AGT and RH blood group polymorphisms affect blood pressure and lipids in Afro-Caribbeans.

Population blood pressure variation is most likely due to multiple genes. This is likely the reason why monogenic testing with the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms on chromosome 1 (1q42-43), especially M235T, has met with negative results, especially in those of African descent. The RH blood group system, also on chromosome 1 (1 p36.2-34), has likewise been associated with blood pressure variation in African-Americans and with the rise in blood pressure with age in whites. Using a random sample of the population, we investigated the combined effects of single and combined variation of the AGTN M235T and RH genotypes on blood pressure, lipids, and lipoprotein concentrations in Afro-Caribbeans aged 18-60 years from the island nation of Dominica. In monogenic analysis, AGT M235T was not associated with blood pressure. However, it was associated with HDL (MM 42+/-23, MT 44+/-12, TT 52+/-14 (P=0.002)). RH genotype was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (P=0.006) and Apo-A (P=0.003). These effects remained after adjustment for age, gender, weight, and BMI. In the polygenetic analysis, AGT M235T and RH were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (P=0.037; interaction effects, P=0.068). The association of the AGT M235T with blood pressure across RH blood group haplotypes was then tested. Of the five RH haplotypes available for analysis, the AGT M235T was significantly associated with blood pressure within the "D" haplotype (P=0.01). The RH blood group and gender were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure and Apo-A levels (P=0.005 and 0.012, respectively). All interactions were independent of age and weight. In conclusion, we demonstrate a significant association of AGT M235T with blood pressure and cholesterol metabolism in an Afro-Caribbean population in the "genetic context" of the RH blood group system. Further investigation of these interactions may help understand the effects of genetic factors on cardiovascular risk in African-derived and other populations.

Severe refractory sarcoidosis in a 64-year-old man with persistent leucopenia.

We present a case of bone marrow granulomas in a 64-year-old West Indian man who presented with severe leucopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, elevated angiotensin converting enzyme level and reticulo-nodular shadows on chest X-ray. Bone marrow biopsy revealed numerous non-caseating epithelioid granulomas. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made and he was treated with prednisolone 60 mg daily for four weeks and the dose was subsequently reduced to 30 mg daily. Eight months follow-up revealed persistent pancytopenia. Bone marrow granulomas are rare and, when they occur, sarcoidosis is an uncommon aetiology. This case illustrates that severe leucopenia may occur in sarcoidosis and may present therapeutic difficulties.

Severe refractory sarcoidosis in a 64-year-old man with persistent leucopenia

We present a case of bone marrow granulomas in a 64-year-old West Indian man who presented with severe leucopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, elevated angiotensin converting enzyme level and reticulo-nodular shadows on chest X-ray. Bone marrow biopsy revealed numerous non-caseating epithelioid granulomas. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made and he was treated with prednisolone 60 mg daily for four weeks and the dose was subsequently reduced to 30 mg daily. Eight months follow-up revealed persistent pancytopenia. Bone marrow granulomas are rare and, when they occur, sarcoidosis is an uncommon aetiology. This case illustrates that severe leucopenia may occur in sarcoidosis and may present therapeutic difficulties

Case study: Fatal strongyloidiasis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection.

A case of fatal strongyloidiasis associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is described in a 45-year-old West Indian man living in an area endemic for both strongyloidiasis and HTLV-1 infection. Clinical presentation was typical with severe diarrhea, vomiting, and progressive weight loss. Stool microscopy revealed Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform larvae. Despite treatment with thiabendazole, the patient died. Autopsy findings revealed severe ileocolitis due to Strongyloides larvae, right subdiaphragmatic pyogenic abscess, and severe pleuritis of the right lower lobe of the lung. This case illustrates that despite effective antihelmintic therapy, mortality is still high in patients with the hyperinfective state of S. stercoralis. Thus, in patients in areas endemic for both Strongyloides infection and HTLV-1, or in immigrants from these areas, repeated stool microscopy is indicated in patients positive for HTLV-1.

An atypical aggressive Kaposi's sarcoma in a HIV-negative bisexual man.

We describe a case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a previously healthy 35-year-old bisexual West Indian man of African descent who was seronegative for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) and who presented with extensive mucocutaneous lesions, weight loss, visceral and generalized lymph node involvement, poor response to combination therapy with vinblastine and interferon alfa-2a, and a short survival of eight months from the onset of illness. This is the first documented case of Kaposi's sarcoma in Dominica. The presentation is unusual in that it is similar to the aggressive and disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma seen only in AIDS and the florid variant of the endemic disease in young men in Equatorial Africa.

An atypical aggressive Kaposi's sarcoma in a HIV-negative bisexual man

We describe a case of Kaposi's sarcoma in a previously healthy 35-year-old bisexual West Indian man of African descent who was seronegative for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) and who presented with extensive mucocutaneous lesions, weight loss, visceral and generalized lymph node involvement, poor response to combination therapy with vinblastine and interferon alfa-2a, and a short survival of eight months from the onset of illness. This is the first documented case of Kaposi's sarcoma in Dominica. The presentation is unusual in that it is similar to the aggressive and disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma seen only in AIDS and the florid variant of the endemic disease in young men in Equatorial Africa.

