[Rapid spread of HIV infections among narcotic addicts]. / Gwaltowny wzrost zakazen HIV wsród narkomanów w Polscé.

In the Institute of Venereology, 5351 patients (75.1% of males, 24.9% females), intravenous drug users (IVDU), have been tested for the presence of HIV antibodies in the period from Jan 1986 to Dec 31 1989. They were patients of detoxication wards and/or pensioners of drug treatment centers. HIV antibodies were determined by the EIA method (Abbott Recombinant HIV-1 EIA test), and positive results were confirmed by the western-blot technique. HIV antibodies were found in 292 patients: 228 males (78.1%) and 64 females (21.9%), which accounts for 5.5% of tested IVDU. In 1986-1987 all tests were negative, although the first HIV infection was confirmed in 1985 in homosexual group. The first positive HIV test in drug addicts was detected in Aug 1988 after testing of 2254 patients. In 1989 276 sera were positive for HIV antibodies (11.2%) among 2471 patients studied. Our study indicates that HIV infection is spreading rapidly in IVDU population. Infections of drug addicts with HIV represent 66% of total detected cases of HIV antibody-positive individuals in Poland; among 30 diagnosed AIDS cases 5 were drug users.

[HIV-1 infection in blood donors and blood recipients]. / Zakazenia HIV-1 u krwiodawców i biorców krwi.

The results of the tests on HIV-1 infection in blood donors in the years 1985-1989 were presented. Out of 3.222.345 serum samples, in 66 donors HIV-1 antibodies were detected. In 1989 the significant raise of HIV-1 carriers, among whom there were 17 intravenous drug users, was noticed. The transmission of HIV-1 infection to 9 blood recipients was proved. Medical examination of 20 infected blood donors revealed in all of them the enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes. In 8 donors candidosis of oral cavity was diagnosed. The undertaken analysis showed the low efficacy of self deferral and pointed out that medical examination before blood donation should be more carefully done.

[Diagnostic and prognostic significance of various changes in the skin and mucous membranes in HIV infection]. / Diagnostyczne i prognostyczne znaczenie niektórych zmian skórnych i blon sluzowych wystepujacych w przebiegu zakazenia HIV.

The prognostic and diagnostic importance of certain cutaneous lesions in HIV infection is discussed. In own patients of interest was the frequency of oral candidiasis (30%) and extensive seborrhoeic changes and persistent eruptions of the type of molluscum contagiosum in a patient with the AIDS-dementia complex which were associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis.

[Results of preliminary clinical studies of patients with HIV antibodies]. / Wyniki wstepnych badan klinicznych osób z przeciwcialami HIV.

In the outpatient clinic of the Institute of Venereology clinical examinations were carried out in 37 patients with HIV infection, who were in a good general condition. In 28 patients peripheral lymphadenopathy was present, with involvement of the lymph nodes in at least two areas besides groins in 15 cases (40.5%). In 11 cases oral candidiasis was present, in one out of 6 females vaginal candidiasis was found. Seven patients (19%) had moderately intense seborrhoea, one (3%) had seborrhoeic dermatitis. Paradontosis was found in 4 patients (11%), 5% had follicular keratinization and 5% had recurrent pharyngitis and high fever. In some cases short-lasting maculoerythematous rash developed on the chest and face or chest and on the legs, recurrent herpes, paraparesis, and a history of short-lasting convulsions developing 6-10 days after alleged infection. In some patients 2 or 3 above mentioned symptoms occurred at the same time.

[Incidence of HIV infection among homosexuals]. / Czestosc zakazen HIV wsród badanych homoseksualistów.

In the period 1985-1988 blood samples were examined of 1297 homosexual and bisexual men. The samples were sent by health service units from the whole country. Anti-HIV antibodies were demonstrated by the EIA method and confirmed by the Western blot technique in the serum of 35 subjects (2.7%). In the second half of 1988 a rise was observed in the number of infections among the tested subjects (10.3%). In Poland similarly as in West Europe and the USA, homosexual and bisexual males are the group of high risk for HIV infection.

[Prevention of HIV infection among drug addicts]. / Zapobieganie zakazeniom HIV u narkomanów.

The studied group comprised 2651 patients from detoxication centres and dehabituation treatment institutions who were addicts taking intravenous drugs (71.5% males and 28.5% females). In 12 patients, including one foreign (from Spain) anti-HIV antibodies were found (0.5%). In the years 1986-1987 all tests gave negative results, the first positive result was obtained in 1988, after testing of nearly 1900 patients. In the second half of 1988 positive results were more frequent, since in a group of 400 subjects tested between August and November 10 were positive (2.5%). This shows that the infection spreads rapidly in this population. At the end of November infections among drug addicts accounted for 12.2% of the total number of HIV-positive cases found in Poland. The authors predict a further rapid spreading of this infection in this risk group and postulated gratuitous providing of addicts with dispensable syringes and needles and condoms, and providing systematic intensive training of the personnel of dehabituation treatment institutions as well as extensive informational education of the addicts.

[Comparative studies between 0.5 percent podophyllotoxin preparations (Condyline) and 20 percent podophyllin dissolved in alcohol, in the therapy of raised condylomas]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen zwischen 0.5% Podophyllotoxin-Präparaten (Condyline) und 20% Podophyllin, gelöst in Alkohol, bei der Therapie von spitzen Kondylomen.

We report on a comparative clinical study on 0.5% condyline solution and cream versus 20% podophyllin solution given to 75 patients suffering from condylomata acuminata. Podophyllin was applied once a week during a 6 weeks hospital care; therapy with condyline was carried out by the patients at home twice a day during 4 consecutive days. After therapy, full remission was obtained in 17 out of the 25 patients (68%) treated with condyline solution, in 17 out of the 26 patients (65%) treated with condyline cream, and in 8 out of the 24 patients (38%) treated with podophyllin. 8 biopsies taken from 6 patients did not reveal any atypical "podophyllin cells". Part of the patients showed transitional irritation, sometimes with erosions, which occurred more often after condyline treatment than after podophyllin therapy. This side effect of the cytotoxic drug, however, is to be expected.