Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , beta 2-Microglobulin/analysis , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Humans , Middle Aged , Prognosis , TanzaniaABSTRACT
The number of patients admitted to Muhimbili Medical Centre, Tanzania, with pericardial effusions rose after the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) began. To investigate a possible relation all patients with suspected pericardial disease admitted between Oct 1, 1987, and March 31, 1989, were studied. 28 of 42 patients (67%) were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 28 of 39 patients (72%) with pericardial effusion were HIV-seropositive compared with 0 of 3 without effusion. More HIV-seronegative than HIV-seropositive patients were receiving antituberculous chemotherapy and had ascites at enrollment. Only 5 of 28 HIV-seropositive patients had clinical signs of AIDS. 9 of 14 HIV-seropositive patients tested had positive Mantoux tests. There were no significant differences between the HIV-seropositive and seronegative groups in the duration of symptoms, laboratory results, X-ray or ultrasound findings, frequency of tamponade, or mortality. 38 patients were treated for tuberculosis. Pericardial effusion is strongly associated with, and an early manifestation of, HIV infection in Tanzania.
PIP: The number of patients admitted to Muhimbili Medical Center, Tanzania, with pericardial effusions rose after the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) began. To investigate a possible relation all patients with suspected pericardial disease admitted between October 1, 1987 and March 31, 1989, were studied. 28 of 42 patients (67%) were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 28 of 39 patients (72%) with pericardial effusion were HIV-seropositive compared with 0 of 3 without effusion. More HIV-seronegative than HIV-seropositive patients were receiving anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and had ascites at enrollment. Only 5 of 28 HIV-seropositive patients had clinical signs of AIDS. 9 of 14 HIV-seropositive patients tested had positive Mantoux tests. There were no significant differences between the HIV-seropositive and seronegative groups in the duration of symptoms, laboratory results, X-ray or ultrasound findings, frequency of tamponade, or mortality. 38 patients were treated for tuberculosis. Pericardial effusion is strongly associated with, and an early manifestation of, HIV infection in Tanzania. (Author's).
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications , Pericardial Effusion/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , HIV Seropositivity/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Pericardial Effusion/diagnosis , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Pericardial Effusion/therapy , Prospective Studies , Tanzania/epidemiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiologySubject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Viral/analysis , Female , HIV Antibodies , HIV Seropositivity/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , TanzaniaABSTRACT
On a total of 934 fibreoptic oesophagogastroduodenoscopies, performed between September, 1978 and September 1981, 122 patients presented with symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding of less than two weeks duration. The most frequent findings were peptic ulcer (40.9%), oesophageal varices (16.4%) and mucosal lesions (7.4% as an isolated finding and a further 16.4% associated with peptic ulcer or varices). Negative endoscopies comprised 24.6% of all 122 patients, but in 19 in whom the bleeding episode preceded the endoscopy by not more than 48 hours, there were none. In 105 patients whose history of haematemesis and/or melaena was not recent, endoscopy was negative in 30%, but in patients without such history in 50%. Haematemesis and melaena are important symptoms and add weight to the indication for endoscopy. The earlier the endoscopy can be done, the greater is the diagnostic yield.
Subject(s)
Endoscopy , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Adult , Duodenal Ulcer/diagnosis , Esophageal and Gastric Varices/diagnosis , Esophagitis/diagnosis , Female , Fiber Optic Technology , Gastritis/diagnosis , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Stomach Ulcer/diagnosisSubject(s)
Endoscopy , Peptic Ulcer/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Fiber Optic Technology , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The clinical, radiological, endoscopic and histological aspects of 46 oesophageal cancers seen over a period of three years are analysed. A history of dysphagia was obtained in 93% of the cases while 87% of them had evident weight loss of varying degrees, making the two the most consistent clinical features; 24% of patients had pulmonary complications. The lower third of the oesophagus was the commonest location of tumours, accounting for 63% of the cases, while 61% of all cancers were of the squamous cell histological variety. Six biopsy specimens yielded negative histology, although the endoscopic visualization and radiological features were consistent with malignant growths.
