[Descriptive study of COVID-19 cases in the third Municipality of Bamako, from March 26 to August 27, 2020]. / Etude descriptive des cas de COVID-19 en Commune III de Bamako du 26 Mars au 27 Aout 2020.

INTRODUCTION: A public health emergency of international concern, COVID-19 is an acute respiratory disease responsible in eight months of approximately 843,158 deaths worldwide, including 29,425 deaths in Africa. The objective was to describe the COVID-19 cases in the health district of Commune III of Bamako. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of COVID-19 surveillance data from March 26 to August 27, 2020. Our variables were extracted from the surveillance database and analyzed on Epi-Info 7.2. Frequencies, rates and proportions were calculated. RESULTS: A positivity rate of 14.86% identified 126 confirmed cases out of an 848 notified suspect. The median age of confirmed cases was 34 years with a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 93 years. The sex ratio was 2.7 males to females. Civil servants accounted for 32.54% of the positive cases. All the health subdistricts have recorded positive cases. The lethality was 7.94% affecting those over 65 years old. Among asymptomatic people 10.75% were confirmed positive for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that young males were more likely to be infected with COVID-19. We recommend systematic screening of all contacts and involvement of the community in surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: Urgence de santé publique de portée internationale, la COVID-19 est une maladie respiratoire aiguë responsable en huit mois d'environ 843 158 décès dans le monde dont 29 425 décès en Afrique. L'objectif était de décrire les cas de la COVID-19 en Commune III de Bamako. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive des données de surveillance de la COVID-19 du 26 Mars au 27 Août 2020. Nos variables ont été extraites de la base de données de surveillance et analysées sur Epi-Info 7.2. Les fréquences, taux et proportions ont été calculés. RÉSULTATS: Un taux de positivité de 14,86% a permis d'identifier 126 cas confirmés sur un 848 suspect notifié. L'âge médian des cas confirmés était de 34 ans avec un minimum de 8 mois et un maximum de 93 ans. Le sex-ratio était de 2,7 en faveur des hommes. Les fonctionnaires représentaient 32,54% des positifs. Toutes les aires de santé ont enregistré des cas confirmés. La létalité était de 7,94% affectant les plus de 65 ans. Parmi les personnes asymptomatiques 10,75% ont été confirmés positives à la COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Notre étude suggère que les jeunes de sexe masculin étaient plus susceptibles d'être infectés par la COVID-19. Nous recommandons le dépistage systématique de tous les contacts et une implication de la communauté dans la surveillance.

Lower sulfurtransferase detoxification rates of cyanide in konzo-A tropical spastic paralysis linked to cassava cyanogenic poisoning.

Using a matched case-control design, we sought to determine whether the odds of konzo, a distinct spastic paraparesis associated with food (cassava) cyanogenic exposure in the tropics, were associated with lower cyanide detoxification rates (CDR) and malnutrition. Children with konzo (N=122, 5-17 years of age) were age- and sex-matched with presumably healthy controls (N=87) and assessed for motor and cognition performances, cyanogenic exposure, nutritional status, and cyanide detoxification rates (CDR). Cyanogenic exposure was ascertained by thiocyanate (SCN) concentrations in plasma (P-SCN) and urine (U-SCN). Children with a height-for-age z-score (HAZNCHS)<-2 were classified as nutritionally stunted. CDR was measured as time required to convert cyanide to SCN, and expressed as ms/µmol SCN/mg protein or as mmolSCN/ml plasma/min. Mean (SD) U-SCN in children with konzo was 521.9 (353.6) µmol/l and was, significantly higher than 384.6 (223.7) µmol/l in those without konzo. Conditional regression analysis of data for age- and sex- matched case-control pairs showed that konzo was associated with stunting (OR: 5.8; 95% CI: 2.7-12.8; p<0.01; N=83 paired groups) and higher U-SCN (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.02-1.20 per 50-µmol increase in U-SCN; p=0.02; N=47 paired groups). After adjusting for stunting and U-SCN, the odds of developing konzo was reduced by 63% (95% CI: 11-85%, p=0.03; N=41 paired groups) for each 5mmol SCN/(ml plasma/min)-increase in CDR. Linear regression analysis indicated a significant association between BOT-2 or KABC-II scores and both the HAZNCHS z-score and the U-SCN concentration, but not the CDR. Our findings provide evidence in support of interventions to remove cyanogenic compounds from cassava prior to human consumption or, peharps, enhance the detoxification of cyanide in those relying on the cassava as the main source of food.