Intracultural diversity and the sociocultural correlates of blood pressure: a Jamaican example.

Attention to intracultural diversity in anthropological research has increased, but the implications of that diversity for research design and data analysis in medical anthropology have not proceeded as far. An examination of diversity and its use in guiding data analyses is given here, based on the study of blood pressure and its social and psychological correlates. It is argued that in the specific ethnographic setting of a small West Indian town, social class structures the diversity of the meanings of beliefs and behaviors. Diversity of meanings, in turn, alters the associations of those beliefs and behaviours with blood pressure. Data analyses guided by this orientation demonstrate that the social patterning of blood pressure varies between and within social class. Specifically, it is shown that one model of social and psychological influences on blood pressure applies only to middle-class persons in a small Jamaican community and not to lower-class persons. Medical anthropologists need to be more sensitive to the range of intracultural diversity and to how that diversity can influence the results of research.

Social factors mediating social class differences in blood pressure in a Jamaican community.

Research on the factors mediating social class differences in blood pressure was carried out in a Jamaican community. It was found in a previous report that higher social class is related to lower blood pressure for females, while for males higher social class is related to higher blood pressure. These differences are examined in greater detail here, especially in terms of the historical context of the specific community studied, which is on the fringe of the Kingston urban area, and in terms of the continuing importance of a social class system established under colonial rule. In the current study it is shown that social class differences in blood pressure for males are mediated by perceptions of social support. Social class differences in blood pressure for females are mediated by perceptions of economic stress. It is suggested that specific patterns of the growth of the city, and the historically-based social class system, have resulted in the juxtaposition of lower and middle class Jamaicans within this community, who in turn are influenced by different factors affecting blood pressure.

Comparative research in social epidemiology: measurement issues.

The aim of comparative research in social epidemiology is to determine how risk factors for disease may vary within and between sociocultural and ethnic groups and in relation to outcomes. This aim assumes that measurement equivalence within and between social groups can be established, an assumption usually left untested. A model is presented here for deriving cross-culturally valid measures that are also intraculturally sensitive. Measurements so derived can then be used to compare cross-cultural and intracultural effects in a single analytic model. This approach is illustrated by pooling data on social stressors, social supports, and blood pressure from three studies.

Persistence of high leucocyte sodium and blood pressure after pre-eclampsia.

Blood pressure and leucocyte sodium content were measured in black Jamaican patients with pre-eclampsia and pregnant controls. Similar measurements were made in a group of mothers who had pre-eclampsia 36-38 weeks previously and their controls. An increase in cell sodium accompanied the high blood pressure in patients with pre-eclampsia. There was also some elevation of both blood pressure and cell sodium in patients who had had pre-eclampsia 36-38 weeks previously. These findings suggest that disturbances of cellular electrolytes continue into the post-partum period. Changes in intracellular sodium may be important in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia as they parallel the increase in blood pressure levels.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever are not uncommon, occurring in 18 of 40 consecutive patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The clinical presentation ranges from a confusional state to hallucinations or meningism, and the diagnosis may be missed or unduly delayed unless there is a strong index of suspicion.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of typhoid fever are not uncommon, occurring in 18 of 40 consecutive patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The clinical presentation ranges from a confusional state to hallucinations or meningism, and the diagnosis may be missed or unduly delayed unless there is a strong index of suspicion

Success of didactic gastroenterology teaching for postgraduate medical residents.

Although the Doctor of Medicine programme in Internal Medicine at the U.W.I. is a structured course with several teaching formats, the optimally effective form of teaching remains unknown. An experimental didactic teaching course in Gastroenterology was preceded and followed by an examination. This was conducted to determine the effectiveness of this form of teaching. The majority of residents ranked the course favourably. The mean examination score increased by 6.4%, from 25.4% before the course to 31.8% at the end. Although the more senior residents scored higher than their juniors in the pre-test, this difference disappeared in the post-test. Structured didactic teaching requires close supervision, active participation by trainee and reinforcement for the full benefit to be attained.

Success of didactic gastroenterology teaching for postgraduate medical residents

Although the Doctor of Medicine programme in Internal Medicine at the U. W. I. is a structured course with several teaching formats, the optimally effective form of reaching remains unknown. An experimental didactic teaching course in Gastroenterology was preceded and followed by an examination. This was conducted to determine the effectiveness of this form of teaching. The maajority of residents ranked the course favourably. the mean examination score increased by 6.4%, form 25.4% before the course to 31.8% at the end. Although the more senior residents scored higher than their juniors in the pre-test, this difference disappeared in the post-test. Structured didactic teaching requirs close supervision, active participation by trainee and reinforcement for the full benefit to be attained

Blood pressure and social class in a Jamaican community.

A study of social factors and blood pressure was conducted in a Jamaican community among a sample of 199 persons ages 30 to 50. After controlling for obesity, age, and respondent tension (and other covariates), interaction effects of social class x sex for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found. Blood pressure increased with increasing social class for males and decreased with increasing social class for females.

Renal artery stenosis in a jamaican with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis

This report of a 30-year-old male Jamaican presenting with severe refractory hypertension describes the uncommon association between renal artery stenosis and neurofigromartosis, and seves to focus attention upon this potentially secondary cause of hypertension in such patients