Polinosis en la región de Bahía Blanca / Pollinosis in the region of Bahía Blanca

El presente trabajo pretende mostrar una descripción actualizada de las polinosis en nuestra zona. Se efectuó el relevamiento profesional de las plantas conocidas y/o sospechadas como alergógenas en la región de Bahía Blanca. Se estudió el polen absoluto en el aire durante 3 años. Se realizó un calendario floral de 30 especies, controlando sus inflorescencias durante el mismo lapso. Fueron preparados extractos con los pólenes antecitadas y posteriormente testificados en cien pacientes afectados por polinosis. Ochenta y seis enfermos mostraron pruebas positivas a gramíneas compuestas y quenopodiáceas; sólo catorce fueron positivos a gramíneas únicamente. Los síntomas por estos últimos pólenes fueron particularmente frecuentes e intensos en el mes de noviembre, correspondiendose con la floración de aquella familia. Sin embargo, a pesar de las reacciones positivas - marcadas y frecuentes - para quenopodiáceas, las consultas durante el verano disminuyeron ostensiblemente. No fue demostrada una correlación clínica significativa entre la floración de las compuestas y la signosintomatología del grupo estudiado. Consideramos imprescindible el acabado conocimiento de la flora alergógena y su calendario floral para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la polinosis

HIV-1 seropositive women in the Philippines: pregnancy outcome and perinatal transmission of HIV-1.

Annual surveillance studies were initiated in 1985 to determine the incidence and prevalence of HIV-1 infection in female prostitutes registered through the Social Hygiene Clinic System of the Philippine Department of Health. All of the confirmed HIV-1 seropositive women detected in the above surveys who could be contacted were followed up about every three months to monitor their clinical and immunological status. Since we regularly interviewed and examined these HIV-1 seropositive women, we were able to note the occurrence of pregnancies following HIV diagnosis. By September 1990, 54 HIV-1 seropositive women (aged 18-35) detected from the above surveys had been interviewed and examined. Twenty-six of these HIV-1 positive women had a total of 37 pregnancies. Eight were pregnant at the time of HIV diagnosis: three term deliveries, one premature delivery (PD) at eight months, three abortions, and one lost to follow-up while still pregnant. Five of these eight had repeat pregnancies: two term deliveries, two abortions, and one lost to follow-up while pregnant. Eighteen other women became pregnant one or more times after HIV diagnosis: seven term deliveries, 13 abortions, two PDs, one ectopic pregnancy terminated, one currently pregnant, and one lost to follow-up during pregnancy. There was no clear indication from clinical examinations and CD4+ cell counts that pregnancy exacerbated the course of HIV-1 related disease in these women. One of the 12 term infants has died and eight have developed non-specific findings that are suggestive but not diagnostic of HIV infection.2+ strongly seropositive by both ELISA and Western blot assay at 16 months.

Sexual behavior of Filipino female prostitutes after diagnosis of HIV infection.

A study of female prostitutes in Manila who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody ascertained demographic and sexual behavior information following diagnosis. Counselling alone did not appear to have a major impact on the sexual behavior of the HIV positive women since most continued to work as prostitutes. Switching from high risk to low risk jobs in bars is not effective in preventing HIV positive women from engaging in prostitution. Revoking work permits is only effective if enforced with adequate follow up. Alternative job training programs may offer a viable approach.