Lower serum levels of selenium, copper, and zinc are related to neuromotor impairments in children with konzo.

We assessed the relationship between key trace elements and neurocognitive and motor impairments observed in konzo, a motor neuron disease associated with cassava cyanogenic exposure in nutritionally challenged African children. Serum concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, selenium, and neurotoxic lead, mercury, manganese, cadmium, and cobalt were measured in 123 konzo children (mean age 8.53 years) and 87 non-konzo children (mean age 9.07 years) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Concentrations of trace elements were compared and related to performance scores on the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (KABC-II) for cognition and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test, 2nd edition (BOT-2) for motor proficiency. Children with konzo had low levels of selenium, copper, and zinc relative to controls. Selenium concentration significantly correlated with serum 8,12-iso-iPF2α-VI isoprostane (Spearman r=0.75, p<0.01) and BOT-2 scores (r=0.31, p=0.00) in children with konzo. Elemental deficiency was not associated with poor cognition. Mean (SD) urinary level of thiocyanate was 388.03 (221.75) µmol/l in non-konzo compared to 518.59 (354.19) µmol/l in konzo children (p<0.01). Motor deficits associated with konzo may possibly be driven by the combined effects of cyanide toxicity and Se deficiency on prooxidant mechanisms. Strategies to prevent konzo may include dietary supplementation with trace elements, preferentially, those with antioxidant and cyanide-scavenging properties.

Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus in transfused children in Kinshasa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and associated factors among transfused children. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study of transfused children aged between 18 mo and 13 y old was conducted in 4 hospitals in Kinshasa. Blood samples were collected for the detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HCV, HIV 1 and 2. RESULTS: A total of 177 (47.7 %) boys and 194 (52.3 %) girls participated in the study. The median age was 59.5 mo (Interquartile range IQR = 60.6). The prevalence rates of HCV, HBV, and HIV infection were 13.5 %, 1.6 %, and 1.3 %, respectively. Frequency of transfusion events were significantly associated with HCV (p < 0.001) and HIV (p < 0.05) infections. CONCLUSIONS: HCV infection was by far more frequently identified than HBV and HIV infections among Congolese transfused children. Frequency of transfusion events was the only significant risk factor associated with HCV and HIV infections but not for HBV.

Caries experience and related factors in 4-6 year-olds attending dental clinics in Kinshasa, DR of Congo.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and severity of caries experience (CE) in 4-6 year-olds attending dental clinics in Kinshasa, DR Congo, and to explore possible associations with reported behavioural and socio-demographic factors. METHODS: A convenience sample of children attending five dental clinics was recruited. Carers, usually parents, completed a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic information, oral health and tobacco consumption profile of parents, socio-economic family situation and oral health habits of the child. Children were clinically examined using WHO criteria by trained dentist-examiners. To investigate factors associated with CE, multivariate logistic regression was applied with the significance level set at 0.05. RESULTS: Some 158 children with mean age 5.3 (sd 0.7) years were recruited; 80% presented with clinical signs of CE. Between-meal snacking and drinking was reported by 78% and 65%; 35% had sugar-containing drinks. Most (81%) brushed once a day and 82% brushed in the morning. Prevalence of CE was associated with gender, frequency of meals, consumption of drinks during meals and consumption of sugar-containing drinks; severity with type of infant feeding and sugar-content of the last meal at night. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that both prevalence and severity of caries experience were associated with reported dietary habits, confirming the importance of preventive interventions dealing with these habits in young children living in a developing country.

