Laboratory diagnosis of HIV Infections: Implications for Laboratory services in developing coutries

Since the outbreak of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and AIDS in 1981 a lot of research work has been geared towards laboratory diagnosis of this disease. To date several tests have been documented and are currently in use in several coutries. Commercial screening assays for the detection of anti HIV-1 antibodies have been for over four years

"Hepatitis ""B"" markers among children attended for elective surgery at Muhimbili Medical Centre"

"A total of 30 blood samples from children randomly selected from the ones attended for elective surgery at Muhimbili Medical Centre were analysed for markers of hepatitis ""B"" virus infection. Of these; HBSAg was demonstrated in 6 (20 percent) samples. One sample was positive for anti HBC; and 5 (16.7 percent) positive for anti-GBS; none was positive for HBeAg. This observation indicate that HBV infection in children is common in this environment. Extra care in handling blood and mucas of patients meant for surgery is highly emphasised."

Aetiology of acute viral hepatitis B virus endemic population of Dar es Salaam

Sera from 250 patients admitted to Muhimbili hospital in Dar es Salaam; Tanzania; with viral hepatitis were examined for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg); antibodies to hepatitis D (delta) virus; antibodies to hepatitis B virus core and for antibodies to hepatitis A virus; The latter two of the IgM class. Using the ELISA technique; 102 (40.8 percent) of the cases were verified as acute hepatitis B and 16 (6.4 percent) as acute hepatitis A. The aetiology of the remaining 131 (52 percent) of the patients could not be established and was due to either non-A; non-B viruses or other viruses. Only one of the HBsAg positive patients had antibodies to the hepatitis D virus. the results show the necessity of testing for markers of acute hepatitis infection (specific Igm) when acute hepatitis is diagnosed in a community where hepatitis B is endemic

Psychiatric patients presenting with HIV-infection in Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a serious threat of depopulation in several developing African countries. This study analyses 20 HIV infected patients who were admitted at Muhimbili psychiatric unit from 1st January 1988 till 30th June 1989. Psychiatric symptoms with their respective diagnoses included various physical manifestations of HIV infections are tabulated. Relevant neurological changes are discussed in light of other views