies test. In addition; two other studies were done: from September 1986 all medical in-patients; clinically suspected for immune deficiency and from April 1988 all blood donors were tested for HIV seropositivity. Seventy-five percent of the TB patients volunteered; 32 out of 125 (26 percent ) were seropositive. In the high-risk age groups (20-40 years) this percentage rose to 32. Among the medical in-patients suspected of immune deficiency the seropositivity rose sharply from April 1987 to October 1988. Among the blood donors tested; 20 percent were seropositive

Lung cancer in Malawi: experience of bronchoscopy in Zomba General Hospital

In 1987; 11 cases of primary lung cancer were diagnosed on fibreoptic bronchoscopy and six patients were found to have clinical and radiological signs of lung malignancy. 12 of these patients were from Zomba district. This gives an estimated annual incidence of diagnosed lung cancer for Zomba of nearly 3 in 100;000. This figure is most probably an underestimate. Lung cancer was known to be rare in Malawi until 1980. If the actual incidence of this malignancy in Zomba can be applied to the rest of the country; it may be concluded that primary lung cancer is more common in Malawi than previously thought

Massive splenomegaly in Malawi

An analysis of consecutive admissions with massive splenomegaly to KCH in Lilongwe with the aim of providing simple guidelines to diagnosis and treatment of it in Malawi

Lung cancer in Malawi: experience of bronchoscopy in Zomba General Hospital

Lung cancer is though to be rare in Malawi. However; between January and June 1987; 6 patients admitted to Zomba General Hospital were found to have lung cancer on bronchoscopy. It appears that it is no longer rare and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all smokers with chronic chest symptoms

Comparison of medical admissions; Kamuzu Central Hospital; Lilongwe; Malawi; with disease patterns in Nigeria and South Africa

A presentation of an analysis of admission to the adult medical wards of KCH; Lilongwe compared to experiences in Nigeria and Lebowa; South Africa