Prevalence du cancer en Republique Democratique du Congo : donnees anatomopathologiques recueillies aux Cliniques Universitaires et a l'Hopital General de Reference de Kinshasa

Introduction. Les maladies chroniques non transmissibles; parmi lesquelles les cancers; constituent un poids de morbimortalite de plus en plus important dans les pays en voie de developpement. En Republique Democratique du Congo; l'absence de registre national de cancer est un handicap serieux a l'evaluation epidemioclinique reelle de ce groupe d'affections. C'est pour pallier a cette carence que ce travail a ete initie ; l'objectif etant de decrire les cancers les plus frequents sur base des donnees anatomopathologiques rapportees dans deux institutions hospitalieres de Kinshasa.Methodologie. Les registres et les protocoles de biopsies ont ete consultes aupres des laboratoires d'anatomie pathologique des Cliniques Universitaires; ainsi que de l'hopital General de Reference de Kinshasa. L'enquete a couvert la periode de 1969 a 2008 (40 ans). Resultats. Au total; 4137 cas de cancers ont ete repertories. L'age moyen des patients etait de 42;2 ans; plus jeune pour le sexe feminin; qui etait egalement plus affecte. Dans ce dernier groupe; les cancers du col uterin (27;7); du sein (13;7); des organes lymphoides (10); et de la peau (8;6); etaient les plus frequents. Parmi les sujets du sexe masculin : les cancers des organes lymphoides (15;9); le Sarcome de Kaposi (14;5); le cancer de la prostate (14); le cancer du foie (12;6); et enfin celui de la peau (11;7); ont ete les plus rapportes. Conclusion. Cette enquete; comme les donnees d'autres pays africains; revele la preponderance du sexe feminin et la survenue precoce des cancers dans ce groupe. Le cancer du col uterin et celui du sein sont les formes les plus frequentes; tandis que le profil des cancers masculins retient les organes lymphoides et la prostate en tete de liste. La creation et la tenue d'un registre national de cancer s'imposent comme un prealable a toute definition de strategie adequate de prevention du cancer dans notre pays

Convulsions associees a la fievre et developpement psychomoteur en soins de sante primaires a Kinshasa

Une etude prospective menee pendant 3 mois dans 2 centres des soins de sante primaires a Kinshasa; a permis de decrire les caracteristiques semiologiques des Convulsions Febriles (CF) presentees par 148 patients; ages de 5 a 71 mois. Les CF ont ete decrites en fonction de leur distribution; leur duree et leur repetition eventuelle. Les caracteres lateralises; prolonges et repetitifs etaient consideres comme des facteurs de gravite. Le Quotient de Developpement psychomoteur (QDP) des patients a ete evalue sur base de l'echelle de Gensini et Gavito; reprenant les domaines de lamotricite; de la communication; et de l'adaptation. Le QDP etait bas chez 6;7des patients. 5avaient un retard dans le domaine de la motricite; 3;4dans le domaine de la communication; et 2;7dans celui de l'adaptation. Nous n'avons pas note de lien significatif entre le QDP global; et les facteurs de gravite des CF. Toutefois; tous les enfants ayant un retard dans le domaine de la motricite; avaient presente des convulsions repetees avant leur admission: (p=0;02 [OR=1;096 (IC 95) : 1;060 -1;128)]. La motricite etait l'element le plus significativement atteint chez les malades ayant presente les CF. Cette observation merite d'etre validee par des etudes cas temoins; incluant un plus grand nombre de sujets

Correlates of serum lipids and lipoproteins in Congolese patients with arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and the correlates of serum lipids and lipoproteins among Congolese subjects with and without arterial hypertension. METHODS: One hundred hypertensive patients attending the outpatient clinics at the University of Kinshasa Hospital, and 100 age- and sex-matched controls recruited among hospital personnel or blood donors entered the case-control study. Their blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), plasma fibrinogen (only in patients) and fasting glucose, serum uric acid, creatinine and creatinine clearance (CrCl) were compared using the Student's t-test or Chi-square test as appropriate. Associations between continuous variables were assessed with Pearson correlation coefficients, and correlates of lipids and lipoproteins were determined using multiple linear-regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, hypertensive patients had greater BMI (p or= 6.20 mmol/l. In hypertensive patients, TC (r = 0.24; p < 0.01) and LDL-C (r = 0.20; p < 0.05) were positively correlated to plasma fibrinogen. A positive correlation was also observed between TC and LDL-C (r = 0.91; p < 0.001), HDL-C and CrCl (r = 0.28; p < 0.001), and TG and glucose (r = 0.24; p < 0.01), whereas TG were negatively correlated to HDL-C (r = -0.38; p < 0.001). In multiple linear-regression analysis, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and age accounted for 87% (R2) of variation in TC levels; plasma glucose and HDL-C for 19% (R2) of variation in TG levels; and TG and CrCl for only 17% (R2) of variation in HDL-C levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that dyslipidaemia affects a substantial proportion of healthy and hypertensive Congolese subjects. Furthermore, hypertension is associated with a cluster of risk factors characteristic of the metabolic syndrome, of which overweight/central obesity could be the cornerstone. Management of arterial hypertension should therefore focus both on lowering high blood pressure and correcting associated lipid disorders.

