ABSTRACT
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