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder among school children in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and determinants of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among school children in Kinshasa, an African urban setting. METHODS: The 18-items of the Disruptive Behaviour Disorder rating scale (DBD), which is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders 4(th) edition (DSM-IV), were used to investigate the presence of ADHD symptoms. Parents interviews, using a questionnaire specially designed for the study, were performed to identify socio-demographic characteristics. All children were subject to a clinical examination. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of DSM-IV ADHD symptoms was 6%. Those with family health problems, younger age at start of primary school, good nutritional status and poor school performance more often had DSM-IV ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: ADHD symptoms are as common among school children in Kinshasa as elsewhere. The socio-demographic factors described as risk factors for ADHD in high-income countries were not identified in this study.

[HIV-1 cognitive and motor syndrome]. / Syndrome cognitif et moteur associé au VIH-1.

The central nervous system (CNS) is often affected by HIV-1 infection. Over 40% of AIDS cases present with neurological symptoms and CNS lesion are detected by anatomical and pathological studies in 80 to 90% of AIDS cases. There may be infections and tumors secondary to the immunodeficiency and pathologies may occur directly due to the neurotropism of the virus. Neurological problems associated with HIV-infection include encephalopathies, myelopathies, neuropathies and myopathies. HIV-1-induced encephalopathy may develop at any stages of HIV-1 infection and affects all risk groups equally. Its frequency worldwide is between 4 and 65% among individuals seropositive for HIV-1. The frequencies reported differ between studies due to differences in sampling methods, geographical factors, diagnostic criteria and investigative methods used. The pathogenesis of HIV-1-associated encephalopathy is not understood, but there are several hypotheses. The involvement of HIV-1 infected macrophages and microglial cells has been demonstrated. Indirect mechanisms such as release of lymphokines (tumor necrosis factor-TNF alpha- and interleukin-1) and neurotoxicity of the HIV envelope protein, gp 120, have also been suggested. This disorder is known as HIV-1-associated cognitive and motor syndrome. It presents clinically as a form of sub-cortical dementia with cognitive problems, motor deficits and behavioral disorders depending on the type and stage of HIV infection. The diagnosis can only be made after all other infections and tumors common in HIV-1 patients have been ruled out by appropriate investigations such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis, cerebral scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Electrophysiological studies, such as evoked responses and electroencephalograms, are particularly useful in its diagnosis. Anatomical examination shows diffuse paleness of the white matter, multi-nucleated giant cells and microglial nodes. Neuropsychological studies could be of value in diagnosis and in assessing the response to anti-retroviral treatment. There is currently no specific therapy for HIV-1-associated cognitive and motor syndrome. The use of new nucleoside analogue drugs in combination with existing drugs may provide new approaches to managing these patients.

Essai d'exploration neuropsychologique par le Minimental test et ses subtests dans les infections du systeme nerveux central

Une exploration neuropsychologique a ete faite chez 60 sujets dont 30 malades et 30 autres presumes sains apparies selon l'age; le sexe et le niveau d'instruction. Les performances moyennes des sujets ont ete comparees par analyse de variance et la prediction diagnostique etudiee par la fonction de regression logistique

Hepatitis B virus activation among central Africans infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1: pre-s2 antigen is predominantly expressed in HIV infection.

To evaluate the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 on the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, sera from Central Africans with and without antibodies to HIV were examined for HBV markers of ongoing replication, recovery from infection, and reactivation or reinfection. The prevalence of HBV infection and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was similar for HIV-positive and -negative persons. AIDS patients were more likely to be HBsAg positive and have markers of viral replication. Unlike pre-surface (pre-s) 1 antigen (Ag), which did not differ significantly with respect to HIV infection, pre-s2Ag was more common among HIV-positive persons than among HIV-negative ones and was more common among AIDS patients than among HIV-positive asymptomatic carriers. HIV-positive persons had more markers consistent with HBV reactivation and lower levels of antibody to HBsAg.

Humoral aspects of anti-HIV immune responses in Zairians with AIDS: lower antigenemia does not correlate with immune complex levels.

Serological patterns of anti-HIV immune responses of 150 HIV-infected (65 asymptomatic, 19 ARC, 66 AIDS) and 150 HIV-negative healthy Zairians were studied to determine the clinical significance of p24 antigen, and anti-p24 antibody, particularly in relation to p24 relative binding capacity (RBC) and circulating immune complexes (CICs). Levels of p24 antigen, anti-p24 antibody titers, and p24 RBC were evaluated by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Circulating immune complexes were measured by C1q-binding assay. Human immunodeficiency virus CICs were detected by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation followed by 6 M guanidinium lysis, ELISA, Western blot, or radioimmunoprecipitation of the lysed precipitates. Immunoglobulin levels for IgG, IgM, IgA, and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) were quantified in all study participants by laser nephelometry and ELISA. All immunoglobulin levels were significantly elevated among HIV-positive vs. HIV-negative individuals. Immunoglobulin levels correlated well with disease progression among infected patients. Similarly, beta 2-M levels were significantly higher in HIV-positive vs. HIV-negative individuals and correlated well with progression to AIDS. Free p24 antigen in serum was detected in 1.33% of all patients. However, p24 reactivity increased to 6% (9 of 150 cases) after PEG precipitation and CIC dissociation. There was a good correlation between p24 reactivity and disease development. High titers of anti-p24 antibody (> 44,100) occurred in at least 80% of all patients, and did not correlate with disease stage. Similarly, more than 60% of patients had high levels of p24 RBC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Le traitement des crises epileptiques dans les tableaux neurologiques aigus

Les crises epileptiques sont frequentes dans les tableaux neurologiques aigus. Leur traitement dans ce contexte pathologique est sujet a caution et releve de la reanimation cerebrale qui n'est pas a la portee de tous les patients. Un prerequis de connaissance sur la physiopathologie de l'oedeme cerebral et le traitement de l'etat de mal epileptique peut permettre au praticien d'eviter de tomber facilement dans l'abus therapeutique

Neurological complications of HIV-1-seropositive internal medicine inpatients in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Because little was known about the prevalence of neurological complications of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in Africa, we conducted a cross-sectional study among consecutive admissions to the internal medicine wards of Mama Yemo Hospital in Kinshasa, Zaire. Of the 196 patients studied, 104 (53%) were HIV-1 seropositive, of whom 50 (48%) had stage 3 and 49 (47%) had stage 4 HIV-1 infection according to the provisional WHO staging criteria for HIV infection. Neuropsychiatric abnormalities were present in 43 (41%) of 104 HIV-1-seropositive patients. Of the HIV-1-seropositive patients, 9 (8.7%; 95% confidence interval, 4-16%) were diagnosed as having possible HIV-1-associated dementia complex, 1 (1%) as having possible HIV-1 myelopathy, and 3 (2.7%) as having possible HIV-1-associated minor cognitive/motor disorder. Definitive diagnoses could not be made because there were no facilities for neuroimaging and neuropathology. Meningitis caused by cryptococcus was diagnosed in six (5.6%) and by Mycobacterium avium in two (2%) of the HIV-1 seropositive patients. Acute onset hemiplegia, believed to be due to stroke, was present in four (4%) of the HIV-1-seropositive patients. The prevalence of other central nervous system opportunistic infections and mass lesions, especially toxoplasmic encephalitis, could not be assessed. In this population of Zairian inpatients, the prevalence of neurological complications of HIV-1 infection was similar to that observed in industrialized countries among patients with advanced HIV disease.

HIV-1 seropositivity and mortality at University Hospital, Kinshasa, Zaire, 1987.

This study examines the impact of HIV-1 infection and AIDS on 500 of 563 consecutive deaths at University Hospital, Kinshasa, Zaire, in late 1987. HIV-1 seroprevalence was 31% for the entire population and 43% for the 247 adults. Forty-two (38%) of the 110 HIV-1-seropositive adult deaths occurred in those between the ages of 25 and 34 years. The mean age of death for seropositives was 36 years, 7.5 years less than seronegative deaths. AIDS and AIDS-associated diagnoses such as cryptococcal meningitis, chronic diarrhea and pneumonia accounted for 42% of all adult deaths and 74% of all HIV-1-seropositive adult deaths. Seventeen per cent of 50 sera initially negative by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were ultimately found to be HIV-1-seropositive by Western blot or p24 antigen testing. The data indicate that HIV-1 infection and AIDS contribute significantly to adult mortality in Kinshasa population and that sensitivity of ELISA tests decreases in terminal HIV-1 infection.

Prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis, and oral hygiene in hospitalized AIDS cases in Kinshasa, Zaire.

The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease in African HIV-infected patients has not previously been assessed, in spite of the high prevalence of HIV-infection in some countries and the fact that atypical gingivitis may represent an early sign of HIV infection. In the present study 83 AIDS patients hospitalized in Kinshasa, Zaire, were assessed for dental caries, gingivitis and oral hygiene status. The prevalence of dental caries was lower among AIDS patients than among healthy controls previously examined in the same area. The prevalence of gingivitis was higher in AIDS than in controls in spite of good oral hygiene observed among AIDS patients.

PIP: Although atypical gingivitis may be an early indicator of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, dental caries and periodontal disease has not been investigated in African HIV patients. To correct this gap in the research, the prevalence of dental caries, gingival inflammation, and oral hygiene was measured in 83 male and female acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients hospitalized in Kinshasa, Zaire, in 1988-89. Most patients were 21-40 years of age; the mean age was 39 years. 32% of these patients has decayed teeth, teeth were missing in 35%, and 5% had fillings. According to the Plaque Index, 69% of the AIDS patients had good oral hygiene. On the other hand, 66% (76% of females and 54% of males) has gingival inflammation, and it was considered severe in 30% of these cases. The only variable that was significantly higher among AIDS patients than healthy individuals in Kinshasa was gingivitis. The high incidence of gingivitis in AIDS patients is most likely a reflection of an impaired immune system and the susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Oral candidiasis was isolated from subgingival plaque in 94% of the cases in this series, suggesting a need for more attention to the role of Candida in the pathogenesis of HIV-related periodontal disease.

Oral manifestations of AIDS in a heterosexual population in a Zaire hospital.

Oral lesions associated with HIV infection as classified by the WHO Collaborative Centre for Oral manifestation of HIV were studied in 83 heterosexual AIDS patients in Kinshasa, Zaire. One or more lesions were fungal (94%), bacterial (33%) and viral (23%). Neoplasm was found in 12% of cases while lesions of unknown etiology in 14%. As location of those lesions, the palate, lips, tongue and the buccal mucosae mostly predominate as sites. The findings from this study were clinically similar to those reported in AIDS in other areas.

PIP: From January 1988-September 1989, dental practitioners performed a comprehensive oral examination on 83 HIV positive patients at the Department of Infectious Diseases, University Clinic of Internal Medicine in Kinshasa, Zaire for a study on prevalence and clinical aspects of oral lesions associated with HIV infection. Women comprised 55.5% of these AIDS patients. They all had oral lesions: 94% fungal, 33% bacterial, 23% viral, 14% unknown origin, and 12% neoplasms. The majority of these oral lesions developed in 31-40 year olds. Further, the 21-30 year olds were more likely to have bacterial infections, especially aggressive periodontitis. Fungal infections occurred most often on the lips, palate, and tongue, while viral infections occurred mainly on the tongue. Kaposi's sarcoma only afflicted the palate. Pseudomembranous candidiasis was the leading fungal infection (32% of all oral lesions) then atrophic (22.8%) and hyperplastic (6%) types. 17% and 16% of all lesions included these bacterial infections: aggressive periodontitis and necrotizing gingivitis respectively. the leading viral infection was hairy leukoplakia (14%) followed by leukoplakia (8%), and herpetic stomatitis (4%). The unknown lesions included ulcers (12%) and a swollen salivary gland )2%). 12% of the examined AIDS patients, mostly 31-50 year olds, had oral Kaposi's sarcoma. They also had it on other parts of the body. Since HIV prevalence in Zaire ranges between 3-8%, all dentists should be cognizant of oral manifestations of HIV which may indeed be the 1st clinical indications of HIV. They should refer any patients with such lesions to a health facility with AIDS specialists for diagnosis and care.